Fascinating Japanese Knitting

Here's an interesting one for you. I still get emails from Threadbear Fiber Arts- the neatest yarn shop owned by two of the neatest guy knitters ever. I used to shop with them when they were in Indiana- it was a pretty solid drive to get out there, but the shop was worth it. Now they have relocated to Lansing, Michigan and I'm back in Maryland, but they still send really interesting emails. They offer great (and cheap!) classes, and I am particularly intrigued by a new line they are carrying: Habu from Japan. I decided to check out their site to see if anyone local carries their stuff, since it sounds interesting. I also had heard that Japanese patterns are interesting to knit. Well it sure seems so. This is their main website and if you go through they have a diagram which explains (sort of) how to knit to Japanese directions. See for yourself. Threadbear is doing a class with their local rep, but I figure it might be fun to try and do it on my own... the instructions mostly make sense. I think. Apparently WoolWorks in Baltimore carries their yarns. So does Stitch DC right here in town! So I think I may take a field trip soon. Here are some of their yarns available online, if you are so inclined to view them- I want to touch them before ordering. Pretty Yarns

But I am not allowed to do anything until I get my Mystery Stole 3 underway. Also, here's a picture of the other shawl I cast on for- I hate it. I hate that I have to knit the collar part first. I will get over my antipathy at some point, because the finished product is so beautiful- but maybe I'll work on it this fall: I'm even working it in this colorway.