Birthday Shawlette

I have always known my older sister was better than me in every way. Smarter, prettier, more popular, perhaps… more loved? Growing up I was merely a secondary planet in orbit around her blue-eyed, golden-haired magnificence. She did everything first, better, and with a self-confidence I just never had. She is also a much better knitter than I am (she says I’m better, but she’s just being nice).

So when I decided to make her a birthday shawl, I selected Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in a beautiful Twilight color for her, and (not wanting to be left out), picked an even prettier color for myself, secretly thinking my shawl would look better than hers. I eagerly cast on, and as her shawl grew, so did my love for it. When it was finished, I wore it once or twice to make sure it was good enough for her (like a food-taster for the Queen), and everyone else loved it too! I reluctantly gave it away to her on her birthday, and turned instead to make my own shawl.

Well, the