Florence

Simple shrug with minimal shaping and enough ribbing to make you want to top yourself.

Pattern Source: Yarn: # of balls: Notions: Needles: Meterage: Yarn Source: Colour: Dyelot: Material: Size: Started: Finished: Resting Period: Recipient :

Florence Debbie Bliss Cathay 12 balls N/A 4.0 mm 125 m/50g ball John Lewis Claret cotton viscose silk 36 12 April 2006 19 April 2006 None Kristine

I made this shrug for Kristine, substituting the Rowan Luxury Cotton with Debbie Bliss Cathay. The yarns are similar in composition and drape but the Debbie Bliss line offers better meterage and strong colours. Both of these yarns also had a tendency to split. The Debbie Bliss Cathay knits to the same tension as the Rowan Luxury Cotton and works out slightly cheaper too. Personally, I prefer the Debbie Bliss colour palette, wishy-washy pastels are just don't do it for me. The fiber content are not so different, and both yarns are incredibly drapey. I made only one modifications to the orginal pattern and it isn't discernable, but makes it easier for me to mattress stitch it. (I left 2 knit stitches at the edge of the garment)

Just a word of advice, when measuring the 1x1 ribbing length make sure that you stretch the shrug out properly so that you get the right drop for the armhole. When you wear the shrug, the 1x1 rib will stretch horizontally and what you gain in width will mean lost in some length. So if you're not careful, you'll find the armholes too tight. (If you have problems picking up the recommended stitches for the sleeve, that's a good sign that the armhole will be too small.



Project Notes

1. It's important to read the instructions carefully and to measure carefully. The fabric is very stretchy, so you need to stetchy out the ribbing to the the right width before measuring the length or your armholes will end up too small



2. Interesting construction too. Not at all obvious, so you had to trust the instructions and just do what it says.



3. Never ending ribbing.



4. Increasing for the shawl collar



5.Back and front of finished garment Here's the artsy shot.





Modelled by the lovely Kristine





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