News Flash

So, I’m sitting here eating Circus Peanuts and reading email, when who should I get a comment from but Lynn Hershberger of ColorJoy (I love her free Florida Footies pattern) saying she’d been looking for the answer to the knitting question of the year: Where in heck did the name Clapotis come from? I went straight to the source (which I should have done to begin with) and asked Kate Gilbert herself who kindly replied within minutes. Now that I know the rest of the story, I sincerely apologize for thinking it was a veneral disease. Here is her reply:

Michelle,
Clapotis is a French word that means little waves or ripples. It's pronounced cla-po-TEE, with the stress on the TEEE. Apparently it also exists in English boating vocabulary for the sound of waves hitting the side of the boat... but that's just what someone told me. Spread the word so people will stop complaining that it sounds like a disease!
Happy knitting,
Kate

I had even looked it up in my French dictionary, (Yes I took French in high school, but what little I remember I can’t write. No, it’s not that bad, I just can’t spell it.) but the exact form of the word wasn’t in there so I was lost. Cla-po-TEE sounds lovely, n’est pas?

And speaking of Cla-op-TEE, (just saying it makes me want to extend my pinkie) I’ve gotten to the fun part- dropping stitches.

Have fun knitting yours, and if you’re not knitting one, have fun saying the name.

Comments

[Sharon]

This doesn't sound like a doubtful knitter to me. Florida Footies, Clapotis....obviously you are a finisher too. :) I saw your footies on Lynn's page, and they look great.

[Martha]

I haven't started a Clapotis yet. I feel like I had better get started before I miss the boat. Thanks for the nice comments you left on my blog. Easter monsters...definitely hipper than Easter bunnies.