tangled up

To Block or Not to Block

That is the Question. Don't know why it was a surprise, but blocking Clapotis took all the spring out of her. The scarf looks really nice, but I like the sculptured shape of the unblocked version and think I'll try something different with the next one. Have to do something to get the curl out of the ends; maybe the answer is just to steam the ends and leave the rest as is. These final photos aren't the best I've ever taken, but I'm anxious to head out to ogle yarn.

I was happy with how the Wool in the Woods yarn blocked out. Forgot to mention yesterday that it bled a bit but that the water was clear by about the third rinse. Makes me marvel all the more that none of the Koigu I've used has ever bled at all. The Great Adirondacks Sierra from which I made the Flower Basket Shawl last fall took more than half a dozen rinses and the water still wasn't quite clear.

I've started a second Clapotis, using Sherlock, one of the ArtFibers yarns I bought in San Francisco in December. It's a woven merino/silk combination in a deep aubergine that has brown and black throughout. Don't have anyone in mind for it right now. I started to make it really narrow but found myself increasing more than I originally intended; it seems like it wants to be wide enough to be bunched up...

Starting, Starting, Starting...

This week I must have started four different projects, only to put them aside within the first inch. Looking for a take along project, can't find just the right thing. Sort of a knitting moodiness, I guess. This morning, I think I've found a solution. I blocked Clapotis, which turned out to be more like 12" than the 8" I originally thought (not a problem with the pattern for anyone else who is making it, more a problem with my eyesight), and as I was doing it, I thought, hmm, this would look pretty as a thinner scarf. So tonight, I will dig into my stash (I think I have something in mind) to come up with some yarn and start yet again. Feels a little bit like when I finished my first Charlotte's Web and just had to make another.

I took some photos of the scarf blocking but they're not very interesting so I'll wait until it's dry to post a final photo. I tried to keep it on a diagonal, but can't exactly tell how that will work because I ended up pulling it down over the edges of the bed (I placed it diagonally across the double bed in my guestroom). I may have to invest in an inexpensive runner for scarf blocking.

Weekend knitting goals: work on the Einstein Coat, pick up the remaining yarn I need for it at Yarns International, maybe a quick trip up to Woolwinders and try not to spend too much money....

Clapotis

A little background: I liked Clapotis when it first came out on Knitty but shied away after I took a very quick look at the pattern – it looked like I’d have to refer to the pattern for every row and I just don’t have that kind of patience. I was inspired to give it a try after seeing beautiful versions on so many blogs. And I was so wrong – the pattern is extremely easy to follow and so much fun every time you get to a row where you can drop stitches!!

 I used some Wool in the Woods Twin Twist that I had in my stash from a visit to the Cloverhill Yarn Shop in Baltimore this fall. Didn’t know about Wool in the Woods before that trip, but I’m a convert. It’s a small Pennsylvania company owned and run by two women with amazing color sense who clearly love fiber. They recommend Twin Twist as a sock yarn because it has a bit of nylon in it, I suppose, but it’s more like a DK weight than sock weight. It’s lovely to knit with. I used size 6 needles. The colorway is Majestic Ridge.  Here's a picture of how it looks on the skein:

 I started it sometime in early January as a good take along project, even though at that time my only outing was to the doctor’s office.  Rather than make a wrap, I modified the pattern to a wide scarf width, probably about 8” wide after blocking. I also added a few extra repeats in order to increase the length, not sure where it will end up when it’s blocked, hopefully around 60”.  I put it down to focus on the Einstein Coat but picked it up again for a little variety and finished it in a couple of marathon sessions over the weekend. When it’s blocked, it’s going to be a gift for my friend Marilyn, who gave me a good deal of help and support during my recovery from weight loss surgery,  including rides to said doctor’s visits.

When I took these photos, I noticed the sorta striping pattern for the first t ime.  It never ceases to amaze me the things that the camera picks up that my naked eye doesn't notice (see also the pooling of purple that looks a bit like an ink blot....)

As I mentioned, the drop stitch pattern was really satisfying, so much so that I'll very likely make this again.  Here's a closeup:

Just saw on their blog that Woolwinders has the same love of Wool in the Woods that I do, and this weekend might just have to include a visit to see their spring/summer collection. I’m trying really hard not to buy yarn but instead to work with what I have, but have given myself the loophole that if I buy for a specific project, I can make an exception. Sounds like an exception large enough to drive a truck through, but I’ve been pretty good so far.

 In the meantime, I’ve picked up Sheerly There again and am almost midway through the top front piece. Working with Koigu KPPPM held together with Rowan Kidsilk Haze is heavenly. It’s not a good take along project, though and since the Einstein Coat isn’t either, I need to get something else simple on the needles. Lots of babies have been born in recent months to friends – maybe it’s time for some baby/toddler projects.