I would tell you a thrilling yarn, filled with perilous adventure and tender romance, of epic battles and heroic rescues, daring duels in the streets of 15th century Florence, and deadly encounters with crazed zombies. A tale of vows made and promises kept, despite barriers of time, distance, and youthful passion. It is an unlikely tale, almost unbelievable, yet it is true. I would tell you this thrilling yarn, but alas dear reader, it is not mine to tell; my daughter would kill me… And so I draw a veil across that tender tale, and speak instead of my own thrilling yarn:

My quest began a month ago to find a perfect silver yarn for the oh-so-special Prom date shawl. For weeks I searched in vain, encountering and rejecting yarns professing to be “silver” which instead hoarded veins of gray or white. I began to doubt I would ever find the treasure of pure silver yarn that I sought. And then, with only days to go, I discovered the mother-lode, hidden in a bin in the far corner of Granny’s Yarn Shoppe! Pure silver, shiny as tinsel, yet so flexible and smooth! I rushed home with my treasure trove of Oso Blanco Scoubidu, and began the dance.

Well, I soon realized this yarn had supernatural powers. It was impossible to knit with (at least, for me); my stitches gaped back at me in loose abandon. Once again I turned to my back pocket and pulled out a crochet hook from the drawer. Yes, I could crochet with it, but only through a Supreme Force of Will. Every stitch must be carefully controlled, no “speed crocheting” on this project, else the precious silver would slip off the hook.

The best things in life (and crocheting) are worth fighting for. This yarn was possessed with magical properties; it was so silvery, I expected metallic fragments in my lap, but no matter how many times I frogged in my design stumbles, it never flaked, and never became “tired” (though I tired!). I admit it was stronger than me, yet as we battled I eventually won its allegiance. Together we completed the epic “Hearts Row,” as I wielded my steel 00 crochet hook in triumph!

So the shawl is done; my daughter loved it, she wore it and looked beautiful. I have come to the end of my thrilling yarn (or almost, half a ball is left). So, until the next adventure my friend, be of brave heart and stalwart steel, and do not shrink from the good fight!

*********** Thanks, Mandy and Fern! ***************

Many thanks to PurpleHooker for her editing, and to EffinEffie for her editing, test-crocheting, and sympathetic ear!