designer knock-off

i posted a photo of me wearing this at my friend's wedding, but have not yet had a chance to do the write up on the project. forgive my tardiness. i was frantically knitting it, so there was no time to even announce it had been started. the details...

Anthropologie Knock-off Shrug
pattern by Julsey at PeonyKnits

knit in two skeins of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande (100% Superfine Baby Alpaca color #500--black) on size 10 US circular needles

this little darling came from Ms. PeonyKnits deciding she could make up the pattern for a sweater being sold at the store Anthroplogie for far too much money. (everything at Anthropologie is expensive, but it is beautiful!) it was inspired by their "First Frost Capelet" for sale in the Winter 2005 catalogue. follow the link to PeonyKnits if you would like to see her original version.

hers was knit in Rowan Polar in a cream color. Polar is now discontinued, so i went with the Baby Grande. i also decided i would get more wear out of black, even though the dress i made it to go with is cream and black.

i only made one major change, which is the original is intended to be worn with the reverse sockinette side as the "right side" and i chose to have the sockinette side as my right side. i wasn't happy with how fuzzy and smashed the reverse sockinette got in this yarn. i suppose the Polar had less of this problem because it is an alpaca and acrylic blend, and i chose 100% fuzzy baby animal hair.

alpaca is not a good choice for things needing a lot of stitch definition because it is very soft and smooshy, but it is excellent for items that need to be warm because it is very warm. and that was my main goal. i made the shrug to wear to this wedding on a riverboat.

and boy was it a last minute decision! i bought the yarn on a monday, finished the project on friday night, and then wore it last saturday. so i didn't get to block it, but i think it looked okay. and will look even better after i do get to block it!

i'm pretty proud. i guess i can call this my first sweater! usually you start with something like a baby sweater, but this is an adult sweater the size of a baby sweater! speaking of...

tonight at work i picked out the yarn for the gifty i plan to make for Dane's 1st birthday. i hope his mama likes it. it needs to be in ohio 3 months from tomorrow, so i should have plenty of time. i plan to cast on for it after i finish crocheting another gift this week.