I have always known my older sister was better than me in every way. Smarter, prettier, more popular, perhaps… more loved? Growing up I was merely a secondary planet in orbit around her blue-eyed, golden-haired magnificence. She did everything first, better, and with a self-confidence I just never had. She is also a much better knitter than I am (she says I’m better, but she’s just being nice).

So when I decided to make her a birthday shawl, I selected Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in a beautiful Twilight color for her, and (not wanting to be left out), picked an even prettier color for myself, secretly thinking my shawl would look better than hers. I eagerly cast on, and as her shawl grew, so did my love for it. When it was finished, I wore it once or twice to make sure it was good enough for her (like a food-taster for the Queen), and everyone else loved it too! I reluctantly gave it away to her on her birthday, and turned instead to make my own shawl.

Well, the strangest thing happened. My shawl just did not look as pretty as hers! Even though I had preferred my color, it could not compete with the Twilight, simply because it was not hers! Disgusted with myself, I eventually broke down, frogged it, and ordered another skein of Twilight from Jimmy Bean’s. Now on top of Shawl Envy, I was ladened with Yarn Guilt! What would a psychologist say about all this? (Oh wait, my SISTER has her doctorate in Psychology, we could ask HER!)

My shawl is now completed, made as much like hers as I could remember; I love it, but will never put it next to hers, fearing I might find some other reason to think hers is better. If you like it, you might want to make one for YOUR sister in her favorite color! But I suggest you get two skeins, just in case…