Behind The Times Along

New and Ribbing Along

2006-04-24T04:51:00.001-07:00

Hi folks - I stumbled across this KAL the other day and thought it was perfect - I just started Ribby Cardi ages behind everyone else.

I'm making it in Cascade 220 in a tan and slate blue and have figured out from everyone else that I should make the body at least 1-2" longer. Any other big suggestions?

All sorts of fun deatils are on my blog, and here are the first and second entries dealing with Ribby Cardi. This week is The Week of the Sock on the blog, but I'll still be knitting RC in the background.

Can I get my gold now?!

2006-04-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

2006 Winter Olympics Team Knittyboard

Seamed, blocked and in the hands of the gift recipient. Have the Olympics ended yet?!

Completed Soleil

2006-04-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

Finally after putting it in the bottom of a bag somewhere for the winter months. I took it out last week and finished it! Here's Soleil.
I used some sort of yarn from Denmark, Hjerte Diamant cotton/viscose gauge was good in a beautiful shade of blue. Knitted size 42-44
I like the top but a little disappointed with it. Sorry I didn't get a photo wearing it. Dh said it's to short....I even knitted it an inch or two longer then the pattern called for. It's sorta like a belly type top, should be ok during those dog days of summer and kicking back around the house or maybe I should gift it to someone.

French for Black Hole

2006-04-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

I know I am not the first person to experience this, but I knit the crap out of this thing - 3 episodes of Veronica Mars, 1 of Doctor Who (the new one) and two of Numb3rs. And this is where I am, just past the first dropped stitch.

Not from cast on, mind you, but I started nearly at the end of the increase section at 8:30 this morning. I added one extra to make it a bit wider. Also, I have 3 (!) different dyelots of the Lion & Lamb Black Purl colorway, but I'm guessing (hoping) this pattern is pretty forgiving in that regard.

Yes, that's a Yarn Pirate tote bag.

Hi!

2006-04-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Howdy all, I have to say this is the best idea for a knit-a-long ever. I've only been knitting for a little over a year - and every time I find something I want to knit I discover the whole world has knit it. But that won't stop me......

Currently Behind the Times on Clapotis (among other things...) and I will post a picture later, but I have a question about yardage and length. I'd like it to be really long, so I bought 4 skeins of the Lion & Lamb. If I knit up skeins 2 & 3 for the straight parts, will I have enough left with only one skein to do the decrease section? (I haven't finished the increse section yet)

Dropping even further behind

2006-03-27T05:33:00.000-08:00

I finished the Ribby Cardi. No pictures yet, though. Now, you'd think that a post that begins "I finished the Ribby Cardi" would not be titled "Dropping even further behind," but here's the thing: it's too small. I kid you not.

Good thing I'm a process knitter. My first thought (after I gave up on the idea of blocking the hell out of it or of trying to graft on some solution that would make it bigger), was "well, now I get to order more yarn to make another one."

And it's a good thing my sister is smaller than I am. This will actually fit her pretty perfectly. And I was thinking of making her a Ribby Cardi anyway.

I'm further BTT than ever, but life is lookin' good.

Im scared of my Clapotis...

2006-03-25T15:29:00.000-08:00

Its quite sad really... im very scared of some yarn, two metal sticks (size 8) some stich markers, and directons. Seperate they are nothing, easy to handle. Together, I panic... I think its that YO stich that does it to me...

I guess Ill keep at it, making all the wonderfull knots, then go to my LYS on Tuesday or Wensday and go "OMG HELP ME!!!" The helpful women there will laugh and wonder what i've done... Ill feel stupid, and we will move on....

Stupid, beautiful yarn that had no meaning in life other then to become a clap...

Hi Y'all!

2006-03-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

I'm catching up on my "a-longs" this weekend, since I've been a bit MIA since I started looking for a condo, then packing, then moving, then unpacking and blah blah blah. But I have finished a couple Booga Bags that I tweaked so much, I called it my own pattern and posted it on my blog.

That's the only thing I've done since January that might qualify for the BTT. I did make an Odessa, and a few dishcloths (if you like to make those, I highly reccommend joining the yahoo group Monthly Dishcloth Knit-a-long. It's so neat. You do two a month, and get a snippet of the pattern each day for about a week. You don't know until a few days into it what it might be. I just did a shamrock dishcloth and never would have picked that as a project were it up to me. But I'm glad I did it! My first time making an image in purl bumps on a stockinette background.
Anyway, I'm making a pinwheel baby blanket right now. I think that might count for this right? Seems like everyone in the knitty blogosphere has made one except for me. It's for my friend's baby. She snagged my Odessa less than two days after I finished it, to give to her 1 yr old daughter. Either I have a small head, or that child has a big one. I dunno, it's a very stretchy pattern anyway. But the parents have requested a bead-free snuggly out of the same yarn because this child will NOT rest without her Odessa in hand, pressed against her cheek. Now THAT is a knit-worthy baby.
I went and bought the yarn for my Clap yesterday. I originally bought some Red Heart for it, when I was new to the yarn scene, and I knew I'd never make mine until I had different yarn. I bought some Tahki Cotton Classic in color 103, much like the Lorna's Laces shown in the pattern. I love those colors. I may have to hunt around to other yarn shops before I start though. I was only able to buy 4 balls, for a total of 432 yards. But I can at least Knit the width (increase rounds)until I get through one ball, then use 2 for the length, and one for the decrease rounds. What do you think?

A little behind the times

2006-03-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

I know that the Lucy bag pattern has been around for quite a while now, I'm a little slow I know but I just completed one for a SP....TA DA!

A little late then never.. Now I'm really liking this bag the more I sit and look at it.. the pictures really do it no justice what so ever. More info & photos on my blog
now off to finish a couple old projects wayyyy late in getting them done too. A Soliel & a Hourglass in progress

My next BTT project

2006-03-07T19:39:00.000-08:00

Hi! Oh how I wish it could be Ribbi Cardi Liz! But my daughter has been very patient and I must make her Kyoto. It's a good thing that mine Ribbi will be in cotton fleece, incase I am stuck knitting it this summer!

I am currently swatching knitpicks shine in River and Grass Grass is the main color and River the bottom band. This should be interesting. After knitting with double and triple yarns and even worsted, I feel like I am knitting string. The shine is very soft and will be very drapey too. I also have some in Orchid for a tank for me this summer.

As for my Clapotis...still on the needles....so far, but taking a backseat again! ;)

I killed the Clapotis

2006-03-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

Maybe it was the weird state I was in after the Knitting Olympics, but when I picked my Clap back up I just didn't like it. I think it's the yarn. It's far too dark for a Clap, especially with spring looming. I want a bright bunch of changing colors like everyone else has.

*Yes, I would jump off the darn bridge...*

So I killed it.

The needles have been removed and the remains are in a basket just waiting to be ripped and rewound. The Knitting Police have not come, although I am still peeking furtively from behind the curtains, watching.

I feel guilty, but I am going to move on and make Branching Out.

Time to start my next BTT object

2006-03-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

. . . the Ribby Cardi. Maybe I'll even finish it in time to get some wear out of it this year. Otherwise, it'll be a next-winter thing.

Here we go!

2006-03-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

Hi Im Molly and I'm starting my clapotis today. I got some really neat yarn and I want to see how it holds up. Its 220 yarn in Berry Mix here is a picture of it:
I am a knitter who is very new, but I took into knitting very fast and didnt start very traditionally. I found something I wanted to make and dove in head first. Now I want to knit just about everything.
I chose this because its not a sock... its not a sweater (my first sweater comes later, when the yarn comes in). Its red and pink (spot on for Project Spectrum) and I can learn with it. Wish me luck... I'm a bit weary about this project, so Im glad you all are here!! Alright, im done blabbing on... Later knitters!!

Clapotis Fini!

2006-02-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

My KO project of a clapotis is complete. I used a silk/merino from ebay seller LotusBlossom, and I'm very happy with it. Now if only I could wear it. Our Spring weather has disappeared and it's cold and rainy :-(.

A realization

2006-02-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

No more Cozy. The yarn was all wrong anyways. I have bigger problems. I think I'm going to set my olympic project to the side and start Clapotis and a sock I had started the day before the opening ceremony.

The Ribby Cardi is KILLING me. I'm not enjoying the knit. I'm doing it purely for the finished product. Normally I would have something else going to break up the monotony but when you're in a time crunch there's no room for multiple projects.

I've been unusually busy here lately. I look to my knitting as a way to unwind...even if I don't get to it until everone is asleep and I'm watching Jay Leno. Forcing myself to knit something that I am not particularly enjoying and telling myself I have to do it before the 26th turns my enjoyable activity into just another chore.

I've got this wonderful yarn (Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb and Artyarns Ultramerino 6) that is calling~no, yelling my name and I must answer it!

If you've made it this far here's the deal. My Behind the Times project is going to be a Clapotis in the Jeans colourway of LL Lion & Lamb :o)

Add another Clapotis to the list.

2006-02-14T20:28:00.000-08:00

My order has been placed with KnitPicks, and I'm now waiting for seven skeins of Andean Silk to arrive in the mail. It may take awhile though, because DH's Visa account has been frozen for security reasons. He's a victim of credit card fraud. Someone on the other side of the country used his number to buy gas. Visa says they got DH's number by double-swiping his card in Vancouver and tranferring the information to a blank card. Somehow, that was then all sent to Ontario. Anyway, hopefully KnitPicks can place my order now that my card has been "unfrozen".

Looking forward to reading about everyone else's projects! The FO's already posted are beautiful!

Sitcom Chic Progress

2006-02-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

I finished knitting the main part of the body tonight:

Now I can take a short break and get to work on the sleeves.

Clapotis on hold

2006-02-12T20:50:00.000-08:00

I was 4 repeats into section 3 when Friday arrived and it had to be put aside. I am trying to do my first sweater for the Knitting Olympics - Knitty's Tubey. The Clap will just have to wait - I want a gold medal! ;-)

darbyrose

Show and tell time

2006-02-11T08:36:00.000-08:00

The mandatory "Clapotis in Nature" shot

Clapotis Fountain

Inaugural Wearing

I haven't taken a measuring tape to it yet, but with 15 repeats in the straight section, it is long enough that I can wrap it around my neck once and tie it in a knot. I think it is similar in dimension to a pashmina type shawl (but thicker, of course).

Wait, from the ORIGINAL SnB? Darn that's old!

2006-02-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

Kittyville Hat, SnB. Lionbrand CottonEase, and Bernat Boucle (this stuff never dies, I swear the ball goes on and on and on). Size 8 needles.

This hat would have taken a few hours, if I had knit on it for any length of time. I didn't add the earflaps, since I would have had to bust into another skein, and well, I didn't want to.

I much prefer ribbed bands, since this hat is a bit big, and it would of made it fit better. Bella was upset that she's never in photos so I dragged her into this one.

Meow!

Finished Clapotis and still sane!

2006-02-08T07:39:00.000-08:00

I finished my Clapotis last night. I've taken some pictures, but will have to wait until I get back from holiday to post them.

I ended up having to make 2 runs to a LYS to buy "one last" skein of ribbon. One of the skeins must be because I added an extra 3 repeats to the straight section, but I cannot explain the 2nd skein. I initially miscalculated how much yarn I would need (to be honest, I misread the entry in the Yahoo Clapotis KAL database), but then I would have sworn that I subsequently purchased enough to finish it off. But I have searched through our car and suitcases, and have not come up with a missing skein. Instead I am attributing it to the fact that time and space are altered by the clapotis.

2006-02-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

Finally finished ChicKami this morning (my consolation for being home sick the last two days), but no pictures to post yet. Now I have a few days to relax before I start Sitcom Chic on Friday.

Pigpotis

2006-02-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

Because I'm shameless and because my guinea pigs are cute, here is another picture of my clapi with the piggies. Excuse the blurriness.

indecision

2006-02-04T22:14:00.000-08:00

Have to make a decision - I have officially finished the straght section (have dropped 12 stitches). I think I need to increase the length a bit, but I am not sure if I should do 14 or 15 dropped stitches. I want to avoid unlucky 13, and I am slightly swayed by the fact that 15 repeats would be divisible by 3, which will give it something in common with the 12 repeats that are called for in the pattern.

I am such a numbers geek.

Killing two birds with one stone

2006-02-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

Well, since the KAL for the Jaywalker socks is officially closed, I figure that it qualifies as a behind-the-times project. I've chosen it as my Knitting Olympics challenge and will be casting on during opening ceremonies on February 10. I'm using Socks That Rock in the Queen Rock colorway--I swatched last night (Olympics training dontcha know) and I was positively swooning over the yarn's wonderfulness. Can't wait to start! In the meantime, I'm doing another sort of behind the times project--a multidirectional scarf for each of my two girls in Araucania Atacama alpaca, in a lovely pink/red variegated colorway. Hat and scarf (scarf is also out of Atacama, in a black/charcoal.grey/white colorway) for DH are done, just need to be blocked. Busy me!

Another clapotis--finis!

2006-02-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

Yep, I finished my mini clap last night and wove in (all 4 of the) ends. Blocking and photo to come...

I quit Clapotis.

2006-02-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

At least, the one I had started and abandoned after the second column of dropped stitches. Remember how I said it was for a friend's mother? And I ended really not liking her once I met her? Well, that friend is no longer a friend (better explanation on my blog) so the Clapotis is no longer my project either. Now I can start it over for myself, in yarn I like. Which, I'll have to think about. I had bought Red Heart in a really cool green, blue and yellowish variagation. But now I don't know. I'm gonna have to think. But, I am doing a Booga Bag. That's gotta count for this knit-a-long - right?

Very behind.

2006-01-31T10:55:00.000-08:00

I'm just starting the Kittyville Hat that is also in Stitch N Bitch.

How darn behind is that? I'm making it out of Black Cotton Ease. Another "behind the times".

Maybe I should put in Flashdance to watch as I knit ;)

An experiment in speed and concentration

2006-01-31T10:04:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of days I couldn't make up my mind. With Ella done and the Knitting Olympics right around the corner I had a window of opportunity to start, and finish, something. I've started River, Essential Stripe, a baby vest, a hat and a curly scarf. I've finished the curly scarf and the hat...LOL! Nothing else held my attention for some reason. I think I've finally decided on cozy.

I'd say it's considered 'behind the times' and I already had the yarn (Lavold Silky Wool) in my stash so why not? Question is, can I finish it before the 10th of February? We shall see. I just (as in 10 minutes ago) cast on. Wish me luck!

Clapotis - another dimension

2006-01-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

For some reason, my clapotis is able to ignore the laws of physics and create extra stitches for reasons that are beyond me. I just finished row where I dropped a stitch, and I had to end up purling 2 stitches together right at the start. And I am sure that I purled 2 tog at the end of the previous row!!

This happened to me just before I dropped my first stitch, and it caused me to spend an hour or 2 looking at various KAL and knittyboard postings to figure out what happened.

I think part of the problem may have been that said row was knitted while on an airplane - my blood oxygen level would have been lower because of the low atmospheric pressure, and I didn't realize what I was doing. But I still prefer my theory that the clapotis exists in a dimension outside our own.

Still behind the times

2006-01-30T07:06:00.000-08:00

So, I thought I was a bit further along than I was (I had counted the first column of dropped stitches as the beginning of my 13 dropped stitch repeats--whoops). I have one more column of dropped stitches to complete, and then I begin the decreases.

If you're a BTAL-er who feels woefully behind the times on their clapotis (or catpotis, or other project!), don't worry you're not!

Crapi Clapi Pic

2006-01-30T06:42:00.000-08:00

Yuck! Can I just say that I am NOT a fan of the phone in my camera? The walls of my office are off-white, toward cream. They are not a screaming chartreuse. And the yarn for the Clapotis is Brooks Farm FourPlay, colorway "classy," not colorway "crappy" or colorway "muddy." But, hey, this is the only picture I've had the chance to take of it, so here it is. I promise to try and take more tout de suite. In the meantime, feast your eyes on this (and go away starving, please . . .).

Look Ma, no stitch markers!!

2006-01-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

Allow me to present the catpotis
She can't find the stitch markers

I switched to purling the stitch that will be dropped instead of using stitch markers. The markers were popping off of the needle from time to time, and since I plan to be knitting on an airplane, I thought I would try going without. It's working out well; the purled stitches make a bit of a ridge in the knit that is a milder version of the effect you get with the dropped stitch.
Mental note if I ever knit something with ribbon yarn again: it drops stitches easily.
Very easily.
Some might say too easily.

2006-01-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'm done! I decided that once I got DH's hat done I could go back to clapotis and still have enough time to get his scarf done by his birthday. This was a fun, satisfying knit. I see more of these in my future (way, way in my future, after the other things in my queue!). For those who keep track of such things, I used Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb, Gold Hill colorway. It took a little less than 3.5 skeins.

Hello!

2006-01-26T19:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the invite - another behind the times gal joining in the fun! My name is Felicia and I'm currently knitting ChicKami (as a lead in to Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics when I'll be working to get Sitcom Chic done in 16 days). Both are in a minty shade of Lion Brand CottonEase.

I love looking at everyone's Clapotis'. I've made two less than full size versions and have some Schaefer Marjaana for a full size one and matching hat. Here's one done in a handpainted wool/mohair blend.

I'm not used to blogging on a regular basis (as you can see from the blog here created in 2003), but I will check in periodically with updates.

D-O-N-E

2006-01-25T05:45:00.000-08:00

Done. My Clapotis is done. D. O. N. E. done. And it's pretty impressive, too. I currently have it dry-blocking (yes, that's a term I just made up) on my wall at work. I'm trying to get the two corners that keep pulling in not to do that -- I'd like it to be a rectangle rather than a parallelagram (OK, I'd like it to be a parallelagram with 90-degree corners). It's probably about six feet long (I'm 5'6" and cannot stretch it to its full length just by holding the ends in my hands and pulling) and three-ish feet wide. In other words, it's huge. And I love it. I wore it this morning in the cold and the snow and it kept me so very cozy and warm.

As I put it on this morning, I showed it off to Girl Warrior and Destructo Girl (my kids, ages 5 and 3 respectively). Girl Warrior's first reaction was quite gratifying: "Can I have it?" I said no, but offered to make her a smaller one. So perhaps I am now on my way to being one of those people who makes a zillion Clapotises. I wouldn't mind. It's a fun knit.

Next: socks for me (not so behind-the-times I know, as socks are always current, but I plan to follow along here and I WILL be back when I start working on my Ribby Cardi or on a Moebius or on Samus or . . .).

ribbon clapotis - behind the times and on the edge!

2006-01-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

After much time and energy spent on trying to figure out what yarn I should use, I decided to use Crystal Palace "Party". Here's how the dropped stitches look with ribbon:

I've just dropped my 5th stitch, so I am not quite halfway through. Realized that I horribly underestimated my yarn requirements - bought 4 skeins, and I am just about finished my 3rd one now. Luckily when I went to my LYS, there were still 3 of them remaining.

I am going on a trip next week, and am taking clapotis along with me to knit on the plane. I suspect that I will finish it on the trip down, or shortly thereafter (6 hours of flying time plus 2 hours waiting to connect), so I am trying to decide what other project I should take with me. Current frontrunners are: checkerboard patterned tank which is 60-75% done; cardigan in bulky yarn, or a halter top from a Schachenmeyer book in Crazy Cotton (I bought the yarn and book last January - come to think of it, I bought some yarn at a clearance sale this spring for another top from that book). I haven't swatched for the cardigan or either halter yet...

Outdoor Clapotis Pictures

2006-01-22T06:19:00.000-08:00

Here are the long-promised pictures of my progress as of Friday:

Enjoy!

Clapotis update

2006-01-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

I've started the decrease section! This one is fun: you get to drop TWO stitches (one at each end of the row) for every twelve-row repeat. But I have a question: Why, when I am knitting something in stockinette and I /accidentally/ drop a stitch, does it immediately run 12 rows down, but when I drop a Clapotis stitch /intentionally/ I have to fight with it to get it to go three or four rows? (I exagerate a little here -- it's not all that hard to get the stitch to drop, but it does seem to be more effort than it should be, given how much effort I have to put into keeping an unintentional drop from dropping further).

Today was warm and sunny here, so I took some outdoor pictures of the Clapotis, which I will try to post tonight.

New here!

2006-01-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

I just joined today! I'm so behind the times it isn't funny! Ask my family.....LOL I still like leg warmers and like to wear stretch pants with my socks outside the cuffs....LOL YES I DO!!! Besides that my knitting.....I've recently started my hourglass that I've been puting off many many times....then the soilel is still on the needles as well as some under unemntionables right now. This KAL is so fitting!
Thanks for inviting me! Looking forward to completing some things this year as well as seeing what others have done

I Finished the Hourglass Sweater

2006-01-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

It's finished and I love it! I think that I will get a ton of wear out of this sweater. I might start my clapotis soon!

Moving right along

2006-01-14T22:09:00.000-08:00

Well so far I've done section 2 once. This is the section where I only do the repeats for as wide as I want to go...so who knows. I am thinking I'll need about 3 or more repeats of the section. According to the kpixie pattern it was only once plus rows 1-6 again. So far it is not too hard...remember I said so far...hehe... one of those dropped stitches....update w/pic tomorrow :)

UPDATE 1/15: On section 2 for 2nd time, progress so far. The SG is nice to knit with. That's all I need to do, get addicted to another fiber :)

Dodged a bullet!

2006-01-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

Whew! I had to join in new yarn not at the edge awhile back and as I progressed I noted that my join was going to be very close to where a dropped stitch ladder was going to fall. The closer I got to that spot, the more it looked like the the join was going to be exactly where the ladder was going to be. Tonight I dropped the stitch for that ladder, and the clapotis gods must have been smiling on me because the join was just one stitch over. There probably would have been some way to remedy the problem had it occurred, but I was just so relieved that I didn't have to go there.

My progress continues to be slow as I find other projects that I feel compelled to do (scarf and hat for DH since the hat I made him for Xmas just didn't turn out right, mittens or scarves or Kates or felted crowns for my girls, who haven't gotten anything knitted from me in a looooong time. You get the picture.). I hate knitter's guilt! Clapotis probably won't be done until March sometime at the rate I'm going. That's still early enough to get some use out of her before the weather gets too hot (here in New England), right?

I finally started mine!

2006-01-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

And with this post I am at last officially participating in one of the KALs I have joined over the past months.

Can anyone say 'Flake'? ;-)

I am being cheap with this first one and using Woolease in the Pine colorway. I live in the middle of Illinois where it gets cooold - at least it is supposed to be cold at this time of the year - and this should be warm and able to survive my hubby's laundry days. Plus, I saw a shawl being made out of this at my SnB and loved the color so much that I bought 5 skeins at the Michael's next door to our meeting...lol!

Went through the Section 1 and the first of the 13 repeats of Section 2 quickly, stopping for a soda break before I knit some more. Hubby is working tonight and we are all watching the Bears play tomorrow, so I foresee a great deal of Clapotis Progress this weekend. I'll post a pic when I drop some stitches.

Debi

Clapotis cast on

2006-01-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

Finally, I made myself do this. I really wanted to knit with that silk garden staring at me :). I got through section one, that is after I researched how the heck to do a pfb. Started with my Denise needles, but was too slippery, so switched to bamboo, did a few rows then back to the Denise's. I like the sharp point on them, and with doing a lot of pfb's/kfb's I knew I would need them. I have the next 5 days off and hope to get a few more repeats done then I'll post a pic.
Dropping stitches someday...will I ever??

Making Progress

2006-01-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

I've dropped 2 stitches now. On purpose! Whee! I did have a problem when I dropped the first one. I misinterpreted the instructions for picking up the bar and knitting it and the next through the back legs. I did just that. Meaning, I knit them each separately through their back legs and kept on. I didn't do a K2togbl. When I got to the next knit row and realized my mistake, I tinked back to the purl side, purled 2tog, put that stitch back on the left needle and p2tog again. It looks alright. But I'll know better next time. Geez.

Five stitches dropped

2006-01-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

I've completed five of the thirteen middle section repeats, and am starting to lose interest (don't worry; this always happens; it's a transient thing -- I just have to (1) come up with what my next project will be so as to motivate me to finish this one, and then (2) power through the middle part doldrums of this one until I get to the point that (3) the fact of being close to completion provides motivation enough). I'm thinking the next big project (I've decided socks, mittens, hats, scarves, wine cozies, etc. don't count) might be a Moebius scarf. (WaitAMinute, did I just say scarves don't count? I take it back).

Anyone interested in a Moebius behind-the-times? Of course, the fact that I am contemplating it now probably means I won't be starting it until June or so, so feel free to take your time responding.

Progress to date, sockus interruptus

2006-01-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

So, I've completed 3 columns of dropped stitches. I now understand why people compalin about pulling apart those ladders (damn alpaca fibers, grabbing hold of one another!). So far, so good, however, and I think it's going to look good in the end (fingers crossed...). Either that, or it's a gift for somebody who's not as picky as me!

However, tomorrow night a start a sock class, I'm taking my 2.5 year old out of town for a long weekend, and then the SO will be out of town next week for work. So, I sense of significant slow down in my rate of progress. Will post pics at some point!

How's everybody else doing?

Guilt and getting more behind.

2006-01-08T09:33:00.001-08:00

It's been a productive week of knitting, I'll say that much. I started and *finished* a baby blanket, *plus* matching booties, *plus* another pair of booties (same pattern, different yarn), *plus* I completed another repeat of section 3 of clapotis (so yes, I have now successfully dropped stitches. Twice. So cool!). Last night the fam and I went out to our standby eatery for dinner and ran into the parents of the recipient of the blanket and booties. They were there with the baby (now 3 weeks old), but without her older sib. Parents told me he was home with grandma (here visiting from PA for a couple of weeks).

Parents regaled me with all the evil doings of Older Sib--clearly, adjusting to a baby sister, along with holiday activities, etc., have not been easy for him (he's 2.5 years old). Parents looked like they were totally grooving on being away from Older Sib, for at least a couple of hours (yes, he's been that bad). I felt sorry for them, and for Older Sib, too.

After completing booties set#2 last night and feeling totally without guilt for picking up clapotis again, I woke up this morning feeling like I couldn't very well show up with handknitted gifts for the baby without having something for her big brother, too. I've been eyeing Kate from the current Knitty (in utter violation of the rules of this knitalong) and decided she'd make a fine new friend for Older Sib. I've got appropriate yarn in my stash, so I think I'm going to continue putting clapotis on hold (so that I'll be even further behind the times) and get started on Kate.

Someone please revoke my knitting license.

2006-01-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

When I picked up my Clap last night to continue on with the increases, I started knitting...on the purlside. Did two rows wrong and had to tink back. I am a certifiable idiot. But I got through one more increase section finally.

Here's another question for y'all. If I'm planning on making this a shawl, and it says increase until it's as wide as you want (looking at the right side of the right side), don't the dropped stitches end up widening it as well? How do I figure out how wide it's really gonna be?

Cast on last night...

2006-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I finally joined y'all in this KAL. I started Clapotis last night, this one's a gift. Had a bit of a shaky start, but once my brain woke up and remembered SSK it's been good.

Question, is everyone slipping their stitches purlwise?

Mini-clapotis to come...

2006-01-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to have found other knitters who *still* haven't knit a clapotis, yet want to! Must cast on, must cast on, must cast on...

(I'm doing [scratch that, planning] a mini-clap in blue sky alpaca silk in black (I'm not a vareigated gal). Will post pics when, well, umm, I guess when there's something to see besides two hanks and some needles sitting next to them!)

Dropped a stitch last night

2006-01-04T20:11:00.000-08:00

And, miracle of miracles, the world did not stop turning on its axis. More to the point, I intentionally dropped the stitch, and still the sun rose in the east again this morning (well, this being New England in wintertime, we could debate whether I actually saw the sun at all today, but I have faith that it was there, behind those nasty grey clouds).

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the Clapotis right before the stitch-drop moment; I was afraid I'd wind up having to frog the entire thing (or a substantial portion of it) and wanted photographic proof that I actually had made some progress.

Here is the knit side of it.

And here is a close-up of the purl side. You can see where the twist-knit-twist triad of stitches creates a little crease in the fabric. It's actually kinda neat.

I'm making it out of the Brooks Farm Four Play yarn, in the "classy" colorway (which, looking at their site, seems no longer to be available). The yarn is fabulous, and has a wonderful sheen to it. The colors are probably a little more drab than I would like -- except that the purpose of this particular Clapotis is for me to wear at work on those days when the heat just cannot keep up with the cold of the New England winter (or in the summer, when the air conditioning is winning its race with our summers). Consequently, it has to go well with most/all of my work clothes, many of which are somewhat ~~drab~~ neutral.

And, in other news, I took a little time this evening and made a button for us so that if you have a blog you can add the button. Please be sure, though, to save the image to your own hosting site or account and link to it there. Thanks!

My First Full Length Sweater

2006-01-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

The pattern from the past that I decided to do is the hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The yarn I'm using is 100% alpaca Puno by Filatura Lanaroto that I picked up at the Smiley's yarn riot in Manhattan last month. It's going well and I can't wait to wear it!

I'm going to Branch Out!

2006-01-02T15:14:00.000-08:00

I started my Clapotis ages ago, but it's an "I'm in the car, waiting for one of my kids to get out of practice" project. I'm finally to the point where I've dropped one stitch. It was very exciting!

So I've decided to knit an also very Behind The Times classic, Branching Out. I have some Harris Tweed Textiles Shetland 4 Ply in Jalapeno from Elann that I'm going to use. I've never knitted lace before, so wish me luck!

Question on Section 2

2006-01-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Just to confirm, on Section 2: Where it says repeat rows 1-12 six more times, this means I'll end up with a total of seven repeats, right?

Carolyn, I think ulimtately it unravels all the way down, but that you just need to let it unravel a bit so you can pick up the bar and continue on your merry way. I must admit that my trepidation when I get to that point won't be that I'm not going to be able to be precise enough in my unraveling, but rather that maybe somewhere in there I forgot to knit through the BACK loop, and the whole darned thing is going to start unraveling. It'll be a scary, scary moment for me. But for now, I'm still knitting along in the comfort of Section 2. I've completed four of the seven repeats, and am taking my daughter for a snowboard lesson tomorrow (during which I will sit in the lodge and knit to my heart's content).

Dropping stitches...yikes.

2005-12-31T11:33:00.000-08:00

Okay. I've started my clapotis and have managed to get to row 8 of the first repeat of section 3 with nary a snag. In fact, it zipped right along. It's pretty much straight stockinette, with a few twists (pun intended) to keep you paying at least some attention. My fabric is luscious and just what I had hoped for (I'm using the recommended Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb). So far so good. Now I've reached the point in the pattern where the alleged "fun" begins. Dropping stitches. On purpose. Does anyone have any light to shed on the directive that reads, "P1, remove marker, drop next st, let it drop down several rows, pick up top bar with left needle to form a new st (make sure this st isn't twisted)..." How does one do this? How do you make sure that the stitch doesn't continue to unravel beyond where you want it to? Is there some way to make sure that you're unraveling the same number of rows on subsequent dropped stitches? I have little experience with such things and a complete inability to visualize where these instructions will take me. Am I thinking too much about this? Do I just need to have faith? I've decided to work on a friend's very safe baby blanket until I get some assurances that I'm not about to wreck my clapotis simply by following the instructions.

Do you think...

2005-12-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

I could make a Clap out of a worsted weight 85% wool/15% mohair blend? It's a heavier worsted (4 sts = 1" on size 9s) in the MOST gorgeous colourway...Columbine. It's Wonderful Wool by Steadfast Fibers and the sample doesn't do it justice.

Or will it not be drapey enough, and it will look crummy?

Be honest, please.

Thanks!!!!

Noro Silk Garden

2005-12-28T15:19:00.000-08:00

Well, after much thought, I have decided to go with this,

Colorway 87 I recently acquired 4 skeins in a swap, and I really like the colors, even better in person. So, I know it won't be enough yarn for the normal sized Clapotis, but I think after reviewing the pattern, a wide scarf size will be perfect for me. I just hope I calculate correctly, cause I would hate to have to frog it near the end.

Besides, I really wanted to use the Pansy sock garden...for socks LOL! I love the colorway and want to make something I'll wear a lot.

Good luck to everyone trying to figure out theirs. BTW, has anyone cast on yet? I am trying to finish up a few things this week, so I can start soon.

Four Play

2005-12-28T06:06:00.000-08:00

I'm planning on using the Brooks Farm Four Play yarn -- I even have it in my stash (having ordered it about three months ago, when I intended to start the Clapotis. I have to admit, though, that I'd be very interested in making a smaller sized Clapotis, which I'm sure could easily be accomplished just by using a yarn with a smaller gauge. You could still get some truly gorgeous drape, without having the heft and bulk that comes from the larger gauges. In thinking about it, I think the drape is the essence of the Clapotis in that the gauge can change, the number of repeats can change, you can vary the color, the fiber, and everything else -- just be careful not to use anything too stiff or tight. I haven't yet made a Clap, though (this is, after all, the Behind The Times Along), so I could be totally off base.

Yarn Help... PLEASE!!!!

2005-12-27T15:46:00.000-08:00

I'm still fairly a beginner so I'm at a loss as to what to use for the clapotis - nothing too expensive, but I don't want to use red heart if you know what I mean (though I have pondered Simply Soft, lol)

I saw some really pretty cotton sport weight yarn that I wondered about - but how much would I need to adapt the pattern for sportweight? Somehow simply soft, and almost every worsted weight I can find in the cheap stuff seems like it will feel too heavy for clapotis...

Maybe part of it is my fear that I don't wear scarves enough now, and I'm possibly moving someplace warmer (though the possibility is just as likely of moving some place colder, though that isn't a pleasant thought right now - oh the fun of post grad school job hunting)

Anyway - if I want something that will feel lighter than simply soft, is going sport weight my only option? And why aren't there cheap silk blends to be had for that matter, LOL (I know I know - I should just be thankful we actually have affordable wool in ACMoore and Hobby Lobby now...)

Cashmere Clap, anyone?

2005-12-26T15:58:00.000-08:00

I ordered some samples of the 100% cashmere yarn from ColourmartUK last week. Since I'm making a clapotis for my wedding, I thought ivory or cream cashmere would be yummy!

I was thinking about using a fingering or dk weight, and just adding in add'l increases until it's wide enough to suit me...

It's prep time - YARN time!! - for the Clapotis...

2005-12-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

I see several of us are thinking about doing a Clapotis. And I know yarn selection is exciting and potentially tricky, so perhaps we could help one another by posting the yarn we're going to use, along with the needle size.

The pattern calls for Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb (50% silk, 50% wool; 205yd/184m per 100g skein). It's worsted weight (18 sts = 4 in on size 8 US/5 mm needles).

I see Zonda is thinking about using Sock Garden. That's fingering weight (29-32 sts = 4 in on size 1-3 US needles). Are you planning on doubling it? Adjusting the pattern?

I was thinking about Brooks Farm Yarn Four Play, but would be interested in learning about less expensive alternatives.

I'd love to learn from this...I know there are several threads on the Knittyboard that address yarn subs, but I'd love to hear from you :-).

Thanks Team!!!!

Anyone for some Clapotis?

2005-12-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I've worked my way to the point in my queue where I get to decide: Samus, Clapotis, Ribby Cardi, more scarves and hats and gloves and socks, Fuzzy Feet, or something else? I'm thinkin' Clapotis, and I'm thinking I'm going to start it sometime in early January. Might any of you be interested in joining me in this endeavor?

I may work on Clapotis in parallel with the "more scarves and hats and gloves and socks" option as well -- I think it'll be nice to have one large, longer-term project going at the same time as smaller, shorter-term projects.

Hi everyone!

2005-12-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

My name is Jessica, I go by Knit Wit at the Knitty Coffeeshop. I'm looking forward to this KAL. I've been thinking about knitting a clapotis for my wedding next November (getting hitched on the beach!). If I can find the perfect yarn, I think that will be my next project. You can check out my current projects on my blog, Ariadne's Thread.

Come join us!

2005-12-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

Is it December, and you're just getting to the lace project for which you purchased yarn in June? Perhaps it's January and you're finally starting on your Christmas knitting. Or maybe it's somewhere in the middle of 2006, and you've worked through your queue of built-up knitting projects to the point where you're casting on for Clapotis.

Welcome fellow traveler well met! You are among friends here.

I am starting this KAL because I find myself adding items to my queue just as everyone else is raving about how much fun they are to knit. But then I have to work through all the other items I added previously, with some detours into smaller objects that will be immediately useful (scarves, hats, etc) and necessary. So I don't get around to the trendy, everyone-must-knit-one object until LONG after the KAL for the object has closed or died out.

It's not that I procrastinate on starting these things, it's simply that I take care of my to-knit list in roughly chronological order.

If you're the same way (or even if you're not, but feel like hanging out, knitting (virtually) alongside people who are knitting items that are so very YESTERDAY), come on in, the water's fine! To join, email me at fidoknits1 at gmail dot com .