Monday, July 18, 2005

Clap on!

If you've seen one too many of the ubiquitous Clapotis by now, you can skip this entry. I'm sure I must be the last person in blog-land to cast on for this one.

My problem with getting started was the decision about the yarn to use. I ♥ the Lion and Lamb by Lorna's Laces. But for ages I told myself I didn't need to spend that much on yarn for such a project. So I did nothing! Finally, I gave in to the desire to have this yummy yarn, and (inspired by Amy) ordered it in the Vera colorway. Once I had it in the house--hidden under some other more *normal* yarn for a while--I forced myself to finish some other projects before starting.

Well, with last week being vacation week and all, I decided it was the perfect time to treat myself and get going on this project. Here's a look at the yarn before and after knitting.





So I've made it almost through the increase section...just one more set of 12 rows, then the final six before starting the straight section. Thing is, I'd planned to skip the last set of increase rows, just as a precaution against running out of this pricey yarn. I've noticed a lot of folks coming up just a little short, and I don't intend to purchase a fourth skein.

But...now that I'm ready to move on to the straight rows, the width of the piece is much less than the pattern says it should be. Right now, it's about 15 inches wide, although the pattern specifies 21 inches in width. I feel like I really should knit another section of increase rows, 'cause even then I won't be at the 21 inch width. Not that it *has* to be as the pattern specifies, but I think it would be more interesting if just a little wider.

So, it's decision time. A long, skinny scarf? Or a short, wide one? Those seem to be my options, sans another yarn purchase. I'm not sure yet...but I'm ready to move ahead, so I'll keep the pondering to a minimum.

10 comments:

Kyra said...

I vote for long and skinny. I've seen variations of Clapotis done this way, and they look so cute wrapped around your neck!

Emily said...

In case you intend on blocking it, I found that my width and length increased considerably with a little soak and block. That colorway is gorgeous, BTW!

Anonymous said...

I'm pondering the same dilemma. I've got 3 balls of the Lion's and Lamb and it's got to make it to the end! (G)

I'm going for the look of the around the neck is the most important view. I don't wear shawls so I want it gorgeous around the neck. My wonder is in Section 3, is it a total of 13 rows or 12?

Do you know? I figure that's another place I can save yarn but I want everything to work out as it's supposed to.

Sandy

Vicki said...

That yarn is AMAZING! I don't think I've seen that colorway, wow! I don't know for sure, but you might gain some width when you drop some of the stitches... Besides that, I'd go for long and skinny. I think a scarf/shawl that isn't long enough is the worst. Keep up the good work :)

Amy R Singer said...

oh, you DEFINITELY gain width with every drop. about the width of two stitches, if i had to guess. as soon as you drop one, you'll see how wide the column gets.

Kristin said...

I agree with Amy - it definitely grows wider as you drop the stitches.

HibiscuitsGirl said...

You're not the last person. I fully intend to knit Clapotis, but not for a while! I think long and skinny would be cute.

Megan said...

Oh, it will get a lot wider once you drop the stitches. And wider still once you block it. I only did half the increase repeats, and my clapotis is at least a foot wide. I think a scarf is more wearable than a shawl, anyway. :)

Christine said...

Seems I am a late comer for this project also... thanks for your encouragement.

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh... the Vera colorway is one I've been eyeing, but I couldn't afford L&L for Clapotis, so I used a different yarn. The Vera is just as pretty as I thought it would be.

I'd say go for the wider scarf. In the fingering weight, mine turned out to be about 15" wide, but it is about the same length, and that is plenty long.

The yarn I used had exactly 200 yards per skein, and I did run out (with less than 100 stitches to go), but that's because I was being a perfectionist and cut out a few lengths along the way to get rid of some pooling.

And, I haven't put up my pictures yet, but I figured out a fudge to get me those extra 100 stitches, and no one would ever notice it unless I told them what to look for. If you do just barely run out, it can be fixed without having to rip back all the way into the straight section. I'll be happy to let you know how if you run into trouble (it may end up on my blog before then, anyways).