There have been two balls of Bendigo Woollen Mills 16 ply Mystique that I bought on a whim sitting in my stash saying “go on, what will make out of me?” for a little while. Like much of the other yarn in my stash, I suppose. I’m often unsure which comes first, the yarn or the pattern. Maybe it’s a little of both. Anyway, I digress. The pattern is called Sonia’s crochet shrug. Although it was designed for a worsted weight yarn, by going up in hook size to 6.00mm it seemed to work with this 16 ply.

It’s actually for my cousin Freya, but like everything I make, I prefer to photograph it as it will be worn. I think that you get a much better idea of shape, fit and scale. I had a number of difficulties with the lace edging instructions. After working the armhole lace and pulling it out again around seven times (and almost pulling my hair out as well), I just decided to wing it and do it how I thought that it should be done. It’s worked out okay in the end. I have contacted the designer to let her know of the problems that I had.

The lace around the bottom wasn’t in the pattern. I thought that the bolero needed to be a little longer and that repeating the armhole and neckline lace around the bottom would give it a better finish. I’m pleased that I did.

I would consider making this pattern again – it’s a little bit different! I used a brooch to hold it closed in these photos, but since then I’ve sewn on a couple of buttons. There were button loops included in the pattern, but I altered them as well. If you try this pattern be aware that you might have some problems – I’m quite sure that it wasn’t just me but it was the instructions. Otherwise, it’s rather lovely (especially on someone with a tiny waist – that is, the recipient, not me).

Ravelled here.