I owe someone a brown shawl. So I made one.

It’s not the most exciting shawl ever knitted, but it will serve a purpose. And it will go well with a lot of outfits so will be highly wearable. Plus it’s merino so it will provide warmth.


This is my third Melody’s Shawl and I am still not sick and tired of it. Miles and miles of stockinette (in fact nearly 450 yards of it!), who would complain? It’s perfect TV knitting!

I’ve complained often and loudly about the yarn I used. I admit it is an exception to the rule because every other skein of Dream in Color Smooshy that I have met lives up to its name. My skein was left out in the sun and baked to a glorious crunchy finish. It was not fun working with this particular skein of Smooshy and yes I am still going on about it, sorry.

As advertised though, once it was soaked and blocked it did soften up a lot. I think a couple more soaks would really change the fabric’s drapeyness. But boy, did the dye bleed like crazy! My hands and fingernails were orange-brown after tying up the fringe! My fingernails looked like I did a terrible job of removing my nail polish.

Anyway, I am glad this shawl is done. It has not put me off Smooshy completely and I am willing to try it again in the future. I love how generous the shawl is and I am sure my sister will be fine and cozy with it wrapped around her shoulders.

Project: Chinatown Melody (Raveled!)
Pattern: Melody’s Shawl by Melody Moore
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy, colourway Chinatown Apple
Needle: US7 / 4.5mm
Cast on: 12 April 2012
Cast off: 9 July 2012
Notes: Had under 3 yards left!