Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl (ravel it!)
Designer: Susan Lawrence
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino, 2 skeins, Raspberry
Needle: Size 8 circular
Started: Oct. 6, 2008
Finished: Oct. 13, 2008
The New York Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck was rapidly approaching and I knew I couldn't finish an entire sweater in time; silly of me to even fantasize such a thing. One Sunday afternoon on my way home from the weekly Fairway run, I stopped in Brooklyn General (c'mon, there was a SALE sign in the window!) and spied the Malabrigo Silky Merino. Such gorgeous colors! My hand instinctively reached for the Raspberry. I love eating Raspberries almost as much as I love knitting. Raspberries are one of those 'desert island' choices for me.
I'd been contemplating this shawl after seeing the success of an Acorn version, and knew I could pull off a decent handknit before the big weekend. I cast on the next day and voila! One week later I had a small shawl, enough to wear under a jacket or on its own.
I did wear it over the weekend and with the chill in the air, it was super nice to have such a soft, cozy knit around my neck! And it offered a spot of pretty color (not to say that there wasn't a ton of color all around, cause boy, oh boy, it was colorful in Rhinebeck!)
This one used nearly 2 skeins and went 14 repeats. To save time I omitted the points and just ran a 2 row garter edge. I have another skein and conceivably could go back and make this bigger, adding the pointy edges. Doubtful it would be worth it at this point. Maybe the last skein will be a gifted hat instead.
I'm a reluctant fan of the Malabrigo yarns. I love the colors. I love the hand dyed heathers you get from a kettle dye process. I love the super soft, put 'er right next to the skin quality, And I love the smooth knittability of the yarn.
But the fact is, Malabrigo is a single ply, thus prone to fuzzing up and pilling. To me, it gets to looking like an unmade bed pretty darn fast. It also doesn't seem to have the springy 'memory' that multi-ply yarns have. That means it looks a little limpy and weaky after a time. Of course, it probably doesn't help that I blocked the living daylights out of this shawl. Good thing it's not a sweater. Shawls and hats are perfect for this yarn.
This is a project I will most certainly do again. Maybe with a worsted weight organic yarn or with my own future handspun (yes, people!! I picked up a drop spindle in Rhinebeck...).
Now, I know you are all dying to hear about my weekend in Rhinebeck. I promise to post the pictures and tell you all what I learned and even give you a sneak peek at the newest stash buddies. Soon.
Designer: Susan Lawrence
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino, 2 skeins, Raspberry
Needle: Size 8 circular
Started: Oct. 6, 2008
Finished: Oct. 13, 2008
The New York Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck was rapidly approaching and I knew I couldn't finish an entire sweater in time; silly of me to even fantasize such a thing. One Sunday afternoon on my way home from the weekly Fairway run, I stopped in Brooklyn General (c'mon, there was a SALE sign in the window!) and spied the Malabrigo Silky Merino. Such gorgeous colors! My hand instinctively reached for the Raspberry. I love eating Raspberries almost as much as I love knitting. Raspberries are one of those 'desert island' choices for me.
I'd been contemplating this shawl after seeing the success of an Acorn version, and knew I could pull off a decent handknit before the big weekend. I cast on the next day and voila! One week later I had a small shawl, enough to wear under a jacket or on its own.
I did wear it over the weekend and with the chill in the air, it was super nice to have such a soft, cozy knit around my neck! And it offered a spot of pretty color (not to say that there wasn't a ton of color all around, cause boy, oh boy, it was colorful in Rhinebeck!)
This one used nearly 2 skeins and went 14 repeats. To save time I omitted the points and just ran a 2 row garter edge. I have another skein and conceivably could go back and make this bigger, adding the pointy edges. Doubtful it would be worth it at this point. Maybe the last skein will be a gifted hat instead.
I'm a reluctant fan of the Malabrigo yarns. I love the colors. I love the hand dyed heathers you get from a kettle dye process. I love the super soft, put 'er right next to the skin quality, And I love the smooth knittability of the yarn.
But the fact is, Malabrigo is a single ply, thus prone to fuzzing up and pilling. To me, it gets to looking like an unmade bed pretty darn fast. It also doesn't seem to have the springy 'memory' that multi-ply yarns have. That means it looks a little limpy and weaky after a time. Of course, it probably doesn't help that I blocked the living daylights out of this shawl. Good thing it's not a sweater. Shawls and hats are perfect for this yarn.
This is a project I will most certainly do again. Maybe with a worsted weight organic yarn or with my own future handspun (yes, people!! I picked up a drop spindle in Rhinebeck...).
Now, I know you are all dying to hear about my weekend in Rhinebeck. I promise to post the pictures and tell you all what I learned and even give you a sneak peek at the newest stash buddies. Soon.
6 comments:
Beautiful wrap!! Love the color.
that looks great! Gorgeous shawl!
I have been holding off on buying Malabrigo, and I appreciate your review. Someday I'll get a ball of it and try it out...
Glad to see you last night! I hope we can get the group going again soon!
that came out great! i was hoping to run into you guys. i got a drop spindle as well and tried my hand at it last night with the help of youtube and a book. let's just say that it's a good thing that i was in the mood for some slub yarn last week... i have some now :)
we should plan to have a spin get together sometimes.
Can't wait to read your views on Rhinebeck! Post lots of pics.
The Raspberry is putting the Acorn to shame!! Love it, such a great pattern:)
oh, that's a gorgeous color! nice shawl!! (pardon me while I catch up on some blog reading! LOL)
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