Vintage Find: Geometric Scarf

I enjoy searching for treasures. So when I found a $1.99 vintage scarf at St. Vincent de Paul, I thought it was a bargain.

Brand: Echo
Made in Japan
100% Silk

The scarf features gray and yellow geometric lines, and it is in excellent condition.

At the checkout, the cashier looked at the scarf. "Is that all you are getting?"

"Yes." I tried to hand her my debit card.

"It's yours."

I wasn't sure I understood her. "Excuse me?"

She indicted the door. "It's yours. Have a nice day."

I thanked her several times before I left.

In the car, I reviewed what had just happened. I am fairly certain she did not want to run the card because of merchant charges. I felt blessed by the cashier's gift, but I knew that I could not accept it. While I do not have a lot of money, I live comfortably. I found some change and went back into the store to put it in the donation jar.

And I will do it again the next time I visit.

St. Vincent de Paul seeks to end poverty through systemic change. Donations provide direct assistant to the local community; they provide aid for those who cannot afford bills such as funeral expenses, job training, and rent. Many Jackson residents struggle with basic needs, and St. Vincent de Paul does its best to serve them.

It is wonderful to snag a deal, but shopping at thrift shops has a greater purpose: supporting the less fortunate. 

Baby Booties

You may remember this mystery knitting project from several weeks ago. My friends Rachel and Ben just welcomed their first child, a son, into the world. Rachel and I became friends when I moved to Eaton Rapids, and I am very excited for her. I surprised her with a pair of knit baby booties.

Rachel has done volunteer work in the past, so I thought it appropriate to use a Bundles of Love pattern. I knit a pair for her son and another for the charity.

Pattern: Easy Knitted Booties via Bundles of Love
Yarn: Naturally Caron Spa
Needles: US Size 8
Changes: Crochet bind off rather than ribbed bind off. Crochet seams.

The yarn is an acrylic bamboo blend; it is light and silky. It is machine washable and dryable which makes it versatile and perfect for baby booties.

I knit the booties at the same time so that they would be the same size.

My bind off is usually tight, so I learned how to use the crochet bind off for this project. I love how it turned out!

I did not want to do seams, but my dpns are buried in my craft room. Instead of sewing the seams I used the crochet method. 

I recommend this pattern if you need to knit a quick gift. I knit the booties in an evening. The pattern has clear instructions and is easy to memorize. 

Congratulations to Rachel and Ben!