I bought this yarn at a tiny little shop on a dirty side street in Budapest that mainly sold baby clothes and toys, but had a shelf with exquisite yarn in the farthest corner of the room. Malabrigo, Manos del Uruguay … everything I can only get over the internets in my little provincial town in Germany. It was heaven there! I didn’t buy anything the first time I was there, but shortly before I left Budapest I decided I’d spent my last forint on yarn. Ever since then, two skeins of Malabrigo Rios in the Cumparsita colourway have been sitting in my yarn stash, patiently waiting to be used.

The problem about beautiful yarn is, however, that you need the most perfect project for it, and that’s one rare bird! It’s been over a year since I lived in Budapest, but I found it. Judy Marples’ Seawall Cowl is, I decided, Mr Right for my Malabrigos yarn. The funny thing is that I’m still not entirely convinced when it comes to the cowl trend; I also don’t like circular needles. It’s a completely unfounded dislike, but if I can substitute DPNs for circulars, I’ll do it. With 160 stitches though? Not a good idea. So I put on my big girl pants and splurged some euros on 5.5mm circulars.

It was a pretty mindless project, but look at the result! Isn’t it gorgeous? The yarn knits up beautifully and the simple pattern allows the colours to shine. I’m so happy with this cowl. I’m wearing it right now and it’s by far the best thing about this cold and dreary spring. Well, actually it’s the only good thing …