Winding Yarn

Have I whined enough about hating to wind yarn from hanks into balls? I really, really, really dislike it. Monday night, I began winding the beautiful Baruffa Cashwool in perwinkle purple in anticipation of beginning my mom's Icarus Shawl. I had a glorious hour while watching Heroes and winding with absolutely no problem. After an hour, knots galore. Where did they come from? I wasn't doing anything different than before - but the knots just kept coming. I spent another hour just trying to get anywhere. I went to bed (angry) with this much wound:



Two little balls. And those weren't even wound well. You can see how loose the strands are and imagine the knots once I start tugging on them.

Tuesday I went home and tackled the yarn again (in a bit better spirits). I worked for at least another two hours on this and finally got it done! I could have wept tears of joy. Anyway, I began Icarus:



I completed the first chart and am now beginning the repeats on it. Loving it!! The charts are easy to read and follow; the pattern is intuitive. The yarn is so soft and lovely in my fingers; the new Addi Turbo needles are a dream. What more could one ask for? This is why I love to knit. Now if I could only get the winding part down... I would love for the entire process to be enjoyable. But there's still one big, sticky part that I dread. Would an umbrella swift change my life??? I can only hope.