FO - Shawlette & Malabrigo Sock Yarn Review

Although I love to make up my own knitting projects, while on vacation I like to take along projects designed by other people to give myself a break from always working out something for myself.  

On my recent trip to New Mexico, I took several of those projects I'd been wanting to knit, including a mini shawl by designer Ysolda Teague called Ishbel.

It seems like everyone and their sister has knit this except me, so after perusing my stash for yarn possibilities, I selected Malabrigo Sock in colorway Solis, stuffed it into my travel tote and cast on practically the second my rear end hit the airport waiting lounge seat for the first flight.

I wanted something interesting enough to keep my attention, and not so complicated that I couldn't put it down and pick it up easily.  That is exactly what I got with Ishbel.  

Normally, I might or might not choose sock yarn for a shawl, depending on the yarn in question.  This is only because sock yarn is usually spun for durability, often with added nylon and sometimes extra twist, which is perfect for socks but doesn't always translate to great softness and drape desirable for a shawl.

However, after seeing so many successful shawl projects in this yarn on Ravelry, I decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did.    

I knit the stockinette portion on size US 7/ 4.5 mm, and the lace on size US 8/ 5 mm Knitpicks Options metal needles.  

Malabrigo Sock was nice to knit with - not too scratchy, not too soft - and not splitty.  It has a fair amount of stretch, good drape and softness on the neck.  I encountered no knots, and only one or two tiny white/ undyed spots in the skein that were so nominal I left them in.

The yarn held it's dye very well in a Eucalan soak, and the stitches opened up nicely with blocking.  

I have not knit socks with this yarn, but I would not hesitate to try it for that or for any number of projects, including the flowing, fine-gauge cardigans so popular these days.  

Affordably priced and in beautiful, hand-dyed colors, Malabrigo Sock yarn seems like a real bargain, and paired with a nice pattern like Ishbel, a great project!

Happy Birthday-versary

 

This weekend I celebrated my birthday with wonderful things - lots of cake and ice cream, knitting, and time with family and friends.  

I use my birthday as a way to look back on the events and growth I've experienced in the course of the past year, and to make plans, set goals and look forward to what the next year will bring.  For me, a 'birthday-versary' is like a personal new year's day, a celebration of the unique individual each person is and the special place only they can fill on this earth.

None of us is guaranteed another moment so making the most of each one is important to me.  This includes spending time with those I love and, of course, yarn!  

My birthday yarn treat was some Alchemy Haiku mohair silk blend, and a skein of Koigu KPPM, both in Autumn tones of greens, browns, golds and rust. 

For the knitting part of my birthday weekend, I finally blocked a project I started and finished during my trip to New Mexico, my Ishbel shawl by designer Ysolda Teague.  

 

I don't often have time to knit other people's designs these days, so I like to use vacation time to enjoy the benefits of some other designer's patterns.  This little shawlette is a nice scarf size and the pattern was easy to use.  I'll post more when I have FO photos to share. 

In addition to a little knitting on a cardigan (not of my design), and some current patterns-in-progress, I also began work on a hat to match my Lavande neckwarmer design. 

More birthday swag included flowers from both my mom and my husband, and some  favorite super dark chocolate!

And oh yeah, the treats. This little pumpkin patch cheesecake from Whole Foods was so cute and yummy too.  

And no birthday of mine would be complete without one of my favorite treats, an ice cream sundae!  

Those of you who come to Columbus for TNNA or Knitter's Connection might be familiar with Jeni's Ice Cream and their unusual, incredibly delicious flavors.  

We had a terrible time choosing, but settled on Brown Butter Almond Brittle ice cream with hot fudge, whipped cream and a chocolate-covered cherry (we shared).  Swoon...

So, another year has come and gone and although there are some regrets, as usual, I am also very thankful for the good times, the blessings, the love of people and animals in my life, and the ability to do the things I enjoy most, like knitting!