It was an innocent trip to the LYS - really. Just for needles. But I just loved this color of blue ... and I had been thinking about how Clapotis would look in a tape yarn ... so here I am. No further along on my challenge, but it is a FO that's wearable on vacation, so I say it's just a dark (blue) horse entered late in the race and won. But, what to call it? Is it a cape? A wrap? A poncho? If it only has one point can it be called a poncho? If a tree falls ...
You can click on any of these to open it in a window to try to get a close up of the yarn, but the back seam is a secret. As you can tell by my slightly psycho expression in my over-the-shoulder look, my DH took these photos. You do not want to hear the dialog! Not one photo was focused on the yarn and he didn't capture the back seam or the bottom edge in the back. And a woman would tell you that pose makes your butt stick out wouldn't she? If she was a friend? And not your husband obsessing over the camera dials and buttons? Obviously he does not think like a knitter or a woman! Oh, and if you've read this blog for a while you know I rarely say anything like this, but goodness, my hair is frightening! I really needed a cut two weeks ago only to find my stylist booked up, then on vacation until late this week. Just a few more days. So, a haircut, maybe a little makeup, and (this is truly deeply out of character) a little polish on those toenails and I'm ready for vacation. Btw, I type and say "goodness" for the sake of decorum and my small children, but my internal dialog is a bit spicier and usually strings together choice words from both secular and non-secular sources. Use your imagination. Nothing's nicer than to hear my child, MY child say "Oh my goodness!" just like Mommy. Miracles never cease.
Anyway, I love how the back edge mimics the handkerchief edge of the skirt. This whole outfit is amazingly comfortable to wear. After this pics I ran errands and didn't have to do major readjustments on the Clapotis Cape and could even drive (with seatbelt) with it on. Yes, I left the house with that hair, but we needed pearl onions. Ya gotta support a man making dinner.
The specs:
Berroco Suede, Wrangler 3704, 5 balls. Here's a good Knitter's Review article on it.
US #8 Brittney Straits
Knitty Clapotis - only 10 straight section repeats, but otherwise to pattern. After CO, I sewed the CO edge to the straight edge of the opposite end.
I didn't do a swatch and haven't taken gauge or measurements. I'd highly recommend a blunt tipped needle with this yarn as it's very prone to splitting. It also twists like a ... well, like nothing nice I can type. I really tried to keep the tape flat so the ladders would look nice and that slowed me down - this took at least 20% longer than it should have - that percentage is for you dear Risa ;). There are a few twists in there, but overall I managed. Found the best solution was to hold the yarn without wrapping it around my pinkie (as usual for me) and to rubber band the ball about every two rows and give is a good spin. Everyone I've read says to let the knitting drop and spin, but that gets pretty awkward as the piece grows and my knitting spinning out of control gives me the heebie jeebies. It's pretty satisfying to give the ball one wicked spin that twirls out the problem in seconds.
I know I've been quiet for a while. I was in a deeply nasty mood for most of the last three weeks: hormones, my children out of school and before summer activities kick in (i.e., nothing to do but follow each other around and touch each other, then tell me about it) and my DH very busy. This Clapotis has been the most positive thing to come out of this time. Well, I did go to the gym a few times without blowing out my back, so that's good. And ... drum roll please ... I bought tickets to NYC for Oct 14-17. Guess I'll have another race developing huh? More on that soon.
Clapotis in Suede is lovely and the color is so pretty on you! I can totally relate to the kids fighting (that was what you were referring to right???) mine have been crazy too. Good to hear from you :)
Posted by: michele | July 10, 2005 at 09:26 PM
That is just beautiful. The color looks great on you and I like the idea of a Claponcho.
Very nice.
Posted by: isel | July 11, 2005 at 04:27 AM
That looks so cool! I esp. love the suede in the dropped stitches...
Posted by: Adelle | July 11, 2005 at 05:48 AM
That looks STUNNING on you...the blue is so great with the black, and the whole out fit great with your hair and skin. I love the simple, elegant look.
Posted by: Norma | July 11, 2005 at 06:01 AM
so lovely! looks beautiful on you :) can't wait to make one myself...
Posted by: mcfliege | July 11, 2005 at 07:45 AM
I used the Berroco Suede (in a dark tan color) to make a poncho, and I loved how it turned out. Looks like your Clap Poncho is great too! Don't you love the texture of the yarn?
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | July 11, 2005 at 07:56 AM
looks great! I am drawn to that pattern to. I mean, I've made two and am probably going to make another one this fall :). It's a good one to knit when your stresed, I think. I don't know why, though.
Posted by: Moni | July 11, 2005 at 10:22 AM
What a fantastic idea! The many permutations of the Clapotis never cease to amaze me.
Posted by: Jen M | July 11, 2005 at 12:09 PM
It's gorgeous; great job! I'm looking forward to seeing the back seaming. I like the suble variegation in the yarn too.
Posted by: Jess | July 11, 2005 at 02:30 PM
That is my favorite Clapotis yet! Maybe it's the color..... Really, it looks great on you. And the yarn twists like.....goodness :).
Posted by: Teresa C | July 11, 2005 at 02:43 PM
Pretty knitting, I think I may just be the only person who hasn't knitted a Clapotis.
Posted by: Alexa | July 11, 2005 at 03:22 PM
I'm with Teresa C.; that is by far the nicest Clapotis I have seen! Very sophisticated.
Posted by: Rebecca | July 11, 2005 at 05:15 PM
This must be your third Clapotis? I am almost finished wtih my first in Silky Wool and I am already planning the next.
The drape of the tape yarn is wonderful. It looks fantastic on you! Why not call it the Clapotis Wrap? Say it quickly a few times and it sounds like a tap dance. :-)
Posted by: Emma | July 12, 2005 at 02:41 AM
That clapotis is beautiful and looks so very good on you! Silly non-knitting photographer. Thanks so much for the %. You do so know how I love numbers! :) I do appreciate it and with that number know that I'll never attempt said version of the clapotis :) I have to admit that I just went to Webs to get a needle and wasn't able to "leave" without adding some yarn to my cart, also for Clapotis, Artyarns Supermerino (isn't that what you used for your first?) in color 124. Buying new needles is dangerous!
Looking forward to your visit to NY and my yarn cluttered domecile in October.
Posted by: Risa | July 12, 2005 at 09:39 AM
I've seen several poncho patterns that just had the one point like that. I think you're fine to call it a poncho, esp. since it looks way more like a poncho than a cape.
That color is awesome on you too!
Posted by: Elabeth | July 12, 2005 at 03:29 PM
That looks lovely! I was tempted to buy that yarn to knit a sweater, but it was going to cost me over $150! I also decided it would cost me my sanity, trying to keep it flat. ;)
Posted by: Abigail | July 13, 2005 at 06:36 AM
Love the colinette wrap, the colors are very pretty. Also, a smile is the best accessory and you have a lovely smile :)
Posted by: Evangeline | July 14, 2005 at 09:05 AM
LOVE your clapotis. It's beautiful. I have been wondering how this would knit with tape yarn myself. I have a batch of reclaimed black tape yarn that I've been tempted to use for one. THanks for the wonderful notes and photos!
Posted by: the country girl | July 15, 2005 at 04:20 AM
That is beautiful! A great color on you. I'm still scheming on how I can see Stephanie. Seattle is out. I'll be in Portland this weekend...too early! I just found out that she'll be in Calgary (ONLY 5 hours away, even if it IS in another country), on August 9th, only 4 days before my sister-in-law's wedding. That's cutting things a little close, but there might be babysitters in town. Hmmm...
Posted by: Siri | July 18, 2005 at 12:00 AM
I LOVE it!!! Gorgeous! I just bought some Berroco Suede in the blue as well. Am hoping to make the 4 corners shawl from Knitter's mag. But that Clapotis looks so nice in it... oooch I'm torn!
Posted by: margo | July 18, 2005 at 12:53 PM
Hi - Just found your blog recently and thought I'd say hello and let you know I think your claponcho is fabulous! It really looks great on you!
Posted by: Kathy | July 19, 2005 at 09:30 AM
Getting ready to start my 4 corners shawl. Pattern calls for size 10's -- I should probably do it on 8's and add a 7 stitch repeat, but I don't think I'll have enough yarn if I do that -- I only bought 3 balls. Hmm... Do you think using 10's will look bad? It's really mostly holes and ladders. Will ABSOLUTELY take your tips on keeping the yarn from twisting. It does twist like a... bear. :)
Posted by: margo | July 28, 2005 at 04:35 PM