28.03.2008:

The Naturally Me feels so gorgeous in my hands and is lovely to knit - light and lofty - but of course, it itches like all hell when I put it against my neck. I will have to put up with the itchyness. Why, oh why, do I keep buying animal fibres that I will wear against my ultra-sensitive skin??? Coz they’re pretty and feel nice in my hands, that’s why.

07.04.2008:

IT DOESN“T ITCH!!! Hooray! By the way, I’m not pregnant, it’s just the dress (and the fact I am overweight)

Update 20.11.2013:

This yarn is no longer available. This saddens me greatly as this shrug was ruined in the Jan 2011 Queensland floods. 95% of my state was under water, 75% of my house was under water, 100% of this shrug was soaking in the deluge. I lost so much to that flood and I think I take out all those feelings on this poor, silt-stained garment.

I still have it. The cream yarn looks streaky and dirty with parts of the Brisbane River that just won’t wash out. I look at it often although it has been three years since it became a flood victim.

I still feel like one day I may frog it, soak the yarn (again) and see if I can get it clean. I loved this shrug. This purple suited so much of my wardrobe but even more importantly was the fact that wearing the yarn did not drive crazy itchy - a rare thing indeed.

Title Song - Muddy Water by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds (cover)

Mary, grab the baby, the river’s rising
Muddy water taking back the land
The old-frame house, she can’t take-a one more beating
Ain’t no use to stay and make a stand

Well the morning light shows water in the valley
Daddy’s grave just went below the line
Things to save, you just can’t take em with ya
This flood will swallow all you’ve left behind

Won’t be back to start all over
Cause what I felt before is gone

Mary, take the child, the river’s rising
Muddy water taking back my home
The road is gone, there’s just one way to leave here
Turn my back on what I’ve left below
Shifting land, broken farms around me
Muddy water’s changing all I know

It’s hard to say just what I’m losing
Ain’t never felt so all alone

Mary, take the child, the river’s rising
Muddy water taking back my home

Won’t be back to start all over
Cause what I felt before is gone

Mary, take the child, the river’s rising
Muddy water’s changing all I know
Muddy water’s changing all I know
Lord, this muddy water is taking back my home