I have finished my Clapo-Ktus and I have to tell you I am thrilled. Want to take a peek with me?
Clapo-Ktus is an amazing shawl by Loredana Gianterri. It involves voluntarily dropping stitches to make the intended design. There is something so entertaining about intentionally dropping a stitch, and watching it unravel all the way to the beginning of the row. There are so many times in knitting that you unintentionally drop a stitch, and that can make you crazy, so this is really fun.
.
This shawl is knit side to side, from one point of the shawl to the other. And what is unique with this design is you weigh your yarn in the beginning of the project, keep weighing until you are just under half the original weight, and then start decreasing. So really you can do this with just about any amount of yarn, the less the yardage, the smaller the shawl/scarf, the more yardage the wider and bigger the shawl/scarf.
I used Blue Heron Yarns, Soft Twist Rayon in the color Kelp. I think I used about 480 yards for this project, on size 6 needles. I have had this yarn for years and years. I absolutely love the colors, subtle purples, greens and browns. I once started a lace shawl with this yarn, but quickly decided it was not to be, so it has been waiting for the perfect project for a long time.
I did get confused at the halfway point because I knew the decrease edge was not going to look the same as the increase edge. You see I think it looks great that way because it adds a design element, but I just could not make it that way. I decided to make an edge on my own so it would look similar to the increase edge, which is made of yarn overs and 3 knits or purls depending on the side you are working on. I think it turned out just fine, and because I am a bit whacky about symmetry, both edges look remarkably similar, not perfect but good enough.
This is a gift for my friend Wendy who wined us and dined us,when we went to Kansas City for the weekend a few weeks ago. She was the perfect hostess. I have to say I am sad to see it go, Caroline the dress form was feeling very stylish with it wrapped around her. So you can imagine what I am doing for my next project, yup, another Clapo-Ktus, for another friend.
That puts me at 10,980 yards of yarn used this year. Do you think I have a yarn problem? If I do I am not sure I want any help!
34 comments:
Wow Meredith...what a lovely shawl!!!! I know your friend will thrilled beyond words, to have some of your handiwork!!!
I bet you are hating to part with it!!
I missed your previous post somehow. What fun you must have had with those kiddos!
My heart breaks for your loss of your other sister and her family. So heartbreaking!!!
xo Kris
It's beautiful and I know your friend will adore it. Every time she wears it and wraps it around herself, it will be like getting a hug from you.
Oh will the next one be in the same yarn, and color way, too?
Sending hugs and blessings your way sweet friend.
This is such a special present, your friend will adore it!
Looks very complicated.
Helenxx
You do NOT have a yarn problem. LOL
Your shawl is beautiful! Love the lacey look.
That is so pretty Meredith, your friend is going to be so happy with it. You will have to make a third one for yourself! well done on using all that yarn you put some of us stash-busters to shame! :)
Beautiful, beautiful shawl Meredith. Your friend is surely blessed to have it for a gift and I'm sure she'll feel very stylish too, wearing it around KC. Caroline will have to wait for you to complete the next one. Or...you may need to make one all her own. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
You are in good company with your "yarn problem!" We all have it. You're right about the colors in that yarn. They are beautiful and so is the shawl. Your friend will be overjoyed to have it. Such a beautiful gift!
Wow! It's really gorgeous! Great job! :)
What a beautiful job you did of this Meredith - love how you adjusted the edge, it works so well! Your friend will be ecstatic with this gorgeous gift.
This is a shawl that just looks so wearable - I am very tempted by it and it's definitely going on my 'to-do' list! Many thanks dear Meredith!
Joy xo
What a beautiful shawl, it looks all soft and floaty.
I don't knit anymore, but if I did I would love to make your shawl.
Sally :) x
Oh, it's gorgeous! What a beautiful shawl. I am sure it will be much-loved. :)
It's a beautiful shawl, the colourway of the yarn is gorgeous! Now I understand the name, it;s a mix of baktus (the triangle, and the way of knitting it so you can decide how big you're able to make it) and clapotis (the dropping of stitches). Groetjes, Gerda
Another showcase of your many talents Meredith, and such a generous gift. Gorgeous x
The shawl is positively elegant, Meredith! I can imagine your friend treasuring it and feeling wrapped in your hugs each time she wears it. Gerda's comment helped me understand the meaning of the shawl's name... very interesting! I love our little blogging community, and am glad we are finding one another through
cyberspace :) ...even if we all have a yarn problem!
Love with hugs,
Gracie
Meredith! I love it. I have been tempted to make that shawl many times..
That shawl turned out beautiful, even though it's name sounds like a dinosaur. :-) Yep, I think Caroline needs one of her own to wear always! Yarn problem.. who me? Us? Huh? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
It is better to give than receive, but honestly I think I would want to hang on to that shawl, how pretty! That dropped stitch thing, I believe that would freak me out. I realize it is part of what makes the pattern, but a bit scary, no? Your friend will love it :)
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)
Oh Meredith..it is gorgeous! Really, really pretty! You are so talented! It's nice to be back reading your blog, friend!~ hugs, Patti
That IS the perfect project for that yarn - how satisfying when they come together like that! And what a very very beautiful project too. I think you need to make one for yourself (unless you are not a shawl person, which I would totally understand as I am not one myself).
Symmetry is satisfying too - I would probably have done as you did and tried to make the edges match as much as possible. They look great from here!
Woww Meredith, this is amazing beuatiful.....!
How is the weather there ? Here it is very hot, it will be the hottest day ever in Belgium on the august the 2e...39° degrees,I will stay in the house today ...:-)
Love Marjo
Beautiful..lucky friend
Hugs xx
You always amaze me of how much of a talented knitter you are....this is gorgeous! You need to make one for yourself :)
Hugs,♥
LOVE Your CLAP!!! !OMG. You did an amazing job.
I have a yarn problem too ..hee hee I may have to get some of that gorgeous yarn
WOW! Absolutely beautiful! I love the pattern -dropped stitches!? So pretty! I'm loving the colour of the yarn too! I'm sure Wendy will love it!:-)
Fay
I'd love you to come and stay here...if you make your friends shawls as gifts....WOW!! I really like it. It looks so difficult but sounds as if it wasn't too too hard? I think I would have found it incredibly difficult to drop those stitches! I think the edges look good and how inventive you are...realising that the edges could be a problem and coming up with your own solution! It's really lovely Meredith...I don't think that I could part with it even if it was a very good friend...maybe let it out on short-term loan?!! Joan
It's stunning. Not being much of a knitter this dropping on purpose is a new concept...I like it!
I knew it would be great!! Love it. I'm a bit stuck on the symmetry issue, too, Meredith. LOL! Love the way you handled it. Your friend is a very lucky lady; and, that sounds like it goes both ways! blessings ~ tanna
It is so beautiful.
M x
There is no reason not to make a second one. :-)
Wow, I love this too. Something like this would take me forever. Heck, everything takes me forever. I have crochet/knitting ADD. You really have been working those hooks and needles. It's ok, I think we all have a little bit of a yarn problem;)
That is one of the loveliest knit pieces I have ever seen. And the shape if perfect, it's light and airy, what a delight it will be to wear it.
Simply beautiful.
Jen
The only yarn problem that truly exists is to not have any, right?
:)
It's gorgeous, I love the yarn and the pattern. How can you give it away - lucky friend I say!
Oh it looks gorgeous! Your friendis very lucky.
I love intentionally dropping stitches - the best part of these sorts of patterns!
Post a Comment