mon Clapotis est finis

its a scarf...
Originally uploaded by Skeintily Clad.

its more of a mini-clap. width of a large scarf, but very long. and very warm!

600 yds of handpainted Bluefaced leicester yarn. 1 week of super easy mindless knitting. I know i'm years behind the pattern trends here, but i will agree with what others have blogged many times before. There is definitely a naughty little thrill in dropping stitches ON PURPOSE and not fixing them. tee hee.

Here i am wearing it in my lab, unblocked. I'm too lazy to block it and i rather like the curling anyway. Hey, i'm giving myself major credit for actually sewing in the ends the same week that i finished it. we've got to cherish our minor victories in life.

Finished: Starsky

Every beginning knitting book i've ever read says that you should NEVER EVER block ribbing. that's just silly. I understand not wanting to lose the elasticity of the ribbing, but obviously the collar of Starsky needed to be blocked. MUCH better.

Not being a fan of belted sweaters, i never planned on making the belt for Starsky. I figured i'd just knit some buttonholes into the collar. Unfortunately, i completely forgot about that plan until i was casting off the #(*&%^ collar! grr. I'm currently wearing it held closed with a safety pin. classy. When i find some buttons that i really like, i plan on knitting some i-cord frog/loops to close it. No rush, since i have no problem wearing sweaters 95% complete. (I wear my Ribby Cardi all the time; still no zipper.)

Summary Specs:
Pattern - Starsky from Knitty.
Yarn - Debbie Bliss Merino Aran. Purchased from the Webs garage sale. 17 balls completely used, no belt.
Started - May 2006
Finished - Jan 2007
Mods - knit plain stockinette back.
Thoughts - Easy pattern to knit, love the finished sweater. I think the whole sweater needs to be washed one more time to soften up the yarn even more. It has gotten softer each time i've worn it.

The sleeves are rather large, but they match the style of the sweater. The pattern claims to be designed with 8" of ease, putting me at the XL size. I love it when designers list the predicted ease in the design. I much prefer it to telling me what size the model is wearing. (how does that help me, if i don't know what her bust size is?!) Ever since the horrid results of my blue/green aran, i'm especially wary of the suggested ease in sweater designs. [that sweater is still in 'time out' on my basement floor. next to the washing machine, because i just can't bring myself to throw it in the hot water to shrink it to a wearable size.] For Starsky, I chose to knit the size L instead and i'm glad i did! Yes, Starsky is designed to be comfy and oversized... but I really don't think the model in the photo is wearing a sweater with 8" of ease, which would be extremely baggy. If nothing else, i've convinced myself that I do not personally like sweaters with more than 5" of ease. I might make another sweater similar to this, but i would use the large body measurements, but make the sleeves in medium.

finished: Turtleneck Shrug

It is finished and worn. Several times, actually. It is a strange, and slightly ridiculous item of clothing. Despite that, i'm immensely pleased with it. It does exactly what you think and expect it will do: keep your arms warm. Its great for the wishy-washy weather that can't decide whether or not its actually winter. People at work gave it a strange look at first glance, but then decided it was cool.

Details
Pattern: Turtleneck Shrug from Scarf Style.
Yarn: my own handspun wool/angora. Roving came from "Spinning-a-Dream" (website down, unfortunately).
Modifications: different gauge, diff needles, diff # of stitches. Also tinked with the shaping of the shoulder because I do not have wispy little upper arms like that cute Interweave Press model!

One arm is softer than the other. Even though the two skeins had the same gauge, one had a much nicer angora halo than the other. I'm sure its noticeable to me only. I don't care anyway. If it were perfect, it would be sold at Wal-Mart. That's my motto. Its a variation on what my quilting friends say: "Only Allah is perfect".

Sabine says that angora yarn makes the BEST pillow!

Starsky is done, but the collar needs to be re-blocked. And i have to figure out whether i'm making the belt or not.

finished: girly baby quilt

its really, truly, completely done! I snapped this picture before putting it in the washer yesterday because i had a nagging fear that it would get ruined. it didn't. Now its washed, signed, and ready to go in the mail. I hope she likes it!