bobbling along

Phew, this is the most labor-intensive accessory I've ever knit. So many cables, so many bobbles...

The finished product is cute and kitschy. I had intended to give it to a friend as a belated holiday gift, but I think it's the sort of thing only a knitter would love. So I'm keeping it for myself, and I will get joy out of it despite (because of?) its 1970s bobble-y aesthetic. Plus it coordinates rather nicely with my Manos Mini Shawl (which I tend to wear as a scarf) .

Pattern: orchids & fairy lights, by tinyowlknits

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Bobby Blue, .75 skein
Needles: US 6 - 16" circ for ribbing
US 7 - 16" circ and DPNs for the rest

Notes:
I went down one needle size for the ribbing, which was a good idea.This is a labor of love -- it took about twice as long as a regular aran-weight hat due to all the darn cables and bobbles. This isn't very slouchy on me, but I love it nonetheless! Next time I would cable without a cable needle to speed it up a bit.

The stitch pattern guide has some bizarre errors. C2B, C2F, etc. should indicate holding 1 stitch on the cable needle, not 2 (and likewise knitting/purling 1 stitch, not 2). Otherwise a great pattern, though.

The beautiful yarn came from one of my favorite knitters/bloggers, Heather over at The ADD Knitter. Thanks, Heather! What a cheerful shade of blue. Starting off the new year with Malabrigo is exactly the right way to go.

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10 shawls in 2010, here I come...

inspirations

1. travelling woman, 2. damson, 3. cedar leaf shawlette, 4. rhapsody in lace and ruffles, 5. wandering the moor, 6. gaenor, 7. citron, 8. multnomah, 9. hayworth shawlette, 10. trinity shawlette, 11. echo flower shawl, 12. lake of the woods

Ravelry group here