Not So Fancy Nancy

Well, at least I had knitting time!

Thanks for all the good thoughts and kind comments. Again, please forgive me this time for not answering individually. Still trying to get back on track and can't sit for a long time comfortably.

My procedure went well. They forgot to tell me not to eat, so I got to have it without sedation. FYI - I don't recommend being totally awake on the OR table. It's so reassuring to have the support staff discusses their weekends while you have a drill in your spine and the doctor is correcting their drug dosage math and instrument layout. At least my doc was on topic and I got to see the stuff from my disc which was so thoughtfully described by an onlooker as "ewww, looks like a booger". Not the A-team that morning, but my doctor is very good, so I held that thought. Seem to be recuperating well, but at this point only time will tell.

So, I had the first 72 hours post-op to spend "restfully" and got very good at knitting on my back and side. Bunny sweater is on the edging (no pics today - needs blocking), Klaralund is ready for seaming and Clapotis II is done and already worn.

I love how this turned out! I did choose to block it to make it a little wider and shorter since the yarn tended to pull long. It's incredibly light weight and yet cozy across my shoulders.

The Lavold Silky Wool doesn't have the bounce of the merino, but it's got it's own kind of beautiful drape. The yarn handled well and knitted up quickly and while the stitches are intentionally loose (this yarn calls for US 6 needles) they are reasonably consistent for this type of "natural" yarn and the ladders hold well.

When I feel better I will add a photo wearing it. Will also post final measurements in the Finished gallery soon. I followed the pattern and used 3.25 balls of the on US 7's.

Klaralund is in the final stages. Wow these 28" x 18" sleeves took forever! Actually, as you can see, I did alter the sleeves to add shaping at the wrists. I was terrified I wouldn't have enough yarn (have finished with about 1/2 ball remaining), and also didn't want the sleeves too big on my short body. But, I must admit I still have my fingers crossed as to how this will look on me. Think that's why it's been on my dining table for a day waiting for seaming? This photo is during my wet-block of the sleeves. Couldn't recommend it too highly for this pattern to get the exact measurements before seaming. It's not printed with a schematic, but it's pretty easy to make one. Then you can alter it as I did for your hips and wingspan.

For you experienced knitters this may be obvious, but I want to share my "discovery" -- use a quilter's ruler for blocking. I was using my other favorite find - a freebie paper tape measures from IKEA (I've got one in every knitting bag) - but it got wet and the first inch disintegrated (note to self, paper is water soluble). Grabbed this out of the closet to avoid trudging upstairs to find my sturdier tape measure. Wow! It's perfect for getting two pieces just right and exactly the same. Also helps when tugging the rows straight. Save your Micheal's or JoAnn coupon and get one of these babies!

I soaked the Noro Silk Garden (about which I've complained so much) for several hours in wool wash (the no-rinse kind) and it did loose some of the stray matter and soften nicely. I did a lot of manipulation with the blocking and it seems to have really improved the fabric too.

Here it is ready for seaming. Maybe tonight. That kind of position - sitting and leaning over - isn't very comfortable so I'll do in in stages. For those of you not familiar with the pattern, the sleeves go up and across the bodice and the bind-offs form the neckline. In this photo the back is folded to keep from falling off the table - it's the same as the other side laying flat. It's a cool design. We're supposed to have rain tomorrow so I know I'll kick myself if it's not done - this may be one of my last chances to wear it until next year.

Clapotis II - something a little different

Thanks for all the nice comments on my new look. When I was single I changed boyfriends, jobs and apartments (sometimes all three at once) when I felt I needed something new. Not so practical as a married housewife homeowner! Now knitting projects and my blog get all my pent up shiftiness.  And while I do like purple with all its royal passion, I actually don't have a favorite color. I work up from the photo (that's the scrapbooker in me) and let the colors decide themselves. Also referred to a fantastic book on color called Color Works to kickstart ideas when I was fiddling with this page. I highly recommend it.

Now, speaking of color, I really love the colors of my first Clapotis. I love the bounce of the supermerino. Love it love it love it. Wanted to make another one just like it.

But it just doesn't do to repeat oneself too thoroughly. In fact, I've never repeated a pattern before this, but can now say it has its advantages. Last week I missed having a carry-around pattern. Something I could pick up and put down endlessly as is required in my life. Something to knit in the car. What could be better than as pattern I already know? Certainly goes even faster the second time...

Meet Clapotis II in Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool. In this photo the second ball has just been added, so this is a great yield per ball. May even be able to use just four skeins, but might barely tap into #5. The yarn specs US 6's, but I'm using 7's and not minding the looseness. This is the opposite of the ArtYarns Supermerino:  neutral solid color, slightly rough but with a very soft hand, and much less bounce (though the wool does handle easily). I want a Clapotis for spring and summer that will go over patterned blouses or dresses. And I want it to look really different from the first one. This is working for me. Thanks goes to Michelle for asking me if I think the Lavold would work for this pattern. Decided she deserves a well researched answer.

And I get to groove on my glass markers again. And those birch needles with the neutral wool/silk ... ahhhh. We knitters get little quiet visual orgasms all the time the rest of the world just doesn't understand. Probably a good thing that guy on the subway or the next seat over in the coffeeshop doesn't know huh? OK, just deleted a few sentences taking this analogy further (maybe too far, gentle reader). There's just so much good Freudian material here - let your imagination run with it.

Some markers I like much better than others, but I have fun just reaching in and seeing what comes out of the bag. I don't use the longest ones to try and keep the needles light, but this blown glass is still heavy. Going to make some new ones with crystals soon.

Finally, here's how the dropped rows are shaping up. I like it. It's got lots more rippling going on than I expected considering the drape of the fabric. Will wait until I'm finished to decide whether or not to block. Not going to on the merino and may not on this one. And yes, "clapotis" on this rippled wood is no accident. Hey, I wrote a lot of art history and literature papers - it's deeply ingrained. (Stop her before she puns again!)