I bought this wool last year with the intention of making an openwork waistcoat for summer days but never got round to it. Part of the reason I chose this particular wool was because the colour was so cool and summery.
I bought some blue/burgundy wool to make another waistcoat at the same time but once finished it turned out to be quite warm to wear - no good for the summer! Consequently I was somewhat put off making another, albeit in a cotton blend wool.
I’ve been thinking over the last couple of days about what I can start making - itchy fingers again - and came back to the idea of a waistcoat but an open lacy style circular shrug.
I didn’t want anything too simple in the centre but at the same time, as I’m using DK wool, it can’t be too complex either. Heidi’s pattern looks just about right. I’ve no idea what size hook to use, or even if I’ll have enough wool and as I bought it nearly a year ago I won’t be able to get any more…
Wow - it works up fast!! I tried a couple of tension pieces with 4.5mm & 5.5mm but they were both a bit on the small side. The pattern suggests a 5.5mm hook but I don’t know what thickness wool she used. I settled on a 6mm hook and got going. I’ve already finished the central star and will do a couple of extra “plain” rows to make it just a little larger.
Heidi suggests you lay the star on the back of a cardigan to gauge the size and I don’t think I’m quite there yet. I’m very pleased so far though. :-)
For the armhole, I followed her suggested placement and “skipped” 8 sets of granny stitches.
Only 4 or 5 rows to go now…the question is, will I like it when it’s finished, never mind wear it???
Well, I’m on the last row and it’s big enough to try on. And no, I don’t like it - at least not on me. I won’t unpick the whole thing straight away. I might look for another pattern and see if I can salvage the central panel at least…
05-06-2016
Well, it got slung to one side over a year ago…
I came across it yesterday and was wondering if it was worth trying to carry on and make it bigger,or maybe square it off as a lap blanket. Or just unpick it?…
I couldn’t decide so put it away again!