Mods: Began with 2 1/2 repeats of the increase section (46 sts). Worked 20 repeats of straight section.

As soon as I started knitting one of these for myself for the 2013 GFKL KAL, I knew it was the perfect thing to knit for my son’s 2nd grade teacher. Jeffrey’s had a rough time of it this year with his daddy being gone for almost the entire school year…a second year in a row. So being his teacher, like being his mom, has required an amazing amount of patience and understanding, and his teacher has shown that. She’s been willing to work with Jeffrey and I and really helped make his various teachers part of a team so we’re all working together towards the same goal. So, in addition to the usual gift, I really wanted to make her something that showed how much I appreciated everything she’s done this year.

Jeffrey’s teacher wears scarves frequently - in fact, she most usually wears one with purple and green in it. And she mentioned once in class that her favorite color is purple. I’d considered knitting her a Clapotis in the same yarn I was using for mine, because it’s absolutely delicious, but I wanted something lighter and cooler, and the colorway I’m using doesn’t really have purple. I really liked the Clapotis I saw knit with the Blue Heron Rayon Metallic, and after a lengthy search I settled on the Kelp colorway. I think it’s gorgeous and hope she likes it too. Jeffrey approves because “it has purple and it’s really sparkly.”

3/23/13 - After a lot of deliberation, I decided to only to 2 1/2 increase sections. I knew I wouldn’t be doing more than 3 1/2 sections, but I was afraid 2 1/2 would be too narrow. However, I think that it’s already a good width, and it’ll get wider when I drop the stitches. I don’t want it too bulky, since his teacher’s scarves are thin and light. Speaking of dropping stitches, I’ve dropped the first one and it is so much more rewarding than with the Wexford. The stitch just goes zoooop! right down, instead of having to drop it one row at a time.

3/24/13 - As of the end of the Fontana race, Denny’s in the hospital, Joey’s got Target eyeing him for a sponsorship opportunity, and I’ve got 7 repeats of the straight section complete. Still loving the pattern, especially now that I don’t need to refer back to the pattern or a row counter. I did have to stop knitting at points towards the end of the race today though, or I’d’ve ended up with the first Kevlar Clapotis.

3/30/13 - No racing this week, so I’ve been knitting along to tennis - the Sony Open. The “good” news is that I’ll be able to watch the men’s final without any stress since Novak Djokovic was knocked out by Tommy Haas….darn it. But it’s been good tennis to watch, and I’m now through 17 repeats of the straight section. Since I did so few of the increase section, I’m going to need to do a lot more before I start decreasing to get the length I want.

6/20/13 - Finished and gifted! I really wish I’d thought to take a picture while it was blocking so I could remember how many repeats I did - it turned out to be the perfect length and width. I actually finished the knitting on 4/2 while on a spring break trip to Portland with the kids, but forgot to update my notes…and didn’t get around to blocking until 2 days before school ended. And as a bonus, I’ve got enough of the yarn left to knit me one…