Clapotis: November 2004 Archives
If a scarf could speak, Clapotis would want you to know that she appreciates all the efforts on her behalf to help dissuade her maker that fringing might be a good idea. She much prefers to be fringeless, and not to bear an uncanny resemblance to a gaudy table runner. She might also like to be blocked, but that is still in negotiation.
A little sunlight would have helped these shots with regards to making the details of Clapotis stand out, but given my current schedule and that of my photographer, I'm lucky to get pictures in whenever I can. Clapotis is a nice garment as she is very multifunctional. Not only can she be a warm, soft, glimmery scarf, but she can also pull double-duty as a shawl.
There's not much to add to my "what did I learn" list on this project -- she's a relatively simple scarf, though not quite as mindless to knit as I would have liked because of all the knitting through the back of the loop that is done to set up the dropped stitch areas. I have developed a definite devotion to Lion and Lamb, however, and I now know how to go about knitting a scarf on the bias. I used more yarn than called for by the pattern, but that can probably be chalked up to me not doing a gauge swatch before I got started.
One thing to point out about this scarf -- she's not a lightweight. With just over 3 skeins of Lion and Lamb, she weighs in at 300g. But it would be relatively trivial to modify the pattern to make something narrower and a bit lighter weight.
The pattern for Clapotis is well written and easy to follow. I think the author's extra instructions for lengthening or widening are a nice touch. It's also one of those patterns that would work well in a wide variety of yarn types and weights, depending on the desired effect.
I got back from my trip late Friday night. Aside from a little knitting that I did on the plane trip out (which was of great interest -- in a good way -- to the flight attendants who saw it), I got very little done. I also had my first "knitting related airport security encounter". Apparently, the little nail clippers that I carry with me to cut yarn with have a little nail file with a point that is in the unacceptable category (I should point out that this dangerous weapon did go back and forth to Europe with me without any real problems). They were rendered acceptable when the nail file was broken off, and so managed to make it back to Chicago with me. The security screener was incredibly polite and very gentle with the knitted item in my bag -- he didn't want to hurt the project I was working on.
When I got back, I decided that with Butterfly done, it was time to make some headway on Clapotis.
My fears of not quite having enough yarn for Clapotis appear to have come true. Here she is at the end of three skeins. She's looking a bit out of sorts, I know, but a little bit of blocking should do wonders for her disposition once she's finished (only 5 intervals left to go).
Since there is no way for me to avoid skeining up the last hank of Lion and Lamb that I have, I'm trying to figure out, how, beyond the final corner, I might best use the yarn. One idea I had was to give Clapotis a fringe. However, she's already quite large. Will a fringe be overkill? Will it make her too shawl/stole-like? I'd like her to have an elegant quality, but I also would like her to be the sort of scarf that wouldn't mind going to work with me on a semi-regular basis.
Alternatively, I'm thinking of taking my left overs (I think there should be at least 100 yards when I'm done) and making this lovely Bow Knot Scarf designed by Katherine Burgess, for when I want a little luxury without all the bulk of Clapotis.
Opinions, anyone?
P.S. to my dear friend Judy -- Congratulations on your engagement! I am so excited for you. You can't go wrong with a good computer guy!
P.P.S. Happy 32nd Birthday to my Little Brother. I know, he never reads my blog, but at least I should get points for trying!
