How do you say “delinquent” in German?
I’ll come clean right away: I’ve been sitting on pictures of an FO for twelve days. Das ist not gut. There’s no excuse, so I won’t try to make one. I give you Viennese Shrug:
Viennese Shrug, from Interweave Knits Summer 2005
6 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha in a tasty raspberry color
US #7 Addi Turbos
Modifications… oh, so very many. Although I have the Morehouse Merino this pattern demands in my stash, it’s earmarked for something else, and I really wanted to make a summery top layer out of this delicious Noro. Long-time readers may be shocked at my decision to knit not one but two shrugs, given my well established sentiments toward Garments Without Fronts. The first time I only had a week to knit something to wear to my sister-in-law’s wedding, and the yarn matched my shoes so nicely I couldn’t resist the One Skein Wonder. How can I defend myself this time? I think it was the lace that drew me in. I really enjoy lace knitting, but I don’t find I’m much of a shawl wearer and I’m sure not making any doilies. So I was intrigued by this unusual three-dimensional Viennese Lace pattern, and it was so easy to envision it in the Cash Iroha Mr. Garter gave me last birthday.
Realizing that vision was a little more tricky, since my gauge was wildly different from the pattern’s. I’ll spare you the details of my three failed attempts to achieve anything like the desired shape, lest your eyes glaze over. If you’re just dying to knit a Viennese Shrug in Noro Cash Iroha, you can email me and I’ll be more than happen to hand over my roadmap.
And the verdict? We’re done with shrugs, I swear. I did have a good time making this one despite the obstacles, and I do find that it’s wearable, although I can’t shake the feeling it makes my bosom look like the prow of an ocean liner. Plus the taunts of my friends echo my own deep-rooted antipathies. My friend Rosa teased me about having forgotten to knit the front. I lightheartedly told her I ran out of yarn (which is completely true: I had only a wee pile of ends left over). Let’s just all up and admit that the shrug was an ill-advised fashion foray from the get-go, and publish no more patterns for them. Especially none with tempting lace patterns, okay?
P.S. No, that’s not my garden. It’s the International Rose Test Garden.
P.P.S. No, I don’t speak a lick of German. Here’s my one phrase: der boden ist schmutzig (the floor is dirty). Not very useful in conversation, however true it might be. I certainly don’t know how to sing the praises of interesting Viennese traditional patterns, more’s the pity.
P.P.P.S. I’m a hopeless nerd. I looked up how to say “delinquent” in German. It’s straffaellig.
Posted: August 10th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
I won’t comment on the practicality of shrugs but your viennese shrug is beautiful…very tempting to make..I can only imagine how soft and squishable it is.
Did you go to the New Zealand section of the rose garden. I made my collegues look at all the New Zealand roses when we were there last year (sampling mud at Corvallis) even though there was a couple practically undressing themselves in that section of the garden. I loved the Japanese garden too…
Posted: August 10th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
It’s a lovely Garment without Front and looks beautiful on you! You have definitely met your quota on shrugs, so you’re free to move on to projects with full-frontal knitting!!
Posted: August 10th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
The color is gorgeous and shows off the lace pattern really well. And, frontless garment or not, it looks really pretty on you. 🙂
Posted: August 11th, 2006 at 2:45 am
If you hadn’t, I would have done so as soon as I sent this comment.
Look at you: all cute in your shrug and frolicking in the flowers.
Posted: August 11th, 2006 at 4:21 am
a gorgeous garment and gorgeous flowers! i do love the lace pattern. i can see how it would suck just about anybody in!
Posted: August 11th, 2006 at 5:44 am
Ha! Mein Leibsling farber ist grun. (My favorite color is green) Not very useful conversation either.
Posted: August 11th, 2006 at 6:07 am
Looking at it before reading the rest of your post, all I could think is “that’s gorgeous, and it looks so good”! So, even if you’re not going to make any more shrugs, I think you did an excellent job and you can happily enjoy that one. In my opinion.
Posted: August 11th, 2006 at 7:20 am
I think the shrug is beautiful! Nice job.
Posted: August 11th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
Your shrug is beautiful! That color looks good enough to eat. I’ve also only made one shrug, and that was enough for me. I’m hoping I have better luck with sweaters.
Also, thank you for your kind words and your congratulations :). I finally got around to putting a little announcement up on my blog, with pictures as well.
Posted: August 13th, 2006 at 5:21 am
Well, I think the shrug looks great on you!