The Daily Purl Temptation.

Hi. Does this look familiar to you at all? This gorgeous, gorgeous fibery goodness? Do you read Brooke's blog? If you don't, you should. Go now and add her to your blogroll. You won't regret it. Though I must warn you, there's a very good reason that I've taken it upon myself to re-name her blog The Daily Temptation. Because that's what it is for me. Daily. Temptation.



Let's get back to the fiber at hand. If you DO read her blog, you'll surely recognize the fibery goodness above. Let me refresh your memory: this. Look familiar now? And how about this? Perhaps after the first glimpse, I could have gotten over seeing it. The Beaverslide 2-ply mule-spun yarn in Cottontail. But she just had to keep posting about it. Who could blame her? Not me, certainly. This must easily be the most beautiful yarn I've seen or felt in a good long while.



And so I caved. Big time. I am now the very, very VERY happy owner and coveter of six glorious skeins of Beaverslide cottontail. That's 65% fine Beaverslide merino and 35% of the finest kid mohair. Oh, it is heavenly. I've never had such a crush on any yarn before. And my next-sweater-dilemma is officially over. I've been floundering about trying to find my next big project. (Don't worry, Mom! Your Saffron Aud is progressing just fine! Okay, maybe be a *smidge* worried). I swatched a few things and researched and pondered a few more, but nothing congealed to anything even near certainty or excitement. Until this loveliness showed up on Brooke's blog. And then it appeared in my mailbox. Eurkea and eureka some more! The Cottontail Cardigan, it shall be. The Norah Gaughan v-neck number from the Fall 2006 Vogue Knitting magazine, to be exact. Very excited.



Speaking of thrilling crafty gorgeousness, did you happen to notice the amazing little minaudière from which the cottontail has been peeking? That, my friends, is my new Zakka pouch, designed and made by none other than the amazing Nora. You know, of Good Yarn Karma fame. (If you don't read Nora's blog, you should. Go, now, and add her to your blogroll. Then come back, of course, and read the rest of my post.)



This pouch is absolutely beautiful. So well designed. So well constructed. So full of amazing details. So perfect for my new perfect project. And just look at that fabric!



Any and all of you who are able to operate a sewing machine, you can find Nora's Zakka pouch tutorial here. It's a very good thing I *can't* work one of those whirring things with a big plying needle-tooth, 'cause otherwise I wouldn't be able to stop myself from making a million of these bags. Love.



Gorgeous details aplenty!



This is me full of contentment. Beautiful project imminently on the needles, perfect project pouch to keep it tucked safely into. Really, does it get any better than this? Heaven. I'm experiencing it. Thank you for the inspiration, Brooke. And THANK YOU for the stitchy-sewy magic, Nora!

And, wow, thanks so much to everyone who commented on my chevron scarf!! I heart it, and I'm glad you all are in agreement! (I have a feeling this scarf will show up again on my blog... Can't. Stop. Photographing. It.)