Dude.  Seriously.  Check this out…

Namaste Cali Laguna knitting bag in “Peacock”

Oh ya, I’m bustin’ out the big-size picture for that one!  This is the new color from Namaste, apparently.  It’s called “peacock.”  At least, I know I haven’t seen it before and it wasn’t available when I ordered my bag a couple weeks back.  I’d ordered the olive color, which is definitely lovely.  But this color… is my color.

As a matter of fact, I cast on a Clapotis tonight out of Malabrigo Worsted that just so happens to be pretty much the exact same color!  Hey, at least I have consistant taste when it comes to my color choices.

So anyway, I am so freakin’ excited about this bag!  Like I mentioned, I’d ordered the Cali Laguna a couple weeks ago and it was due to come in sometime in mid-June, I believe.  Well tonight, Pat (the owner of my much-loved LYS) walked in with this bag on her arm, which I believe she brought back from TNNA.  Everyone fell in LOVE with the new color.  I commented that I’d wished I had waited to order mine because I liked this color even better than the olive … and she let me have this one!

… So yes, I think that makes reason #9,879 why I love my LYS. 

I’m planning on carrying this as a purse and knitting bag.  I already found spots for my wallet, checkbook, chapstick, and cell phone (I’m a just-the-essentials kinda girl when it comes to that stuff).  I still have tons of room leftover.  I think I could easily carry three small projects (like socks or small lace scarves) or one big project and a small one.  I can’t believe how roomy this bag is!  No more carrying two bags to work every day!  I’ll have pleny of room to tuck a paperback novel in here too.  Yay!!

Speaking of projcts, I have maybe 20 more rows to go and then I’ll be done with my Hug Me shrug.  It’s technically supposed to get a crochet edge, but I think I may leave it off.  I could always go back and put it on later if I feel like it.  I can’t wait to take it to work.  I’m planning on keeping it in my cubicle for those days when I get chilly (which is pretty much every day — our office’s a/c is COLD!).

So because I was almost done with that, I decided to go and cast on a new project.  (Heh, heh.)  As I mentioned, I’m working on my very first Clapotis, using Malabrigo worsted.  I’ve never knitted with Malabrigo before, but I’d heard such good things about it that I was really psyched when my LYS got it in stock.  I got 4 skeins in the Emerald colorway.  Emerald doesn’t really describe it, in my opinion.  It’s much more teal or peacock-colored rather than emerald.  I noticed that the skeins are twisted so tightly that it’s kind of deceptive — it doesn’t feel nearly as soft on the skein.  But knitting with it?  Oooohh heaven.  I think I have a new favorite yarn, at least for worsted-weight.

Finally, I started sketching a cute little fair isle pattern in my knitting-notepad today.  I know it’s not very complex, but I’m really liking it.  Who knows when I’ll actually have time to attempt knitting it up though.  But I do have the yarn I want to use… he he.

Anyway, it’s late and I’m on this kick where I’d like to attempt to get my lazy arse out of bed early in the morning to exercise (I desperately need to shed some pounds, and it’s waaaay too damn hot to work out in the afternoons) and eat a healthy breakfast.  We’ll see that goes. ;)  But if I’m going to stand a chance, I best get to bed soon…