UPDATE January 2014: Frogged. I just didn’t like how it draped, and didn’t like those long cream ends sticking out from under the pink. I’d rather use these gorgeous yarns for something I love and will use.

NOTES:

It was blocked but looks wrinkled because it has been sitting folded.

The pattern is super easy with a nice shape. The greater rate of increase produces an obtuse triangle, meaning the ends are long without having a deep point.

I slipped the first stitch of every row purlwise - a mistake. I forgot how tight that makes the edges; you can see how it pulls the ends out of shape.

I used DK weight instead of fingering because I wanted to use up stash, but it doesn’t drape as nicely as fingering would have.

Take the pattern’s advice to place a stitch marker on the right side of the work.

My mods:

• kfbl instead of M1 for increases. (Row 2 needed knitting into the center stitch three times)
• different bind off (k1, * k1, transfer two stitches to left needle and k2tog through the back loops. Repeat from * )

I’m very pleased with both yarns:

Feeling (cream)

• Luscious and super soft against skin
• Can be splitty if you’re not careful
• Knit from the outside of the ball, NOT the center or you end up with a knotted mess
• The drapey-ness and silk content made it ‘grow’ as seen by the really long ends
• I’d love to make an open work shawl with this yarn, it would drape beautifully

Merino Alpaca (pink)

• A breeze to knit with and produces excellent stitch definition

• If I had used it for the top portion of the shawl it would’ve been a little too scratchy to wear against my neck

• I’d love to use this yarn again, it really is a joy to knit with