This week, I chat with the inimitable Kate Atherley and share a pattern for a tiny hug for a two-year-old, my Redbud Blooms Shrug.
Redbud Blooms Shrug
The Redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma. I always get nostalgic for them in the spring. When a friend of mine gave me this super-soft, bulky yarn, the color reminded me of their blossoms.
This yarn is "early" handspun. My friend said it was overspun in some areas, so I made the shrug in garter stitch to counteract any tendency in the fabric to bias.
The shrug is knit from the top-down, with raglan shaping and minimal finishing. The garter-stitch edges also prevent curling. For the fronts of the shrug, slip the first stitch on every row. When working back-and-forth for the sleeves, do not slip the first stitches on those rows. This makes seaming easier in the end, I promise.
I used up every inch of the handspun I had. So, my cast-off edges are all in a contrasting yarn. You can keep yours all with one yarn, if you like, but I like the effect.
There is a link in the pattern to my notes about using a crochet hook, instead of a darning needle, to close up a seam. This is the method I used for the underarm seams.
Just a fun, quick project to add a little color and extra warmth to a little one's day.
Chat
I had so much fun talking with Kate Atherley. We talked about her book (which I reviewed a little while ago), her "small start" method and why Kate might have the coolest job in the world.
Links
- Folk Socks (I wrote about Folk Socks for Lara's Library)
- You can buy the print and digital versions together, right now, for $26.95 + shipping. The digital-only version is available for $16.96 (right now, but that price could change).
- Knittyspin is part of Knitty
- Shannon Okey sometimes goes by Knitgrrl.
- (she appeared in Math4Knitters, Crafty Living: Show 43)
