Chicabean’s Clapotis

I finally finished Chicabean’s Clapotis, she asked for one after seeing mine last year. She wanted something neutral that she can wear over dresses so I chose grey. I used KnitPicks Elegance (alpaca and silk) so it would be a bit finer and thiner. It has all the elegance and grace that is Clapotis. It looks great, it’s warm and soft and I think it’s the perfect length and width for what she wants to use it for. I hope she thinks so too. I sent it off to her on Monday. Perfect timing since her birthday is this week. Happy Birthday Chicabean! She turns 30!

What can I say about Clapotis that hasn’t already been said?

Stats:

• Pattern: Clapotis
• Cast on:January
• Weaving in: May 27th
• Needles: 7
• Yarn: KnitPicks Elegance

I’m pretty sure this wont be my last Clapotis!

Oscar

Wow! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, whatever “it” is, I knew I’d lost “it” when I spelled my name wrong over the phone and gave someone a phone number that I haven’t had for years! Luckily things are getting better. Just waiting on the appraisal for the house then we close on the 29th. I’m looking at 2 more apartments tomorrow then I’ll pick one. So packing and moving, but that’s not too bad.

This weekend I created an etsy store for the wine charms, I thought more people would see them that way. Hurray! I’ll be so glad when they are all gone!

I’m still knitting away on the Central Park Non Hoodie and I’m almost done with the front halves, then on to the sleeves! Hopefully I’ll get lots done this weekend!

Clapotis 2.1 is progressing nicely. I’m using KnitPicks Elegance and it’s so soft! It will be a beautiful wrap when it’s done!

Neither projects make good pictures right now so… Look! Over there! It’s a cute doggie!

You Like Me! You really like me!

I cast off for Tree Jacket last night, now just to get it blocked! Expect to see a FO this weekend!

I’ve cast on for my second Clapotis, this one is for my sister by special request. It’s Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk, yum!

I’m also working a on shrug, that I’m sort of making up as I go. I’ll let you know how it works out

I haven’t touched any of my other WiPs lately. I’m planning to cast on for the Central Park Hoodie this weekend and start working on the Hemlock Ring Blanket again. I need to get that thing finished before it gets warm, because no one wants a wool blanket on their lap when it’s hot out! I’ll probably work on the Melon Pattern Scarf when I’m itching for lace.

I got nominated for this award over at Ruby’s n Purls How cool is that? She says I “do Yarn Pr0n Fridays like no other” And Carol over a Knitting Knot nominated me too!

Here’s how it works: Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about Blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times!

I gotta admit picking 10 is going to be hard for me! I almost considered not doing it because I don’t want anyone to feel left out. But I also think it’s important to acknowledge the people who make a difference in our lives, so in no particular order, here are my 10

• Robin over at Yarn Crawl – she’s a knitting inspiration! She knits so fast, she’s so nice and always helpful, plus did you know she has an almost encyclopedic memory of knitting patterns she’s looked at. Really, it’s amazing.
• Sauntering Soul – Not a knitter, I read her blog for a slice of life What can I say? If we lived in the same city I’m 99% sure we’d be friends. She’s smart, funny, nice and real.
• Sharon at Holly Knit Balls – I love her attitude and we’re a lot a like!
• Emily at Skyline Chilly – She was my upstream pal on my first (and last) Secret Pal. She was awesome as a pal, even better, when the exchange was over she kept on being awesome.
• Turtlegirl76- she was one of the first knitting blogs I started reading. She always leaves helpful comments and suggestions. Just reading her knitting blog is an inspiration!
• Weezelana over at Knittywhipped – she’s funny, she’s smart, she’s an awesome knitter. ‘Nuf said.
• Megan at Life Stories of a Girl and Her Neuroses – Another non knitting blog. This one is always good for a laugh. She keeps it real and it’s always nice to know you’re not the last single girl on the planet
• Adrienne of Real Life: Live and Unscripted – she knits, sews, scrapbooks, does podcasts, takes great pictures, posts Throw Back Fridays, what doesn’t this girl do? And she does it all with an amazing attitude.
• Kara over at Knitting Lemonade, she’s quitting her job to go live abroad. I am green with envy and I can’t wait to read about her adventures!
• Lara at Yarn It – among other things, she’s going back to school and still finds time to knit!

Clapotis, she is finished

What can I say about Clapotis that has not already been said? Even though I’d read lots and lots of blogs posts and opinions about it, I waffled on this so much as I knit it. Should I have used a more slippery yarn? Would I actually wear it? Then when I was finally done I thought it was too long. I put off weaving in because I thought I might want to frog it. But it’s done I love it. I stays put, its soft and snuggly and it will be warm. Plus every time I put it on I’m overcome with the desire to sit at a sidewalk cafe and sip coffee while smoking cigarettes.

The stats

• Cast On: July 2007
• Weaving In: August 13th 2007
• Pattern: Clapotis
• Needles: Size 9 Knit Picks Options
• Yarn: KnitPicks Andean Silk in Olive
• Modifications : I have no idea how many repeats of the straight section I did, so there might be more or less

Crack that WiP

Here we have another installment of the sporadic (on my part) WiP it Wednesday. I think the idea is to shame you into finishing projects so you’re not showing the same picture every Wednesday for 6 months. Of course you could not show the picture and deny you’re working on anything. But really if you’re at the point, lying to you fellow knitters, well, I think it’s intervention time.

First up the Mini Cardi that we’ve heard so much about lately. I’m done with the arm hole shaping and working my way up. Like it? Want one of your very own? Join the KAL Yeah Yeah I know it’s August and hot as hell and you can’t even think of wearing wool. I cast on for this on Sunday, so it’s shame free.

The Simple Throw is still on the needles, it’s too hot to have a big acyclic blanket on my lab, luckily it’s a Christmas gift so there is no hurry. The desire to not have heat stroke over rides all shame on this one.

The Lace Tank , well it’s sort of on hold because I only have one set of size 6 tips for my KnitPicks options and I took them to use in the Mini Cardi. Yes I realize with the weather and what not I should focusing on this because it’s something I can actually wear. ha ha ha. I am the Queen of Denial. If I knit for Fall, Fall will come. Right? RIGHT?!?! ok fine slight shame.

Along those same lines we have Clapotis , in which I come very late to the party. Let’s call it fashionably late, shall we? No need for even more shame. This is going to warm and lovely when done. I’m only worried it will shed on my clothes, I envision wearing it over a black top, so every little strand will show. *le sigh* I’m happy with my yarn choice (Andean Silk from KnitPicks) but a little worried I wont have enough yarn to make it as long as I’d like. How much does this stretch when blocked?

Barely started, can it really even be called a WiP? The Feather and Fan Scarf from Fashionable Projects for the New Knitter in Cascade 220

And here comes the unavoidable shame part. I still have not finished the straps for Mentionable . I should be wearing this gorgeous top. It seems ridiculous that this isn’t done jsut because of the straps. I’m going to go by Joanns to see if I can find something suitable to sew on for straps. Any suggestions?