FO: Little Girls Shrug

Pattern: #288 Little Girl’s Shrug by Diane Soucy, bought from Patternfish
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Baby Steps, approx. two-thirds x 100g in colour: White (the version I found in Sainsbury’s comes in 100g balls rather than 113g balls)
Needles: 4mm and 3¼mm circs, and 3½mm dpns (because apparently I don’t have any 3¼mm dpns)

Firstly, a quick thank you for all the sympathetic comments on my too-wide cardigan. I really appreciated all the advice and will try a) tumble drying then b) finding a wide-shouldered person and finally c) donating it to charity. But I did enjoy then knitting, love making leafy patterns and that’s what I should concentrate on.

But now to a FO that is simply perfect because all small people look splendid in whatever they wear.

I’ve knitted this shrug before, anyway, but even so it is such an easy and quick knit. However, I had the same problem as last time in that I had the wrong stitch count after dividing for the sleeves. I imagine I had the wrong stitch count beforehand, but one absolutely tiny complaint I have with this pattern is that none are given other than the number of stitches across the back at each stage. When you’re increasing all over the place and then casting on stitches for the front bands, there’s lots of scope of error and though its only a couple of stitches, it’s a bit annoying.

I knitted the ribbed edging this time because I didn’t do it before and fancied a change. I think I actually prefer it; it ties with the sleeve and neck edging and looks rather sophisticated. The wee daisy button was from my stash and hopefully looks cute but not too babyish. It makes a change from sticking wooden buttons on everything.

Because it is (FINALLY!) such a gorgeous day, we had a little photoshoot in the garden:

“I won’t get out of bed for less than ten bags of chocolate buttons a day.”

“What do you think of my new shrug?”

though it’s already getting too hot to spend much time out of the shade. I am NOT complaining, though, absolutely not!

The yarn was really nice to knit with. I did knit it at a tighter tension than recommended for this pattern; ideally it should have been a DK-weight yarn. But it isn’t stiff. Helpfully, it will be a breeze to wash, as I’m not under any illusions that a white cardigan will stay pristine for very long.

This time next week I will be halfway out of the door as I leave for a couple of weeks. About time I sorted out the holiday knits!