I am happy to report felting success!  I took the unfeltable ball to my sister Ginger's house, and I made use of her washing machine.  One round, and it was definitely felting.  It will still take a second round of agitation to complete the process, but at least I have confirmation that I can felt this project.

So, what I have learned is:

4 wimpy cycles in my washing machine + one in my sister's = an almost felted ball!


I am now utterly convinced that my clothes have not really been clean at least since I moved into this apartment last August.  I may be doing all of my washing at my sister's.  Won't she be glad to hear that!


In other knitting news, I have been told that I may soon be admitted to the RAOK ring - which is very exciting.  I have been reading with some jealousy about Jenifer's gifts.  I am the sort of person who likes playing Secret Santa (at the appropriate time of year, of course), because I enjoy surprising people with gifts.  In fact, I often find myself significantly less interested in what I get (sorry to all my Secret Santas out there).  I am a giver, in other words.  Well, at least when it comes to surprises.  I've never been good at receiving surprises, although I always seem to wish that someone would surprise me.  The real fun, though, is in figuring out what the other peson might like that they don't yet know they want/need.

In other Jenifer news, I am pleased to announce that, since reading her blog entry about her amazing parking karma, it seems to have rubbed off on me!  I have been to Whole Foods twice today (don't ask).  This is perhaps the worst parking lot ever built by man (and I am quite certain a man designed it).  Yet both times I went there today, I managed to get spots right at the front of the lot, near the store.  You might think this is because it is Easter, and no one is venturing out of their houses.  But you'd be wrong.  The store was packed both times, and I was the lucky one with the parking karma.  Thank you, Jenifer!  Let's hope this lasts...