I did over pack for Knoxville in terms of knitting projects at least. I did most of the driving down, which left little time for knitting, and I drove more than half the way back as well. I didn’t anticipate a lot of knitting time while I was actually there.
Still, I got that multicolored shrug finished. It was only a partial success.
Oh, it is lovely enough, and it looks just the way I imagined, at least when it is flat on the table. But it isn’t what I imagined on me.
I used this pattern:
Which uses Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande. I did try the sample on at my LYS and liked it so I wasn’t going in completely blind. And truthfully my finished shrug looks a lot like the photo on the pattern, but not exactly. The Nashua Vignette is wool and is a knitted tape and it has much more spring to it than the brushed alpaca yarn called for in the pattern. So my vest, although knitted to the same gauge, holds its shape much better and clings much more to the body. The overall impression is that it is thicker and bouncier and springier, giving it an entirely different drape on the body….not the look I was going for.
I should have known better. I am vaguely aware of the differences in fibers and how they work, although I am now thinking that perhaps I should get myself a copy of that new book:
The Knitter’s Book of Yarn.
Although the finished garment doesn’t look bad on, I am still on the fence. It doesn’t go with the outfit I planned to wear it with, but I have another outfit in mind, once I make the dress that is.
In the meantime I am knitting another version, this time in the recommended yarn, so I will wait until I see version #2 before making a final decision. It shouldn’t be much longer:
Comments
4 responses to “1 shrug done, one in process”
Boo! Oddly enough, I didn’t think the difference in the yarn would make that much of a difference in the finished garment. Bring it for show and tell.
Boo! Oddly enough, I didn’t think the difference in the yarn would make that much of a difference in the finished garment. Bring it for show and tell.
Both shrugs look nice. However, I know what you mean about the wool one. Since I often use alpaca, I have learned to never sub it for wool. Its properties are very much different than wool. In a word, floppy. Which can be a good thing at times. 🙂
Both shrugs look nice. However, I know what you mean about the wool one. Since I often use alpaca, I have learned to never sub it for wool. Its properties are very much different than wool. In a word, floppy. Which can be a good thing at times. 🙂