string*THEORY

Clapotis: Finito

The beginning of this story starts about a year and a half ago, on a bumpy but beautiful train ride through the Javanese country side.  A wee (newlywed) string*THEORist started on her Clapotis. And then abruptly stopped, when she realized that she didn't know what half the stitches meant and would be left to an excruciatingly painful dial-up connection in a smokey cafe to figure it out.

Fast forward to January 24th....(and out with the 3rd person stuff, it's a little creepy).

As you know, I picked it up again after giving up on a monster of a lace project, and needing something simple and interesting. Something to show off this beautiful Noro Cash Iroha.

I "caught" Clapotis (apparently it's also a sexually transmitted disease, according to Beth). It's the most attractive diseases, in my opinion. And it's warm too. I remember Stacey telling me about this when I met her Clapotis in person a couple of months ago. I smiled and nodded, thinking "she's nuts, how could a shawl with a million gaping holes be warm?" Kinda like those itchy knit eyelet undies that your mum used to make you wear? Not sure how that correlates, but the point is that Stacey was right.

What do you think about the fabric? Why is it so drapey & light rather then bouncy & bubbly? Well, I would answer you the same way if you asked me "why doesn't your Elf Cap look...uhm...elf-ish?". It's because I have a big head. Wait...uuhhm...and I blocked it too aggressively(?). The truth is, "I don't know"....and "can you tell me?" There's something charming & sophisticated about the flowing drapeiness about it, but I'm curious why it looks nothing like it's millions and millions of blood relatives out there in Clapotiville....

I'm not going to pretend that I loved this pattern from the start. Let's be real here, people. There's a whole lotta stockinette going on...but you learn to love it. The increases and decreases keep you awake and the constant goal of getting to "row 8" where you get to purposely drop stitches is enough to keep you coming back for more.

And now for the specs....

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert

Needles: Size 8 circular Addi Turbos

Yarn: Noro, Cash Iroha. In color 84 "burgundy" which is more like a "magenta". You would laugh if you saw how much I had left of the original 5 balls (490 yards total) from Destash. About 1 yard....and then another 2 full skeins from my "I ran out of yarn scare".  (I'm still kicking myself for that one!)

Modifications: I did one less increase set (section 2) so it wouldn't be so wide. I also did one additional "straight row" set (section 3) which is why it's so long. I like my scarves loooooong, (you know, so I can share).

Time to Knit: Jan. 24th to Feb. 13th, 2007. About 3 weeks.

Other posts on the subject: Starting the Project & Running Out of Yarn, Just Buy More Yarn, Found my Yarn! Sneak Peak

Sneak Peak

One of the things I love about living in San Francisco is all the interesting noises sounds I hear. Especially when I'm sleeping. Like the beautiful chirping of jack-hammers and the beep beep beep of a tractor backing up. For six hours straight.

Ahh....music to my ears.

It didn't stop me from some blogging though! No worries there...did you see some of the new "future projects" I added to my Flickr? Who'd a thought that Lion Brand would have some cute patterns (okay...end of snobby rant <here>!).

What's the sneak peak all about up there? Could it be a blocking of a somethin' somethin'? And maybe a long awaited prize for a certain someone? Hmmmm, only time will tell!

Confessions of the Disorganized

::february 3 of 28::

Remember my problem? And, then remember when you helped me find the answer? So I took your advice and headed down to Imagiknit. I usually go over-board in these types of situations, walking home with like 40 skeins of yarn.

I showed some restraint this time & only bought & wound two. So then where did all that yarn come from, you ask?

Confession: Please knitters, forgive me, for I have sinned.

My house was really messy. While organizing...I magically found (the remaining) 300 yards hidden in some random suitcase stuffed under a desk.

And now, with my tail tucked tightly between my legs, the apologies....

--> Cash Iroha, sorry for accusing you of being cursed & cursing me.

--> Friends, sorry for "crying wolf yarn".

--> Thanks again for the suggestions, I've already begun the striping, which as my punishment (juggling two balls and a really long scarf is a little tricky), I will have to continue for the rest of the excruciatingly long Clapotis...

February & "You Guys Were Right"

Thank you for taking the time help a sista out. I was seriously trippin' about my little Noro Cash Iroha travesty. In the spirit of democracy, I've opted to go with the most popular opinion in the comments of "chill out & buy more fuchsia". I'm on my way doing 2 rows of the old stuff & 2 of the new....you know, to "blend". And honestly, it's working out fine, the yarn tends to be a little "stripey" to begin with. So there you go.

Now, if only I could reconcile the demons in my head punishing me for knitting a $200 scarf.

On to something new.

February & "new beginnings". I'm excited about February for lots of different reasons....it's going to be a good month. I just know it.

-->I'm only traveling for work ONCE this month (& it's to Seattle - yeah!)

-->Hubby's turning 30 (sorry hub's for broad-casting that!)

-->Mama's birthday, Phil's and Susan's too! A special birthday trip to Lake Tahoe...and ooh how I love birthdays!

So, in the spirit of celebrating February, I've decided to document the month in a series of photos. One photo a day, for 28 days. Kind of like "A Day In the Life Of...." books. Do you remember those? I had "A Day in the Life of Spain", my parents gave it to me for my 10th birthday (yes, I was a strange kid). It was my blogging at the time, photos and photos, snapshots of people going about their day....in Spain.

So let's start it off with a shot I grabbed while (finally) organizing my house today:

::february 1 of 28::

::colorful cookies for visiting cousins::

::antique table cloth treasure from antiques by the bay::

::re-upholstered dining room chairs re-vitalized by japanese fabric from berkeley::

Trials & Tribulations of Cash Iroha

Today marks the 15th day this month that I've actually got to spend in my house. And boy did I revel in the "home time" this weekend.

::sipped tea while catching up with tivo::

::spent time with my sisters::

::a little shopping & girl talk with a friend::

::went to a really really bad movie::

That photo above? It's a good movie, called Clapotis. And it was a long time starting. Do you recognize the yarn? You shouldn't , it hasn't made it's debut here yet, but it's been making me uncomfortable for awhile.

The story of this yarn begins in blogistan and has traveled about so much that I could probably write a children's book about it.

I've always wanted to knit with this super soft cashmere...wool...silk blend snuggly stuff, but could never bring myself to footing the hefty bill for mediocre yardage. Until, of course I found a bargain on DeStash blog. Awesome. All of a sudden I found myself owning like 600 yards of the stuff.

Noro, Cash Iroha = beautiful yarn with a vibrant sheen & organic feel.

See that gnarly mistake? That's supposed to be a solid border of garter stitch....

I quickly began work on Ene. This was the perfect "special" project for this "special" yarn. I spent a couple of weeks working through this monstrosity of a first lace project.....losing count....mis-judging the chart....basically going crazy.

Then I ran out of yarn.

.....and then I realized that the yarn was really really old with no chance of finding the right dye-lot not to mention that I was 13 stitches short of what I was supposed to have. Yikes.

I put it aside. Took a deep breath. And started a more realistic project.

After I got over the fact that I had "wasted" 2 weeks of my knitting life (I know, I know, you learn something from every mistake), I frogged. And frogged and frogged....and started clapotis.

Ooh and guess what....I'M RUNNING OUT OF YARN AGAIN! I'm only half way done....DAMNIT!!

My questions to you:

1. Am I cursed?

2. Is this yarn cursed?

3. Am I just stupid & trying to blame that on this poor innocent yarn?

4. What do I do?

5. Do I buy more of the same color, after all, it's a scarf & the dye lot won't be that noticeable.

6. Do I switch the color mid-way? If so, what color would look nice with this fuchsia?

Forecast reads: DONE!

Well, what can I say? I love it.  It's warm and unique and flattering (I know, a little humility goes a long way). Seriously though, this was such a super-satisfying project...for many reasons...the yarn (Cascade 220 - a favorite, I hear) was great to work with, with good yardage ~ I made the whole thing with about 3 & 1/4 hanks. It's a super fast knit, keeps you engaged & best of all, it actually looks good & fits well.

As for the specs, I used size 8 & 10's Addi Turbos...I did the ever-famous alterations outlined here by Pinku. I also decreased by a few inches at the wrists (right before the 3 reverse st st rings) for a slimmer fit. The buttons are from, none other then Exclusive Buttons (you all know they're my favorite!).

Let's see...what else...ooh yeah! The pilling...eek, don't like the Cascade 220 pilling thing they've got going on, but I'll live with it - since it's the only real down side to this sweater. What? What's that you say? Ooh, why do my bobbles & cables look f'd up? OOh that! Uuhm...yeah, evidently, I don't know how to read charts...right...more on that here & how I almost e-mailed Stephanie to "correct her" (ouch! that would have been a painful conversation to have). Here's another picture...

Okay, I'm off to finish my Christmas shopping...er...I mean, start my Christmas shopping...

X-Posted here at the KAL.