Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The End is Near...

... And I am almost out of yarn.  It's true.  The Girly Girl Cashmere Shrug I shared last week is almost complete but I have run out of yarn with just three rows left of the second sleeve.  There's not a whole lot that makes you want to abandon a project so quickly as a road block like this.

I knew going in to the project that I would have to make some adjustments due to the lack of yarn.  I had exactly one ounce of fingering (ish) weight yarn that was purchased over a year ago at a thrift store. Since yardage was lacking, I always figured a baby shrug would be the perfect project for such a small amount of yarn.  I decided on the Pearl Shrug pattern from Vintage Baby Knits by Kristen Rengren and set to work.  The smallest size is 3-6 months and figured my shrug would be a little smaller since my yarn was so thin.  Wrong.  What I thought would fit Elise now will definitely be something to grow in to.

This makes me wish I would've gone down a few needle sizes to make it a bit smaller and in turn use a little less yarn.  All I have left is the last part of the second sleeve:


 Basically I am going to have to take apart then edging around the body of the shrug and shorten it a bit to get the yarn I need to finish the sleeve.  *sigh*  See what I mean?  Makes you just want to throw in the towel.  In the meantime, I have started a few other small rojects.  This is not like me.  I am usually a one (or maybe  two) project-at-a-time kinda girl.  What worries me is that if I don't trudge forward I will abandon the shrug forever.  I guess it wouldn't be worth it to leave it behind now- I'm so close!  The problem is, the edging has so many live stitches, it might take a while to get things back on the needles alone.  Advice?  Tips?

18 comments:

  1. hmmmm. can you shorten the one sleeve instead?

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  2. Cap sleeves would look really cute on a shrug. That looks like a really cute pattern! Then she could wear it in the spring!

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  3. Cap sleeves is exactly what I was thinking. Or remake both sleeves in a off-white, so it looks like lace sleeves.

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  4. Have i been missing something? I love your new layout and design! Beautiful! Who did it?

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  5. Another vote for reworking just the sleeves. Use some white or darker pink yarn as a contrast color, either at the sleeve cap or the bottom.

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  6. If you want to shorten the shrug, maybe you can thread some waste yarn through the stitches of the row that you want to take the edging on the body down to. At least that way you won't lose any of your stitches when you frog. Hopefully that piece of advice made sense!

    Also I do love your new blog layout. Tres chic!

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  7. 1. Adore the new blog layout. It's gorgeous and sophisticated!

    2. I say play with the sleeve length or add a contrasting color yarn to the edging on each. That way, no fiddling with the live stitches on the body--unless, that is, you have your heart set on one solid color. Then, make a safety line (very important) and very carefully snip and unravel. I have done that several times before. It's best to approach this with stockinette--never with ribbing/moss stitch/etc.--unless you plan to just bind off the stitches you pick up.

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  8. I think taking back the other sleeve and finishing both in a dark pink would be your best bet :)

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  9. I wish I had some good advice. The yarn is beautiful and I know someone will be able to help. I Love your new website layout.

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  10. No matter what you end up doing its going to look great! I love the color!

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  11. I'm just agreeing with everybody... Cap sleeves would be wonderful, and the new blog design is really beautiful.

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  12. Oh how frustrating!!
    I wanted to also mention that I was recently asked by a fellow blogger to choose 3 blogs that inspire me, and well, I have to say that yours is one of them. I am continually amazed at the things you are able to do with a newborn at home!
    If you are not into this type of thing, that is ok, I just wanted to voice my appreciation of all the wonderful things you have shared

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. Just curious about what kind of needles you are knitting with....

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  15. I'm so impressed. I seriously want to learn how to make a shrug.

    So, stop by my blog if you get a chance. I have an awesome giveaway going on.

    Audrey
    www.livingfoxy.com

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  16. I'm not sure if I just did not notice it the last time I visited, but I think that the blog has a new look! It looks in.cre.di.ble!!!

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  17. Oh, how frustrating! I agree with the previous comments abotu reworking the sleeves, and having a contrasting colour or trim.

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  18. Another vote for shortening the one sleeve..... This vote comes from switzerland ;-) Brigitte

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