Big Shrug

Finally done with this shrug!! I only started it 7½ years ago before I moved to Sweden. I was determined to finish it. I was really put off by it because the pattern wasn't making sense. I couldn't figure out at the time that I needed to move the markers one stitch every 8 rows. I didn't really have enough yarn to make it as long as I needed for myself but I did block it too long and it was way too long. I will most likely rewash it and block it so it isn't so big. It is not so comfortable because it is so big. I really like how the pattern turned out and think it will be really useful. The pattern is from Wool You Order and the yarn and kit I bought at Blackberry Ridge. The wool is very nice though I wish there had been enough to make 2 more pattern repeats. I forgot which needles I used on the first cuff so I am not sure I used the same ones for the second cuff. It did seem a bit loose.

Corn Cob Bunting

I started on this present for a friend of mine that is having a baby. I found the pattern on Lion Brand Yarns. When I saw the pattern I knew it was a perfect present for them. I had planned on doing it in baby superwash wool but the lady at the yarn store recommended this soft cotton. I am not really fond of the cotton yarn because it is slippery and makes the tension not so good but I am pleased with how it is turning out. I did a sample of the corn part and it was really cute. I think they will like it.

Wrap Skirt

I found this link to a wrap skirt from the Sense and Sensibility forum for a wrap skirt. First it was someone asking how to make it then someone else posted a link (second page) on how to make them, so I got some fabric out and tried it out. I love the skirt and hope to modify it and make more some day. It was really fast to make.

Nap Shawl

Here is another shawl finished finally! I started it 6 years ago at least but just didn't really like it so it was put away until recently. I spun the yarn myself, it is Swedish Finn wool but the quality really wasn't very good so it was a pain to spin. I had gotten nearly done and ran out of yarn so because I didn't like spinning this wool I put it off. I finally forced myself to spin more of it last month before going into the hospital, then I washed it. After washing it I realized that I hadn't washed the first yarn I used only had steamed it. There was a huge difference in colour and I was worried that it wouldn't turn out right but it seems to not have affected it too much just a little colour difference now that it is clean and dry. I did buy more of this wool half way though the shawl and maybe it was different. The pattern is from the company Wool You Order and it is a variation of a Shetland Hap shawl. The pattern was pretty easy to understand but was a bit boring after a while. I got almost done and needed to spin more again so I did it the other day and only needed it for the last few rows. I did end it about 7 rows early and I didn't use their edge method I only bound off loosely because I thought it was too tight the other way. I used my blocking wires again to block it out. I do wish I had a board still for blocking but the one I had got broken and also smells like the shed so I don't like using it. The wires really work well just would be nice to be able to pin them instead of using safety pins to hold them out.