I’m a creature of habit. If something works, why do it differently? My anxiety issues certainly don’t help here either. (Curiously enough, I love going to foreign countries on my own even though I don’t speak their language. Human beings are complicated, I guess.) But I’ve learnt over the last couple of years that sometimes it pays to go off the beaten path. I’ve never worn shrugs and mustered shrug-wearing people with mystified puzzlement. What is the use of this curious garment, I asked myself?

Then I picked up three balls of Lana Grossa Royal Tweed in Bludenz, Austria during my vacation in the Alps in September. They cost 1€ each. I couldn’t possibly walk past such a steal, could I? Unfortunately, you can’t do much with about 300 metres of yarn if you already have more than enough accessories. The only option my Ravelry queue gave me was this lace shrug. Well okay then, I thought. Time for something new! I was sceptical till the end. In the evening, I tried it on while I lounged on the couch and watched TV and I haven’t looked back since. It’s AMAZINGLY comfortable and warm. I sort of want to live in it forever and ever, to be honest.

Nevertheless I don’t think I’ll use this pattern again. It’s at this unfortunate juncture where the pattern repeat is really boring, but not simple enough for completely mindless knitting, so you have to pay attention and are bored out of your mind at the same time. I’m glad I powered through, though, because the end result is gorgeous! Lana Grossa Royal Tweed is one of my favourite yarns anyway. It’s usually a dream to knit with, although in this case I ended up with one ball of yarn that broke about every five centimetres. Bummer, but I guess that’s why it was 1€.

I couldn’t be happier with this shrug. I’m so glad I made the biggest size because it’s just ideal for snuggling up with on the couch in the evening!

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Pattern: Simple Lace Shrug by Lisa Sisk

Yarn: Royal Tweed by Lana Grossa (Bulky, 100% Merino), #21 brick red