Sometimes what you buy yarn for and what it ends up becoming are two very different things. This Phildar Clapotis was supposed to be one of three components in a project, dubbed by Phildar, to be a "Chanel-Inspired Jacket". Yet when I did the swatch for this project (shown bottom center in the photo), something just didn't grab me the way that I wanted it to. Not only that, but it just seemed like the addition of the Sunset yarn made the whole thing a little too sparkly for me. While I didn't want the yarn to go to waste, I also didn't want to make something that wasn't going to become a loved part of my wardrobe.
So I set everything aside for a while, until this weekend, when I realized that I just don't have much in the way of new summer tops for work, and I started to wonder if the Clapotis would be better off on it's own. Sure enough, there are some simple and summery designs for it in the Phildar Tendences Printemps 2005 book that also contains the jacket pattern.
Don't worry, I'll be avoiding the short skirt and the belly baring part of the experience. I selected this design because tt has light shaping and simple raglan sleeves, so it should be both flattering and relatively easy to make and assemble. It also doesn't call for more yarn than I have, so I can get started right away. Always a plus in my book.
After a few test runs, I finally got a swatch that came out at gauge (the swatch in the top right corner of the first picture). Even with big frou frou yarns, it seems that Phildar and I have wildly different tension expectations from 6mm needles. Want to know what this funky tape-style yarn looks like up close? Of course you do...
Enough color and texture to be interesting, not so much as to make someone think that I have molded actual cotton candy onto my form. I'm hoping this will be a win-win situation for both me and the yarn.
Ooooohhh pretty... Man, I love me some pink! That fancy new camera of yours totaly does it justice. I like the cute little raglan top, and think you will, too. Can't wait to see the finished product!
The pattern looks good, and that yarn is so interesting. I can't wait to see it. You sure you don't wanna show off that tummy just a bit? hehe
That looks lovely! I am with you about the pink and white striped (that's how it looks on my monitor, anyway). It just doesn't "pop". I like the one yarn by itself much better. That raglan will look nice on your skinny little self. ;-) That roving you posted yesterday literally makes my mouth water it looks so good. It looks like the multicolored cotton candy you get at the state fair around here. MMM
Hmm, I did that exact same sweater, and it turned out nicely (even with a whole bunch of problems that were all me.) One of these days I'll get around to photographing it.
I think you made the right choice with the yarn, it's so unique that it needs to be shown of on its own. Funny, when I bought it, I was actually THIS close to making that same exact pattern. I'll look forward to seeing how it turns out for you. I enjoyed knitting with it, found it to form a surprisingly soft and strong fabric - it's also pretty warm and can get hot in the summertime!
Is it just me, or do you also think they may have shredded a bunch of those surgical booties and masks doctors wear in order to make this yarn? I know you can't really see that in the picture, but it looks like it when you really examine the stuff close up (I've got some here).