Mara me, please

When I first saw Mara, I loved her but when I took a closer look at the styling in the photo, I hated it. Too "I'm a cowgurl and I'm about to eat a big ass lobster and I need a big ass wool bib." And since I don't like seafood, the image burned on my brain of the model with her wool bib pulling up to the table holding a huge knife and fork in each hand with her elbows firmly planted on the table was just too much for me. 


All of this is not to say the model isn't pretty and feminine but the sight of this chick slouching against the wall while wearing her lobster bib, shorts and high heels made me click on the red "X" and look for something else. Is that a barn door she's leaning against or the lobby of a well-heeled restaurant? Is she about to go ride a raging bull? Did she leave her hair salon in a hurry? Is she just waiting for a galpal for drinks?

In spite of all the inner commotion caused by this badly styled photo, I continued to be drawn to Mara over and over. I took a look at other project photos and she began to grow on me all over again. I looked at the remainder of the photos from the pattern and all I can say is, it is truly astounding what better styled photos can do for your garment design. 

(Can someone please, please talk to the "stylists" over at Interweave Press and let them know they do a fairly shitty job of styling what are often lovely garments ... Show-off Ruffle skirt being a prime example ... thanks).   

I have the most glorious yarn for Mara. It was purchased a year and a half ago at Seed Stitch during one of their clearance sales. It was still pretty spendy but not nearly as much as the original cost per skein which was about $25.00 and I think that's obscene for yarn that isn't even 70 yards. I'm not bending over for that. It's Road to China from The Fibre Company and while the temptation is strong to purchase it full  price and feast on peanut butter for the remainder of the month, someone has to reign you in and talk some sense into you. There is pretty yarn and there is pretty yarn on clearance. Indulging in the latter is best for everyone, again considering each skein is barely 70 yards. The color is  Topaz and it's 65% alpaca, 15% silk, 10% camel and 10% cashmere. All in all a fine smooshy, squishy, soft piece of heaven. I cast on last night just before giving in and going to sleep. It's going to be quite something.