This is Obsidian (Ravelry link) by Lisa Mutch (designer’s site). I made it in Scheepjes Bamboo Soft (Wool Warehouse link) in the shade Decadent Plum.

In Glasgow, decadent plum sounds like an insult. This made me chuckle for quite some time.

I was drawn to the pattern because of the cowl neck. It’s pleasantly dramatic. Also the pattern looks somewhat like chain mail which gave the garment a bit of edge. The garter stitch is achieved in the round by essentially wrapping and turning when you get to the starting marker.

I did not achieve well with the seam that results from this method. Definitely got lost more than once so it’s a bit crooked… but I’ll never have to look at it so where’s the harm?

The back seam gave me some trouble

The yarn was nice to work with, a shade splitty perhaps but quite soft in that dry, cottony way. The colour was stunning, I really love it. Purple is my favourite. I have, unsurprisingly, no note of yardage used but I did start with seven skeins. Perhaps I can check the weight of the leftovers in my stash? Time will tell if I decide it’s important enough to do before this blog posts.

I do like this garment but hardly ever wear it. It was nice to revisit it through writing this post and taking pictures. I also reblocked it, given that I didn’t have my steamer when I made it, so it’s all fresh and clean for its next outing! And, while the size I made (medium) doesn’t allow the cowl to sit open across both shoulders (which I’m a bit sad about), there are a couple of styling options. Especially after a steam block, the drape is lovely.


14 responses to “Purple Obsidian”

  1. kiki Avatar

    Well, that gave me a good laugh… ah…decadent plum. Yeah, that’s a good one.
    It’s beautiful! Style and colour are absolutely wonderful. Shame the cowl doesn’t drape how you wanted but it’s still lovely the way it does sit.

    1. CA Avatar

      😆 it makes me laugh every time I remember it.

      Taking the garment out to photograph, then steaming and blocking it a bit more has greatly improved the drape and I’ve been wearing it for the first time in ages!

  2. Kat Avatar

    I agree with kiki… the cowl is lovely how it sits! And I like the color… decadent plum indeed! :)

    1. CA Avatar

      It does sit nicely, especially now I’ve given it a fresh block!

  3. quiteayarnblog Avatar

    That is a lovely top! I do like the cowl neck just as it sits, although its always good to have styling options. Decadent plum :)

    1. CA Avatar

      It is quite lovely, isn’t it? Especially after a bit of tlc with the steamer. I’d consider making another and futzing with the neckline to allow a different fit but it’s really fine just how it is.

      They also have a shade called Golden Nugget which, again, could easily be an insult in this part of the world.

  4. tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles Avatar

    WHat beautiful yarn and that is an awesome top!

    1. CA Avatar

      I’d definitely recommend both yarn and pattern 😊

  5. quietwatercraft Avatar

    I remember a reddit post about how any noun can be an insult in English, as long as you put some variation of “total” in front of it – you total lunch box, you utter cardigan etc. I reckon decadent plum fits into that!
    Insults aside, it’s a really beautiful make and the colour suits you so well.

    1. CA Avatar

      This is accurate!

      Thanks so much, purple is my favourite.

  6. joangrady5dcefad664 Avatar
    joangrady5dcefad664

    Gorgeous! The jumper’s beautiful too.

    Ya decadent plum.

    1. CA Avatar

      😁 Thanks sis! It’s funny every single time.

  7. […] Do a kind of wrap and turn so I can knit back and forth in rows that are still joined up,  like Obsidian? Carry the colours all the way round which, believe it or not, is how Embrace […]

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