Clap v2.0
I've had to bond with Clap v2.0. I finished this a couple of weeks ago but...well...didn't really like it. I felt a bit guilty about not liking it, so we decied to spend some time together bonding. We went to SnB together, we went to work together, we sat on the couch and worked on other knitting projects together. We even went to the Christening together.
The trouble all started with blocking. I am still confused about whether or not to block a clap (i'd really like to know what other people think). I didn't block the first one, and I love its curly-goodness. But the curling means it can really only be worn as a 'scarf' and without blocking it isn't long enough to sit comfortably like a wrap. But it has such lovely ridges and bumps, which is a (perhaps the) beautiful feature of the pattern. So when this clap curled even more fiercely I considered the block. Then, with the reckless abandon a few beers inspires, one night I just blocked it.
Then I regretted it. Blocking it changed those lovely little ridges to flat stripes. I suspect I blocked it a bit too heavily (I didn't think there was such a thing as a 'moderate' or 'light' blocking.) It's merino, so it stretched like the clappers (seems 'clappers' can run and stretch).
But I was rewarded by perseverence. The more I wore it, the more the little ridges came back and it reclaimed its curling shape. But it's a gentle curl now, more like a wave than a Shirley Temple ringlet. And the blocking gives it a really nice size. I can wear it as a wrap, with one end over a shoulder and the other pinned on the opposite shoulder. I can pin the edges at the front and wear it as a 'top'. It can be a scarf, or a stole. Lovely.
We have now made our peace and happily accept each others' company. Don't you just love happy endings :).
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert from Knitty.
Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino Colourway #111. This is gorgeous yarn, the colours are just beautiful. It's pretty reasonably priced for hand-painted too. This lot came from Yarnbow. It was 6 skeins if I remember correctly.
Needles: 5mm Addi Circulars.
Modifications: Given I ran out of yarn towards the end last time I did one less set of increase rows. This didn't really affect the size once it was blocked though. It's actually bigger in dimensions now than the pattern version.
The trouble all started with blocking. I am still confused about whether or not to block a clap (i'd really like to know what other people think). I didn't block the first one, and I love its curly-goodness. But the curling means it can really only be worn as a 'scarf' and without blocking it isn't long enough to sit comfortably like a wrap. But it has such lovely ridges and bumps, which is a (perhaps the) beautiful feature of the pattern. So when this clap curled even more fiercely I considered the block. Then, with the reckless abandon a few beers inspires, one night I just blocked it.
Then I regretted it. Blocking it changed those lovely little ridges to flat stripes. I suspect I blocked it a bit too heavily (I didn't think there was such a thing as a 'moderate' or 'light' blocking.) It's merino, so it stretched like the clappers (seems 'clappers' can run and stretch).
But I was rewarded by perseverence. The more I wore it, the more the little ridges came back and it reclaimed its curling shape. But it's a gentle curl now, more like a wave than a Shirley Temple ringlet. And the blocking gives it a really nice size. I can wear it as a wrap, with one end over a shoulder and the other pinned on the opposite shoulder. I can pin the edges at the front and wear it as a 'top'. It can be a scarf, or a stole. Lovely.
We have now made our peace and happily accept each others' company. Don't you just love happy endings :).
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert from Knitty.
Yarn: Artyarns Supermerino Colourway #111. This is gorgeous yarn, the colours are just beautiful. It's pretty reasonably priced for hand-painted too. This lot came from Yarnbow. It was 6 skeins if I remember correctly.
Needles: 5mm Addi Circulars.
Modifications: Given I ran out of yarn towards the end last time I did one less set of increase rows. This didn't really affect the size once it was blocked though. It's actually bigger in dimensions now than the pattern version.
17 comments:
I love happy endings! You do look like you've made peace. It's beautiful.
I love it ! I really want one of these and have been planning to make one out of Colinette Skye in an Autumn Leaves colourway for ages. The Christmas knitting is now getting in the way of my own knitting desires but I'd so like to make it this Winter. I was wondering about the blocking thing too, so it's good to read your thoughts on it.
Well that's just a wonderful ending. I feel left out. I want a clap to bond with too, because I think yours is so pretty. Sigh. My life will not be complete until then. Who am I kidding? It'll only be another step towards feeling complete.
Anyway, well done!
I'm so glad you've accepted the Clap. It's too gorgeous!
I'm so glad it turned out well in the end. It really is beautiful. One of these days I'll get around to making one for myself!
Glad it turned out well. It really is very pretty.
It's lovely. There is NOTHING worse than finally breaking down to knit something for yourself and not liking it! I just finished a felted bag that has been stuck in my closet. I'm going to give it a month and then take it back out. I just got so sick of working on it and with it.
Congrats for perservering!
The Clapotis looks gorgeous worn across your shoulders and pinned to the side - I am pleased that you are now friends :-) I would love to make one but I should really stick to the projects I already have on the go. I have to say you are prolific... necklaces... 2x clapotis... what next I wonder...
She's lovely and bright, and I'm glad you two are finally happy together!
oooh! beautiful!
Well done :D it's gorgeous
Very pretty! I bought some yarn this summer that I hope to turn into a Clappy, as well. Probably after the holidays, though. I think it'll take me a while.
PS: Thanks for stopping by my blog. : )
beautiful! and good for you for sticking to it - it's easy to just get frustrated with a knit item and put it in a drawer and forget all about it. Good story!
i think you may have inspired me to block mine now...i do like it's curling though, but it would be nice to wear as a wrap. and thanks for showing it worn as a wrap...when i finished mine, i was like, great, now what do i do with it? how do i wear it?! i'm not so bright sometimes.
Lovely story. :) I'm so glad that all your hard work and tipsy blocking paid off. It looks beautiful wrapped around you in the last photo.
Thanks so much for the comment you left me. Your clapotis is so gorgeous, I think those are the prettiest colors I've seen!
Wow! What fantastic pictures! It looks amazing!
For the record I did not block my clap at all. Just personal prefrence tho! :)
I love it!
Beautiful colour, neat little sts and you've blocked it perfectly - just the right amount of curl.
I have yet to 'bond' with mine - maybe next winter. x
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