Laceweight June 21, 2007
The yarn—Cashwool in Pearl from Lane Borgosesia—and beads for the Mystery Stole 3 all 
arrived in yesterday’s post. I opened up the yarn box from The Loopy Ewe first. Dave was sitting on the opposite couch. As I took the yarn out of its tissue wrapper, he exclaimed. He loves it. While it’s definitely not necessary that Dave love everything I make, nor everything I make it from, it certainly is nice when it happens.
Talk about soft. This yarn is 100% extra fine merino. Ooh. Wait! I haven’t smelled it yet. Hold on. Oh yeah. That’s loverly. It smells… Warm. Cuddly. Inviting. 
Then I opened the box with the beads from Fire Mountain Gems. Not knowing exactly what would go best with the yarn, or what look I’d want when I got that far, I got four different ones. Clockwise from the top left they are: silver lined, clear, gray/lilac ceylon, peacock inside color. Though beautiful, the gray/lilac are probably eliminated right from the start. They just don’t go that well with this yarn. When I do my testing, I’ll try them anyway. One never knows. Same thing with the silver lined beads. The clear will probably all but disappear, but add intriguing sparkle. Then there are the stunning peacock beads. If I don’t use them for this, I’ll have to find something fabulous to use them for. I love these beads.
I haven’t dealt with Fire Mountain before this, they were highly recommended by ladies on Ravelry. 
I have to say, that when I eventually need beads again, I’ll definitely go back. They shipped the first business day after my order, packaged the beads up safely, and securely in the box, and even sent along a little flower-bead pendant as a thank you gift.
I was really, really, really hoping to get my forget-me-not socks done before Summer of Socks officially started today, so I could cast on my first pair of socks for the knit along with everyone else. I’m about half way done with the toe decreases, so if I concentrate on sock knitting instead of other things I really should be doing, maybe I’ll be able to finish them up. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
On another note entirely, check out the Billboard #1 hits list. “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin was the number one hit the day I was born. Cool. It’s an awesome song.
Robin June 21
I wanna smell………jeez. I always order my beads from Fire Mountain. Have you gotten a catalog yet? They’re huge!! You can’t possibly look at everything, and they have everything.
KarenJoSeattle June 21
The yarn is lovely and such a soft and pretty color.
Interestingly, based on the photos, which I clicked before I read your comments, I’d choose the grey/lilac beads as firtst choice.
–Deb June 21
That Cashwool is gorgeous stuff, isn’t it? I know have three skeins of it . . . I mean, you can’t beat the price!
Susan B. June 22
Hi Laura!
I did some searching on Ravelry & saw the Cashwool listed several times as what people were using for MS3 and so I decided to give it a shot myself (partially - I have to admit - because I’ve wanted to place an order w/ the Loopy Ewe for **so** long now!) I’m thrilled that you chose the Pearl colour, partially because that’s what I ultimately went with and also because I’m 99% sure I’m going beadless - so now I can compare/contrast beadless versus beaded with the exact same yarn to see which I ultimately prefer as things move along!
:)
~Kristie June 22
I broke down and ordered some Cashwool myself in black for MS3. I’ve opted to not work with the beads on mine, so it will be fun comparing the difference. Now I want my yarn to get here quick so I can smell too!!
Brenda June 22
Beautiful yarn! It looks so soft. Peacock finish beads are rather magical. Looks like you are going to have fun!