brambles, finished

Monday's photoshoot also included this lovely finish. I've mentioned the story before, but to recap, I started this piece as a simple (mostly) garter stitch project that I could take to knit night at my local yarn store, figuring I could split my attention between talking and this with little consequence. The yarn is a gray wool I got at the King's Mountain Art Fair at some point and a beautiful variegated cotton that I got from my brother's family for a birthday (along with the cake that turned into my North Sea Ombre wrap. The variegated yarn was over 1000 yards and demanded a great project to showcase the shades. 

I chose a Melanie Berg design from her book Colorwork Shawls that made use of two gradient yarns and just decided the gray was enough as it was. Soooo glad I did! The pattern was perfect for this combination. Well, nearly. I was hoping to use up every last bit of the gradient yarn cake but I have a bit of the darkest purple left. I did consider doing an extra repeat of the lace edge but just couldn't face more lace by the time I was done with the repeats as written. 

I chose not to block it - I don't think it needs it. I'm loving that it's mostly cotton which gives the fabric a great drape and weight and will mean I can likely wear this without itching too much. I do love to knit and wear shawls but so often I end up with red and irritated skin on my neck. It's got quite a wingspan. I have not measured my piece, but the pattern states 7.5 feet along the edge and just about 3 feet deep. I'd say I have that here, and these wonderfully big sizes are a hallmark of all of the Melanie Berg patterns I have made. They take me a long time but end up being such wonderfully architectural pieces that I find it rewarding to finish and I get a kick every time I pull one out to wear. 

Pattern: Grellow is a State of Mind, by Melanie Berg (my Ravelry page) 

Needle: US 3

Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl in 'brambleberry' and Serendipidye King's Mountain Sock in 'smoke'