Why Yes, I Have Been Stockpiling Finished Objects

Actually, I've just been a cruddy blogger lately and have to finally show all the things I've finished since, oh, January.

That and this whole "no casting on until all UFOs are finished" rule may be working. I think I said I was going to do this for February and it's March and I kinda forgot to stop. We won't talk about all the UFOs which still remain. More on that later... you know, when I finish the post about finishing that I've started...and not finished.

I'm not sure what to say about this one. We've all seen it. Many of us have made it. We've probably all got yarn in the stash to make one ourselves.

The One and Only... Clapotis

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb, 3 skeins charcoal. (See notes.)*

Needles: Sz. 8 Addis (I'd definitely suggest something blunt for this kind of yarn, could get very splitty on something like the KnitPicks Options)

Time: early January - 1 Feb 2007; Introduced at the Jan. Buffalo Knitting Guild Meeting and shown off at the Feb. mtg.

Notes: My only mod was to purl the stitch that was going to be dropped, primarily so I could knit without markers (as suggested at the Guild meeting). I had to think every so often on the first and last stitches in some of the rows, but generally this was a low mental engagement project.

That's not to say that it was a low love project. This may be one of my favorite completed projects. It's decadent and practical all at the same time, perfect for my Victorian tastes and my Midwestern roots. I gave it a hard workout on our Windy City weekend, using it as a blanket, pillow, head cover and regular ol' scarf in atmospheres as varied as stuffy airplanes to freakin' cold ice and snow storms. I imagine it may be worn until it falls apart... which I hope is a very long time away.

When I started this project, I wrote about the yarn and the idea of luxury, confessing that this was probably my most expensive knitting object. (Thanks again for all your comments on that post. I've got another of those unfinished blog entries where I put together more thoughts about luxury and blogging, but alas, for another day, month, year...) Anyway, the price tag is absolutely worth it. The silk adds a drape that just couldn't be matched with wool alone and the depth of color in the yarn is deceptively amazing (which my photos don't show at all). In some lights, it really is black, as "charcoal" would suggest, but it also appears grey, blue or even purple at times. It knits up evenly and feels amazing as you're knitting. (Can you tell I want you all to go out and experience Lion and Lamb for yourselves?) It really took all my strength not to buy three more skeins in a variegated colorway for Clapotis 2!

The pattern originally only called for 3 skeins but has been upped to 4, which makes quite a bit of difference when you're talking $30+ skeins. I bought the yarn when the pattern was still in the 3 skein stage and was concerned about having to hunt down more. I took the trouble to weigh my increase section to be sure to save enough for the decrease section, cutting off a repeat or two if necessary, provided three skeins was going to give me enough to have a substantial shawl. I actually ended up with yarn left, probably not enough to do another whole repeat, but enough to save for some little accent on a future project. I'm thinking this has something to do with combination knitting, as I seem to always fall under the requirements. Hmm, perhaps a scientific investigation for Grumperina. Anyway, if you're going to give it a try in the Lion & Lamb, you may want to shop at a store that will take a return if you don't need the four skeins.

So, from having nothing to say to rambling on and on, I'm proud to show off Clapotis. It only took me over a year to pull the yarn from my stash and hop on the bandwagon. May you too be infected with the Clap, because oh yes, it really is that great of a pattern!

*Can you tell I've been writing on my diss all week... parenthetical references to other sections on my same darn blog post AND footnotes to boot. I've gotta get a life...

** Cristina, In case you stop by, I wanted to let you know that I've been reading but something's goofy with my MySpace login so I can't comment. I've also managed to lose your email. If you get a chance, could you say "hi" at ldgraff76 at hotmail dot com so I can get in touch?