The Dawn of the Clapper

Look at those dropped stitches.

For those who saw me shopping at Rhinebeck, you’d have noticed two major shopping directives. One, while I find mohair lovely from afar, I will not wear a mohair garment. There was mohair in just about everything (ask Carolyn)--I know it dyes up beautifully and looks so soft and fuzzy, but experience has shown me that dropping a bundle on mohair or mohair heavy blends means Goodwill will be getting a mohairy donation soon. Two, I’d become driven to distraction by making Clapotis in the latest Knitty. I can’t quite get my tongue around Clapotis so from here forward it will be referred to as the Clapper. I bought two possible Clapper yarns. One is a gorgeous silk/merino handpaint in periwinkle and the other is soft alpaca in musk.

Now, you guessed it, I’ve begun a Clapper in Morehouse Laceweight on size 5 needles. I bought a pretty kit to make a lacy scarf for a friend, and on the plane home I tried out the kit patterns, rejected them all and pulled out the now empty needle from Acid Cardie and started on the Clapper. I love it, I’ll still gift it but MUCH more reluctantly. I think this laceweight version will be more scarfy (read narrower) which is good as I’m replacing a well worn scarf. For those considering the Clapper, do it. It’s a fun pattern because you knit on the diagonal and every so often you get to drop a stitch on purpose! Fun.

On the sweater front, I’m working on #24 Bolero from the latest Rebecca and I’m using the heathery indigo wool instead of the GGH Amelie which would have cost over $90. I couldn’t justify spending that for the yarn so I subbed what I’ve got on hand and just converted the pattern to my gauge and will make the sleeves long instead of 3/4. I like the way it’s turning out, the body piece and one sleeve is done. You also knit pieces to be sewn around the body piece and sleeves. I think it should turn out nicely, kind of like a simple little denim jacket. All systems are go!

Comments

[claudia]

I thought about starting the Clapper, but ended up with Ruffles. Spiral knitting is also fun.

Good for you using up the garage stash!

[Theresa]

I now have "Clap On, Clap Off, the Clapper" going through my head (remember that old "as seen on TV" commercial?).

The meadow looks lovely knitted up -- I got some from MS&W and turned it into a simple garter stitch triangular scarf. Warning--It will grow like crazy when you block it, but it gets very nice and soft. It should make for a very nice lacy breezy Clapotis -er- Clapper.

[carolyn]

i was hoping for a new post.

so will you clapper three times?
or maybe just two?
will you clapper for yourself also?
in the blue?
the purple-y bolero
is perfect for you

i'm rhymin simon and now i'm going to the gym.
where recently i haven't been....

wish me luck!

[Norma]

Ooh, I don't think this is good: I can't stop thinking "Crapper." Sorry. It's your own fault. My brain works that way.

[juno]

I thought I was the only one troubled by the mohairiness of yarn in NY. I like mohair fine, but so many of the most exquisitely dyed and spun yarns were just too brassy - just looking at them made me hot and itchy.

Which vendor provided that periwinkle silk/merino? Gorgeous.

[Rebecca]

Your clapper looks awesome! I've got that one on my future knits list...

On the mohair front, you should check out Rowan Kid Classic - it's mostly lambswool with a little bit of mohair and nylon. It's yummy and soft, not itchy and hot.

[Stephanie]

Ah, the mohair mistake moderated by Morehouse Merino.
I know that one.

[Becky]

As always, you picked a wonderful colorway for your [singing] "Clap on, Clap Off" scarf. Every time I see a lemon, lime, orange or similarly citrus-y yarn I think of ze redhead in la Californie!

P.S. Now I'll have "Clap on, Clap off" running through my head all day.

[Lisa]

Must knit Clapper! I'd been looking for the Lorna's Laces online, but couldn't justify $90 for a scarf. I'd been thinking about trying Morehouse, so thanks for the info. It looks gorgeous!

[alison]

Awesome! That merino laceweight is so wonderful and Clapotis is a perfect pattern for it. Looks great so far.