I did it...I re-started Clapotis, and I'm really glad that I did. The overall look is much neater. The stitches that are knit through the back loop are a lot firmer, and the dropped stitches are aren't as wide.
I cast on (again) Saturday morning. So far, I have made it through the first 3 sets of repeats for the Straight Rows. The wrap isn't as wide as the first version, but I'm more concerned about the length.
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high- and/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Hmm, I don't think I am...At lot of the projects that I have made over the last year or so have been with better quality yarns but not uber-expensive. I prefer natural fibers, but I still like to pick blends as well.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin. I do crochet.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I don't have any allergies....that I know of.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I have been knitting on and off since 3rd grade...so a little more than 15 years. I have been knitting daily for the last 2 years.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I keep an Amazon list but hardly ever update it...take a look
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
None really...
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
My BF and I like to joke that my sweet tooth fell out a long time ago. I don't eat too many sweets. I'm usually the one who buys the salty snacks. But, I also enjoy Pocky and caramel corn when I can get it.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
As I mentioned, I crochet...I also like to sew. I used to do a lot of beading, both jewelry-making and weaving. I think I may have ditched my beading loom and bead stash in one of my moves.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
These days mainly indie-rock...Think Dischord, TeenBeat, Thrill Jockey. I've been enjoying stuff like the killers and franz ferdinand. I've also been known to listen to electronic/dance music a la bjork, tricky, massive attack, and portishead. I can play mp3s on my computer and my cd player will read discs recorded with mp3 tracks. I don't have an ipod/mp3 player.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
I tend to wear a lot of black and grey...along with reds and blues. I'm trying to work more color into my wardrobe and have come to like greens lately. I really hate orange and pink!
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I'm in a long-term, committed relationship. I have lived with my BF since spring of '03. (We're going to be celebrating our 6th anniversary in a few weeks, weird.) Right now, there are no pets but we're probably going to get a cat soon.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I still dream of winning the lottery and starting my own business...Of course, I haven't figured out what kind of business I would want to run. I just love the idea of having really flexible work hours.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I really like Rowan's wool-cotton...it's a great multi-season blend. And, Rowan makes some really great colors. I usually don't like bulky yarns. For some reason, I feel really clumsy when I knit with size 9+ needles.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I absolutely cannot stand novelty yarns. I've seen some good looking pieces that use eyelash for a trim, but I'm really turned off by really fuzzy scarves and such.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Lace patterns, definitely! I think I'm going to try making this pattern for the spring.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Hmm...I don't know if I have a favorite item.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Clapotis - Knitty; Peggy - Rowan; just finishing a sweater for my BF.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
There are some really great looking ponchos out there, and there are some real losers. I made one late last summer...I'm hoping that I can wear it again this spring, but I know that fashion is really fickle.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I prefer circs...I find that they are a lot less offensive when knitting on the bus.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
All of the above...I usually use metal/aluminum needles. But, I have a set of Denise needles. And, I find I knit small gauge yarns better with bamboo.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
No, but I want to be...It's on my knit year resolution list!
22. How did you learn to knit?
In 3rd grade, I had to give a presentation demonstrating something to my class. So, I taught myself to knit from a book I borrowed from the school library. At the time, my classmates we highly unimpressed...if they could see me now :P
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Hmm...right now, I think it's a Rowan sweater that I started last winter. I tried to substitute the yarn with Lion Brand's Al*pa*ka. Even though the gauge was right on, the fabric just didn't have much body. I knit the back, sleeves, and started one of the fronts before straying to another project.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I've always been partial to Felix the Cat and The Peanuts. I was never really into cute-sy stuff, but my favorite Sanrio character was Keroppi, the frog.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Chinese New Year...Growing up it always seemed special 'cos none of the other kids celebrated it. Also, there are some really cool traditions and symbolism...oh, and did I mention the awesome food!
26. Is there anything that you collect?
No, I'm not much of a "collector"...I used to grab those free postcards from bars/cafes, but I stopped doing that once I realized how much space they were taking up.
Yup, I'm out of yarn! I got through 4 of the 6 sets of "Decrease Rows" before coming to a screeching holt. So, that means that I was 45 rows away from a complete Clapotis...so close I could taste it.
So, what do I do? I don't want to lay out another $30 to buy more yarn so I can complete this project. But, I still want a Clapotis! I think my best option is going to be re-knitting using a smaller needle. (Is that insane!? Do you think it would work!?) I knit this one on size 7 (4.5mm), so I would hope size 6 (4.0mm) could get the job done.
On the bright side, if I do re-start, this is a quick project. (I started about 2 weeks ago.) The pattern is so simple, but the outcome is beautiful.
I've been working on my Clapotis for a little over a week now. Yesterday, I got to the end of the "Straight Rows." The length is pretty good, and it looks beautiful.
Sometimes, finishing is so boring! I'm slowly seaming my BF's sweater. So far, I have done the shoulder seams...which, as it turns out, are pretty tricky for saddle shoulders. I have also basted the front pieces together before I install a separating zipper. There are still a few weeks before I plan on giving this gift, so no need to worry.
In the meanwhile, I have started my first new project of 2005...Last weekend, I took the time to turn this:
I'm done knitting my BF's sweater...the one that will be part of his Festivus gift. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to share pictures of this project because it's a black sweater. I don't get enough natural light in the apartment to take good pictures of the pieces...it's especially hard to see the ribbing!
So, I'm going to add another resolution to my list for 2005. I'm going to add more color to my knitting and try to stay away from black altogether. Right now, I have a fair amount of non-black yarn for projects already in my stash. And, this resolution is for the entire year, not just the length of the yarn diet.
Last year, I was always so jealous whenever I would read about bloggers getting cool packages from their pals...I just loved the idea of getting to know a fellow knitter, and exchanging neat packages through snail mail. So, once I heard that there was going to be another round, SP4, I just had to sign up.
SP4 is supposed to start February 1st and run through April. Since I might be purchasing yarn for a secret pal, this will be an exception to my yarn diet. I will allow myself to buy yarn only for my secret pal. Or, perhaps, this could be a chance to do some more de-stashing.
In 2004, I finished my first knit along! Yup, I entered my dad's Christmas sweater into the man-along over at knit-o-rama. If you haven't checked out the finished products, you should take a look. There are some great looking men's sweaters!
Since I have already committed myself to a few new years resolutions for "life in general," I thought I would come up with a few that are specific to my knitting life. (Some of these will be on both lists)
I made my last yarn purchase of 2004 last week, and now, I'm on my yarn diet. I knew it wouldn't take long for temptation to strike. I probably should stop looking at my usual online yarn shops, but I'm a glutton for punishment. This morning, I checked out Elann only to see that the have a beautiful alpaca/wool/cashmere blend for $2.75 a skein...This diet is going to take a lot of effort.
Then, I breezed past the website for one of the local DC shops only to find out that they will be openning a second store in February. This one, in Georgetown.
