FO: Dew Point Shrug

This is the first non-accessory garment I have knit entirely on my own.  I had help from my mother to make the two cardigans and two sweaters I produced in the 1990s.  I've knit plenty of socks, hats, shawls, and scarves since then, but no garments.  Until now:

Pattern: Dew Point by Laura Chau (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Madelinetosh tosh dk in Violin
Needles: US4 circular
Duration: 29th April to 7th June
Ravelry project: Dew Point Shrug

This project zoomed happily along until it got to the point where I had to pick up stitches.  187 stitches to be exact, which was only 3 off the multiple of six I needed once you added in the non-picked-up stitches.  I needed nagging by a friend to get to it because picking up stitches is something I feel I do badly.  I avoid top-down socks unless I really want a hemmed top because it requires picking up stitches at the heel.

After a couple of lace repeats, it started looking more like a real shrug and less like a loose pillowcase.  I did the final lace repeat sat in the basement listening to the tornado sirens in yet another St Louis storm.  Doing the sleeves required more picking up of stitches, and I did more than the pattern said to make sure it wasn't too tight.

I changed the arms to use 2x2 ribbing instead of 1x1 twisted rib because I prefer the look, and made them slightly longer, two inches of plain and one of ribbing.  I used a k2tog tbl cast off to make sure the ends would be stretchy.  I'm intending to wear this with tank tops and sleeveless dresses.

Wore it to work on a "shorts casual" dress code week over a tank and got several compliments.