As much as it hurt, I thought it was particularly appropriate to have finished the Snakeskin Clapotis on the very day the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Superbowl. * As you can see, it’s their team colors.
Pattern: Clapotis
Yarn: Zitron Incanto – Color 08
Needles: US8 / 5.0mm
Started: January 13, 2009
Finished: February 1, 2009
Modifications: I knit 11 repeats width wise and 12 repeats lengthwise.
I’m thinking this might be the ugliest thing I’ve ever knit.**
I kinda like the colors, but the way they fall together is just this side of hideous.
I kinda liked the yarn, it’s soft and it drapes well. Only it split like a mofo, which annoyed me to no end. On the whole, I don’t think this yarn is worth the frustration seeing as how spendy it was.
On the bright side, once I was able to get past the splittier-then-hell yarn, I did enjoy the knitting. The Clapotis is always a fun knit. I’ll just be more careful of what yarn I choose for it in the future.
Also, in my defense, the store model was really pretty.
*sigh*
With all this doom and gloom over a failed knit, I started another project that’s imminently appropriate for February.
It’s the ever trendy February Lady Sweater (Ravel it!). I’ll be knitting along with the effervescent Megan S. and I’m using Patons Classic Wool in Navy.
So far, I’m really loving the wool. It’s softer then it looks and it’s incredibly squooshy. Thanks to Kim for turning me on to the good stuff!
Unfortunately, what you see there will soon be frogged. My gauge is wacky and after some counseling from my Wendy, we decided I should go down a size or two if I want the sweater to actually fit me. It shouldn’t be too painful as there’s not much there to rip out.
You can see that most of my time this weekend was spent knitting. I was too sick to spin, but as much as I miss my wheel, I’m definitely getting my knitting mojo in gear! Plus, I’m on my way to better every day. So no worries there!
Thanks to everyone for their get well wishes. They were/are/whatever well appreciated.
Happy Monday, people! I hope you’re all recovering from the weekend well!
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*I was cheering for the other team, the Cardinals. I won’t go into a football diatribe, but I will say it was heartbreaking. *sigh*
**Of course I could be wrong. I don’t see straight when I’m ill. I reserve the right to change my mind. I’m always whiny when I’m sick.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I don’t think it’s ugly.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I just picked up my clapotis after a year of hibernation – what a coincidence! Because I needed a mindless knit. And I use Paton’s CWM all the time on most of my projects. You picked a lovely blue. :-)
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I hope you are feeling better very soon. You could have sold many a Clapotis in Pittsburgh. I thought they almost deserved to lose as they had a nice lead and then lost it. They won the game, but they did not beat the 7 point spread.
I love the look of your new sweater and will be checking out the pattern. Many of my projects are unraveled after a few rounds and here I thought I was the only one. I hope there is some spinning in your near future.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I’m sorry your boys didn’t win, sweetie. Maybe you caused them to lose by working on Steeler colors while they played. ;^)
It could have pooled and been worse. Frankly, if that’s the ugliest thing you’ve ever knit, I think you’re doing well.
Did you wash your swatch for that sweater? Because that yarn grows when wet. I had quite the surprise after knitting my Mr. PinkPants. o.0 You may want to go down more than one or two sizes.
Feel better!
xo
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
come on…the color’s not that bad…you can always overdye. (at least that’s what i tell myself).
very excited to see the feb sweater. would knit it myself but i still can’t bring myself to do a gauge swatch!! i’ll cheer you on from the sidelines, though.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
You mean it’s uglier than the Jayne hat? Wow!
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
That was such a heartbreaking game! I was so hopeful when they scored that last touchdown, but then I saw how much time was left on the clock. I was so hoping the defense could hold, but Big Ben is just too good.
Did you hear that the Cowboys are already favored to win the division next year? Did you also hear that Bob Hayes has at long last been elected to the HOF? I’m in the midst of writing a post about it. I should have it up in a day or two.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Hehehe – effervescent. I like it! It implies that I am fun and nice. That I spew forth happiness and joy to those around me.
Which is, of course, me, on a daily basis. *cough cough*
I’m off to buy some needles! Needles would help sweater knitting!
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I’d be happy to finish my clapotis, but I have to rip it all out. I messed up and can’t figure out why or where. I spun all weekend lol.
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Sorr your team lost – but the clapotis is definitely different!
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Oh yay! Snakeskin…my mom used to have these hideous pants, like argyle patterned and my sis and I called them her “rattlesnake pants.”
I finished Icarus on Saturday. Technically the knitting was finished during BSG, on Friday but the endless cast off took place all damn day on Saturday. I have cancelled my plans to do FLS, mostly because I have a burning desire to knit small things on big needles for awhile, as a means of recovering from how completely Icarus had taken over my life. Washcloths, hats, fingerless mitts…No mo’ big projects for me for awhile!
Happy Imbolc. May inspiration be yours for the coming year.
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Clapotis is always fun knit and you’ll enjoy FLS too.
We are not into American Football at all. Just heard people from around the neighbourhood screaming loudly (this is a very quiet neighbourhood on normal days) from time to time. My husband wondered what happened. Then I realized it was Super Bowl Sunday. :)
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
A very fitting finish for the clapotis!
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I couldn’t watch the last bit of the game, but I knew that there was too much time on the clock for the Cards to hold onto their lead. And the dead silence in the neighborhood let me know we had lost. :(
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I like your clapotis. Maybe when some time has passed you’ll learn to love it more.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I’ve been debating knitting a Clapotis but a bit more scarf sized. I still haven’t made up my mind.
I do think that the stitch marker on the February Lady sweater is cute though.
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I don’t think its ugly at all its very nice I am wanting to make a Clapotis someday
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 am
I don’t think your Clapotis is ugly at all. But then, I love Clapoti, no matter what the yarn. I echo your sentiments about Patons Classic Wool. Love that yarn. Glad you are on the mend.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 am
I like your Clap, and I like those colours. After you’ve let it sit for a bit, I’m hoping you’ll come to like it too.
I only use the PCW for felting. Otherwise, it’s Pill City.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 am
While they are not colors I would ever proabaly wear, I think your snakeskin Clapotis is very striking and certainly unique. From the tale you tell, I don’t think I’d like the yarn much – and as you noted, the annoyance factor is multiplied in direct relation to the expense!
I’ve been using Patons Classic Merino for a couple of years now and am really happy with it. It’s soft, plentiful (nice, sizeable ball), easy to find and reasonably priced. It also takes dye wonderfully well :)
Your “navy” looks a little brighter than I would have expected of a navy – which I don’t usually like. YOur color is rather pretty.
Glad you’re feeling good about your knitting!
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 am
I’ll tell you again, I’m sorry your Cards lost. How funny you chose to work on the Clap during the game…? It’s pretty, but I have to agree with you that the colors are not *MY* colors either.
I must put my Feb Lady Sweater OTN.
So glad you’re rounding the bend and feeling better!
(((hugs)))
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:38 am
Glad you are feeling well enought to knit. I think your Clap is lovely, so there! Go Steelers, you gorgeous group of large-bodied winners!!
Having a wonderful time in a Costa Rica hospital for the next few days–got some systemic infection from all the jaw surgery. Worse, I am running out of sock yarn and there is not a single yarn store in this entire country.
Why does this always happen to me?
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:20 am
I love Patons CWM, such a classic standby!
The clapotis really does look like snakeskin. Eek! : )
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:03 am
Feel better soon!
I don’t think the clapotis is ugly at all! The sweater yarn is a very pretty color. Looking forward to seeing it!
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 am
I’m so glad you’re making the February Lady!! That’s the one I want to do next…and oh wow…that blue will be wonderful! Take care and feel better soon!
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
not ugly – just, ummm….different! can’t wait to see how the february lady sweater turns out – such a sweet looking sweater. take care of yourself!
February 4th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Great color and yarn for the FLS!! I do loves me some Classic Merino…. :)
February 4th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I know what it feels like to complete a knit your just not into! A Feb Lady in Navy Blue is going to look so pretty, and great with a pair of jeans!
February 4th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I like the colors! It looks like one of the kitties that used to live down the street (a real sweetie).
February 4th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I think it’s lovely! Those are fabulous colors.
Bummer about the FLS. I guess that was a swatch and not the bottom ;)
Game? There was a game on?
February 5th, 2009 at 2:09 am
First, I forgive you for reminding me that those are Steelers colors.
Second, it is a still a pretty Clap.
Hope you are feeling better.