Wow! It's March Already!

I keep meaning to post, but I can never seem to get here. All my knitting pics are at home, on another computer, but I'll fill you in. The Evelyn Clark Trellis scarf from the current Interweave Knits is history. I've come to the conclusion that I just can't count. Maybe I'll pick it up sometime when I don't have so many distractions. My latest is project is the Wool Peddler's Shawl from this book:and I see that KnitPicks has it for a great price. I bought my yarn for this from KnitPicks, Wool of the Andes in Red, and while I'm not affiliated with the company, I do love them! I would say I've been lucky, but anyone that knows me knows that couldn't be true. Maybe we could call it dumb luck. I have to admit that I had problems with the pattern. The first part, the incredibly easy and boring garter stitch was okay, but as soon as I got to the lace part, it didn't make sense. I usually use charts, but I couldn't seem to make the chart fit the stitches. Then again, even the written instructions threw me. It looks okay, but I'm sure there are mistakes. I roamed around the internet, looking for someone else who had trouble understanding the chart and/or instructions, but apparently no one else was losing brain cells as rapidly as I was. I know how to follow instructions, how to read a chart, but this one was confusing. I'm used to reversing the pattern after the center stitch, but apparently not on this shawl. And they have lace pattern section 1 and section 2, but they didn't come right out and say which one to use where. I guess they just assume that after 27 years of knitting you could figure it out on your own. And another thing - they show your markers, but why are there 11 stitches between them instead of 10?? I'm so confused! I have found that I've had good luck with shawl charts from Fiddlesticks, even thought there are usually a lot of them for each shawl. I made this without one confusing moment. Okay, maybe one, but it was a fast moving moment.
I'm trying to get the Wool Peddler's Shawl done for my sister's bday, the 27th of this month. She'll be here on the 22nd, so I'm on the line. Before I forget, let me rant about garter stitch. If you try to ladder down to fix any kind of mistake, it's a bitch to pick up again. I like stockinette. All hail stockinette.
I'll leave you with a picture of what little boys will do with a digital camera.Look Pa Tee, I'm taking a picture of Toby's butt with your cramera! (Yes, cRamera).