I am on a kick of fast knits with chunky yarn! Both of these FOs came from a practical need to have more neutral-colored accessories to wear pretty much right now!
Foliage by Emilee Mooney
- Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky in Harvest, about 75g
- US10.5 & US9 Options
- Chunky version
- No mods!
Because I have a bean head, this came out a little large. But I really like the fit anyway. It’s not quite beret-y, but is slightly slouchy. I can wear it without it giving me hat hair. Plus it’s so light and frothy I hardly remember I am wearing it! Also, two thumbs up for Cascade’s entry into the chunky alpaca arena!
Over the weekend I worked up a Clapotis scarf in black baby alpaca. Hmmmm, I see an alpaca trend here. Although I never did meet an alpaca yarn I didn’t like. Haven’t ever met an alpaca.
Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
- Fable Handknit baby alpaca, black, about 160 g (80g double-stranded)
- US11 Options
- Size: 6 inches X 6 feet “relaxed”
- One increase/decrease section, 13 straight sections, set up and finish rows as written.
I originally got this wonderfully soft (even for baby alpaca) yarn from Pureknits with the intention of making some sort of semi-lacy scarf/stole. I tried a couple patterns and really settled for a short while on a Rebecca pattern. But I quickly realized there was little joy in knitting a pattern you really had to pay attention to in black yarn, especially black yarn that ate the light. The only way I could work any sort of charted pattern was with full sunlight right over my shoulder. No way Jose.
As the weather has been especially and persistently chilly for these parts, I found myself frequently wearing a black Columbia fleece materialscarf. It occurred to me that it would be very nice to have a black handknit scarf, to fill the same niche but be a tad fancier.
The first thing to jump in my head was this yarn. And the first pattern that seemed right was Clapotis. A little something going on to keep the FO from looking boring, but easy enough to knit even in the evening in a black light-eating yarn. To make it extra quick, I double stranded. I had originally intended to use all the yarn, by knitting straight sections until I ran out of the first 2 of 4 total skeins and then reversing the process. But as it turns out that would have made this scarf swallow my entire bean head.
Since I have limited daylight picture taking opportunities at home through the week, I revealed my full and utter dorkiness and took pictures in the entry area of my office at the end of the day. Fortunately, most people in my small office of about dozen know I knit and some even think it’s groovy, so I got nary a strange look.
To ease the feelings of dork, I found out today I was again honored to receive a “You Make My Day” award, by Guilty Pleasures Kristie! Thank you again Kristie!!
In my non-knitting life (what??) there’s been some strange occurrences. Some are weather-related. Last week while at the Target around the corner from work, I noticed the snowfall was at a lower elevation in the San Gabriel’s than I have ever seen it, at least in eight winters!
The stuff sticking up in the midground are a lightpost and sign over Interstate 210 in Pasadena. It’s certainly farther away than it looks, but not that far! I saw more of this in the sun over the weekend and it was simply spectacular!
Today there was a brief rainbow visible from our offices:
The final strange thing? As a preface, I rarely get wrong numbers or spam calls on my cell phone. Today I got a call asking for Kathy. I politely said he had a wrong number, it sounded genuine and not like a crank call. He confirmed that the number was indeed mine. The strangeness? My mother’s name was Kathy. Kathleen, actually, but she went by Kathy. What are the chances?
I love that black Clapotis — mine is in a lovely silk/merino blend by Handmaiden, but it’s variegated (blues/mauve) and I often find it too busy to wear — black would go with everythign. I didn’t used to be an Alpaca fan because of the lack of body, but scarves benefit from the drape (not to mention the warmth!).
LOVE the Clapotis!!!!
You are on a hat kick too! And you are one of three people I know who could knit up a clapotis in one weekend. Incredible! Enjoy wearing yours!
Wow! Speedy little you.
I love all your projects – you’re really on a roll. I’m really tempted to try Foliage – I have yet to find a hat I like to wear and that looks good on me!
cute scarf! that just may be the thing I need to conquer clapotis without doing a big one!!
that call is weird. I hate when stuff like that happens – it gives me the willies….
Wow, those were quick projects! I’m currently in a slog a long with my Clapotis, so congrats on finishing it so fast!
(Love Foliage… why haven’t I knitted that yet?)
What? A clapotis in a weekend? Holy smokes! It is beautiful, and I love the idea of doing it in a solid color that goes with everything!
Love your clapotis. I did mine in a natural colored alpaca and it’s now one of my favorite handknits. I’m a little further down the 210 … pomona area… that snow and rain has been remarkable hasn’t it?!
The hat and the Clapotis is awesome! You made the Clapotis over the weekend!!! Wow. Thanks for the pictures of the San Gabriels. I wish I were there, sometimes. I miss the California mountains, especially, the high Sierras. Ahhh. . . .
Good work on the hat – it looks so cute! And I’m impressed with the Clapotis in a weekend! You are on a roll
Love the hat. It looks incredibly soft. The alpaca was a great choice! The clapotis also looks wonderful and will be the perfect “go to” accessory.” I really need to knit something in black too!
Don’t you hate it when people stare at you like you’re crazy when you’re taking photos of inanimate objects? It’s not like you’re asking it to smile! =) Great FOs! All classics, especially Clapotis!
Yey FOs…someday maybe I’ll have some as well…but that requires more knitting
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I know that Target…and those hills were once visible from my parents’ kitchen window (they disappear in the um, mist now…) They are more to the SW than you, and I still remember the winter…I think I was 11 or 12, more than a decade ago, when my father pointed out the snow that seemed far too close…it was a super cold and rainy winter as well.
I love the alpaca-ness of this post
I have been working with it lately too – a hat and a headband – and it truly is an amazing fiber! Very nice knits!
Very nice knits – did you knit that Clapotis in one weekend? Wow. I like the non-knitting stories, too. Weird phone call!!
Nothing wrong with instant gratification knits! I love your foliage, it looks so cozy! Clapotis in a weekend = madness! That’s so impressive! I bet the black will go well with everything too
Nice Clapotis and I really like the chair it’s on, too.
Groovy chapeau and your clapotis is gorgeous. You know, I never think to buy black yarn. And it goes with everything. Thanks for giving me a lightbulb moment. You knit like the wind!
Great projects! I really like the look of your new blog! The Clapotis is beautiful.
great pics !!! you should be here wearing your hat lil sis !!! 0 zero degrees and windy !!! your celtic purse and everything else i’ve been wearing have gotten ohhhhss and ahhhhhssss l and p x0×0
A hat that really doesn’t give “hat hair”? I may have to try that one.
The clapotis is beautiful. When you said you were knitting one in solid black, I decided to cast on for one in a solid color as well. I couldn’t help it.
The hat and scarf are beautiful, and that view is amazing. Here in Florida we don’t get those sights.
Yay, another cute hat! I decided that I’m in need of neutral-colored accessories, as well. I’d also like a hat/scarf set of some kind, I think…at some point!
[...] knit, talk, and pay close attention to all the conversation going on. Since I’d just seen Jillian’s beautiful black Clapotis, I knew I must cast on for a solid color Clapotis and went stash diving. [...]