Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Clapotis--Fini!

I finished Clapotis, and she is more gorgeous than I could have imagined. The KnitPicks Shimmer I used is unbelievably soft and luxurious. And oh-so-affordable!

I did notice from my last post that no one likes a post without pictures. And, really, I should have known. I'm the same way--if I stumble upon a blog with no photos, I just keep moving.

So, to make up for my lack of pictures last time, I've got lots of them this time. Not to mention a freshly made blog button for those of you who might like to link me.

To the left is Clapotis, glistening in the sun. I think the bright light really brightens the colors. In person, they're more subdued.

But only slightly. This is certainly not a quiet, retiring Clapotis!

Obligatory close-up:

Here she is after her bath, stretched out across my dining room table, which is not big enough to accomodate. So not the best blocking job in the world, but it certainly did help smooth it out and straighten the lines.

And, yes, those are leopard spots on my dining room wall. And, no, I did not put them there.

So....what to knit next? This is really a dilemma for me because I am leaving for vacation July 8th, and I will need something to take along with me. I am still working on Cozy...

...which is a fabulous knit, and I love the soft puffiness of the KnitPicks Andean Silk, but I'm not sure it's quite the right thing to work on at the beach.

There's always the long-neglected Pomatomus. Perfect theme for a beach vacation, too. I feel guily for having abandoned this project, but I got frustrated when I had to rip it out and start over, then I just got sidetracked by other stuff. But it's still hanging around, and a definite contender for vacation knitting.

Or I could just take it nice and easy and make the Jaywalkers I have been wanting to make for myself out of this lovely, lovely Koigu:

I do plan to start these soon since the only thing I have on the needles (besides the dreaded Poms) is Cozy. And, since I have already done two pairs of Jaywalkers, the third should be a snap!

The last two photos don't have anything to do with knitting, but I was so thrilled when I saw the following in our backyard:


We planted four grapevines in our backyard when we moved in four years ago. Three of them, our rambunctious dog Annie ripped out of the ground. This one is the only one to survive the rampage, and I have never seen grapes actually on it. So that's exciting.

And I leave you with the miniature rose my husband has finally managed to coax out of the dirt. He's so proud.

36 comments:

Megan said...

Lovely clapotis. Mine is stuck at repeat #6 of the straight rows. I keep sneaking a row here and there, not making much progress. Hopefully this weekend I'll get it done.

Beth S. said...

That is some of the loveliest Koigu I have ever seen! How can you resist casting on with it right this very instant?... ;-)

And Clapotis: so rich and burnished in the sun... the yarn seems to have been an inspired choice. Lovely job. :-)

Rachel said...

Definately go for the Jaywalkers. It's vacation knitting. If you're not enjoying every minute of it, why do it? I love the Pomatomus pattern, but it does take some getting used to.

Melissa said...

The Clapotis is gorgeous! I need to make one of those!

Jeanne said...

Your Clapotis is just beautiful; I really like the colors. And congrats on the grapes - I know just how you feel - we planted two plants 3 years ago, and this is the first year we've seen any fruit.

aija said...

Beautiful clapotis! Good luck with your pattern choice, its a tough call! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful clapotis! How many skeins did you use of the KP shine? Also, I'm going on a camping vacation starting this weekend and am doing a bunch of felted turtles as wool will not burn well if acidentally knocked into the fire and it will need to be washed to be felted, so the smoke smell can be eliminated. Fiber Space has a great felted fish pattern (would keep your great blue ceramic fish company:)) and since it needs to be felted, the sand can be washed out and the pattern isn't too hard.

arcadianrhythm said...

whoa... yarn envy. Beautiful Koigu, and great work on Clapotis! The colors on that are just awesome. Mine is boring white. :(

Catherine Kerth said...

beautiful clapotis! ummm, koigu!

Sanders said...

Love your clapotis!!! I think on vacation you're required to knit something for yourself. That koigu is calling you.....

Hope to see you before you leave... let's go have a drink after work sometime!

Anonymous said...

Lovely Clapotis! I vote for the Pomatomus sock. You won't be sorry if you pick it back up again. The color you chose is just lovely, too.

brewerburns said...

Lovely Clapotis. I hadn't thought of making it with shimmer. That's a great idea (especially since I can actually afford it....) Is the color Happy Dance? It's fun to work with.

Emma said...

Oops, yeah, I guess I forgot to mention, the color is "Happy Dance". I like to call it "Flamethrower" though!

lobstah said...

The Clapotis is spectacular! I keep hearing positive comments one after the next about Shine...I guess I need to get some (heh).

Tisha said...

I love your Clapotis, the colors are great!

katie said...

Great colors on your clapotis. Very pretty.

kay_okc said...

The claplotis is absolutely gorgeous!! I'm envious...you started long after I did and finished long before I will. lol

Dina said...

Thanks for stopping by!

Your Clapotis is a perfect summer color ... it's a beauty!

Don't give up on Pomatomus ... yes, twisted rib is tedious ... but your colorway is begging for you to finish them.

Also love the Koigu you have planned for your Jaywalkers. I have yet to try Koigu, but will have more problems selecting a colorway!

Sharon said...

Lovely Clapotis!!

I don't feel so bad now about my Pom...(hippo socks) I have had one finished for months and the ribbing started on the 2nd. I am like you, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the pattern it is just that I have too many other things to do :(

Marisol said...

Wow the Clapotis is gorgeous!!!
You just inspired me to keep going on mine. I have 5 more rounds to go before I start decreasing.

Oh and your upcoming sock projects ought to be really nice --the yarns look pretty yummy.

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment:) Have a great vacation.

Maureen said...

Pictures of clapotis are fantastic! One of the pairs of socks I finished this month was jaywalkers and I love the pattern too. Just finished broadripple last night which I hate to say, but I like even more! Have fun on your beach holiday!

Marisol said...

I forgot to ask you how did you block your Clapotis? I have never blocked anything and am a little afraid of the process. In fact I think I may need to go to my mom's house as she has a carpet I have hardwood floors. I have seen people pinning things to their carpet to dry.

Anonymous said...

Yup, the skein directions for the clapotis are great. I have so many turtles to do, among socks promised to friends (WHAT was I thinking?!), so it'll be on hold for a while, but it will be picked up one day. :)

Bridget said...

Clapotis is beautiful! I haven't knit one yet but now I'm really thinking about it! Hope you don't give up on the Pomatomus as the yarn you started them with looks great in the pattern. I really think you can do it!

Joanne M said...

Your clapotis turned out beautifully! Yay! My vote is for vacation knitting with Koigu to make some jaywalkers...

Anonymous said...

Hey :-) just wanted to pop in and say HAPPY JULY to you!!

Your SP8

Emily said...

Ooh, your Clapotis is so lovely! I really must get back to working on mine...Have a great vacation!

Kat said...

I love your clapotis! The colours are great.

I strongly recommend finishing the pomotomus socks. The lacy ribbing pulls in a lot so they are the best fitting socks I have made yet. As a result I adore them (although it is too warm here to run around in wool blend socks!)

starrypurplehaze said...

gorgeous clapotis! i'm jealous!!

B said...

I LOVE your Clapotis!!!! There is hope for me..... I just started the straight rows and feel like I will never finish.... I love the colors you chose!!!!!

Jana said...

Great clapotis! I've been having clapotis envy lately. I made a clapotis already, but I enjoyed making it so much I almost want to make another!

Liz G. said...

Your Clapotis is BEAUTiful!

Tanya said...

I love the Clapotis! I'm also thinking of making the Icarus shawl. But I have this amazing blue and green mohair that I was going to try.. might not be ideal though. Maybe I'll find another purpose for the mohair and make Icarus with the Knit Piks alpalca. I'll watch your progress and see how it works out.

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful vacation!!!


I just wanted to let you know expect a big ol' box after the 15th of Aug!!! I didn't want you to think i forgot about you!!!

xo-your SP8 :-D

Joanna said...

Aaaah. There's your clapotis. Absolute loveliness.

~Kristie said...

Your Clapotis is beautiful!! I think I may have to add some of that KP yarn to my next order.