My New Camera!

Today, Thanksgiving, I am giving thanks for my wonderful family, friends, good health...and my very cool new digital camera!
I had been using my daughter's camera for the shots I've taken for the blog, and then either emailing the pictures to myself or uploading them to a shared folder. My awesome new Nikon Coolpix S7c allows me to wirelessly transfer the pix to my computer or email them to me (or anyone else) from any wireless hotspot. I have not totally mastered all of its many functions, but one that will be great for the blog is the Macro Close-up Mode, which will allow me to get down to the stitch level on my projects.
Here's the first knitting picture I took, of the leg of my Elongated Corded Rib Sock #2:

Pretty neat, right?

I also zoomed in on something I've been obsessing about: on my Pink Suede Jacket, I have completed the full 40-inch bottom piece (it wraps all around the body and you even knit in little i-Cord ties at each end. I picked up the stitches for the top part and then had to increase several stitches across, on a wrong-side row. After doing this using the purl in front then purl in back technique, I noticed (about 6 rows of 172 stitches later) that on the right side row, you could see the horizontal bars where I'd increased. I decided to rip back as I couldn't live with this. I then consulted one of my favorite books, The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques, and chose the "Make One" increase, as it was said to create an invisible increase on both knit and purl sides. It did, and I was much happier with the look of the piece, EXCEPT for one small area where a couple of stitches were somewhat loose--I tried a few repairs and I think it's finally at a point where it won't be noticeable. It is also in the right at the edge where the back and right-front meet, so that will help too.

So...I took one of the Macro-Closeups with the new camera to really see how that mistkae looks. The good news: I don't even think it's perceptible.
What do you think?



At any rate, although I am a perfectionist, I will not rip back again just for this. I'm enjoying this jacket, although the suede really is unforgiving in showing any type of error or unevenness of the knitting.

Time to go back to turkey-basting and hopefully sneak in a little more knitting!

My New Camera!

Today, Thanksgiving, I am giving thanks for my wonderful family, friends, good health...and my very cool new digital camera!
I had been using my daughter's camera for the shots I've taken for the blog, and then either emailing the pictures to myself or uploading them to a shared folder. My awesome new Nikon Coolpix S7c allows me to wirelessly transfer the pix to my computer or email them to me (or anyone else) from any wireless hotspot. I have not totally mastered all of its many functions, but one that will be great for the blog is the Macro Close-up Mode, which will allow me to get down to the stitch level on my projects.
Here's the first knitting picture I took, of the leg of my Elongated Corded Rib Sock #2:

Pretty neat, right?

I also zoomed in on something I've been obsessing about: on my Pink Suede Jacket, I have completed the full 40-inch bottom piece (it wraps all around the body and you even knit in little i-Cord ties at each end. I picked up the stitches for the top part and then had to increase several stitches across, on a wrong-side row. After doing this using the purl in front then purl in back technique, I noticed (about 6 rows of 172 stitches later) that on the right side row, you could see the horizontal bars where I'd increased. I decided to rip back as I couldn't live with this. I then consulted one of my favorite books, The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques, and chose the "Make One" increase, as it was said to create an invisible increase on both knit and purl sides. It did, and I was much happier with the look of the piece, EXCEPT for one small area where a couple of stitches were somewhat loose--I tried a few repairs and I think it's finally at a point where it won't be noticeable. It is also in the right at the edge where the back and right-front meet, so that will help too.

So...I took one of the Macro-Closeups with the new camera to really see how that mistkae looks. The good news: I don't even think it's perceptible.
What do you think?



At any rate, although I am a perfectionist, I will not rip back again just for this. I'm enjoying this jacket, although the suede really is unforgiving in showing any type of error or unevenness of the knitting.

Time to go back to turkey-basting and hopefully sneak in a little more knitting!

One Sock Down

Thanks to four days away from home and all of the associated chores that go with home, I actually finished the first of my Elongated Corded Rib Socks. I had been feeling rather ambivalent about this pattern, and have decided that some of the ribbed sock varieties aren't the most flattering for my calves. But with the beautiful Socks That Rock Peaseblossom yarn, I ended up liking the end result:



Now it's on to Sock #2!

I also got quite a bit done on the 40 inches I have to knit as the horizontal bottom of my Seventies Suede Jacket, out of nice bright hot pink Berocco Suede (the Belle Star Colorway), and I have about 6 inches done on my Red Scarf Project Scarf, and I have knitting group coming up on Friday so that will be another good opportunity to work on one of these projects....OR start one of the projects I got at Stitches. I will try to restrain myself from that so I don't have too many projects going at once.

One Sock Down

Thanks to four days away from home and all of the associated chores that go with home, I actually finished the first of my Elongated Corded Rib Socks. I had been feeling rather ambivalent about this pattern, and have decided that some of the ribbed sock varieties aren't the most flattering for my calves. But with the beautiful Socks That Rock Peaseblossom yarn, I ended up liking the end result:



Now it's on to Sock #2!

I also got quite a bit done on the 40 inches I have to knit as the horizontal bottom of my Seventies Suede Jacket, out of nice bright hot pink Berocco Suede (the Belle Star Colorway), and I have about 6 inches done on my Red Scarf Project Scarf, and I have knitting group coming up on Friday so that will be another good opportunity to work on one of these projects....OR start one of the projects I got at Stitches. I will try to restrain myself from that so I don't have too many projects going at once.

Organizing

I have been busy reading about everyone else's experience at Stitches East. So far, none of my Stitches purchases have been cracked open...

I did complete my three felted bowls from One Skein, which will be holiday gifts (check!)


I am making headway on my Elongated Corded Rib Socks, from Sensational Knitted Socks.


I want to finish them quickly because I'm thrilled to report that my daughter wants knitted socks! I've ordered a special skein of beautiful blue sock yarn from Fearless Fibers and can't wait to receive it and start the socks.

While still making my pink suede jacket, I have also started a scarf for the Red Scarf Project. Since it's not due until January, I can do a little at a time. I am using the Ann Budd pattern from Interweave's Website, and liking it very much so far. The yarn is a beautiful brick red colorway of Araucania Nature Wool, which I happened to score on sale at A.C. Moore.

One or all of these will accompany me on a four-day trip to visit my in-laws this coming weekend, where I hope to have lots of knitting time...

Organizing

I have been busy reading about everyone else's experience at Stitches East. So far, none of my Stitches purchases have been cracked open...

I did complete my three felted bowls from One Skein, which will be holiday gifts (check!)


I am making headway on my Elongated Corded Rib Socks, from Sensational Knitted Socks.


I want to finish them quickly because I'm thrilled to report that my daughter wants knitted socks! I've ordered a special skein of beautiful blue sock yarn from Fearless Fibers and can't wait to receive it and start the socks.

While still making my pink suede jacket, I have also started a scarf for the Red Scarf Project. Since it's not due until January, I can do a little at a time. I am using the Ann Budd pattern from Interweave's Website, and liking it very much so far. The yarn is a beautiful brick red colorway of Araucania Nature Wool, which I happened to score on sale at A.C. Moore.

One or all of these will accompany me on a four-day trip to visit my in-laws this coming weekend, where I hope to have lots of knitting time...

Stitches East!

I spent a lovely day Friday with my sister at Stitches East in Baltimore. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my wallet is thanking me for having a defined time to leave!
I had gone with a list and found everything on my list except for one item: Sock Blockers. I will put them on my "to buy" list and I'm sure one of these days I will find them.
As for what I bought:
--Two Shawl Pins, one a pretty jeweled and wood one from Great Yarns in Everett, WA (which happens to have the most beautiful items at the show every year), and one pretty silver corkscrew design from Brooks Farm Fiber


--Speaking of Brooks Farm, I bought two gorgeous hanks of Duet to make the Clapotis



--The Four Seasons Afghan Pattern and four skeins of Manos to start it off, at Rosie's Yarn Cellar



--A great deal on 10 balls of Noro for $69 to make Knitty's Tilt; I then went online and found two more balls in the same dyelot so I'll have enough for the sweater


--Also at Woolstock, a great sweater/shawl blocking kit, called the Fiber Fantasy Blocker Kit, which will come in handy now that I am busy making shawls.

It was so much fun to spend this day with my sister; she is just getting into knitting, and I was so pleased that she found beautiful yarn from Dancing Leaf Farm to make a cardigan. It turns out Dancing Leaf is close to where my sister lives, so she can even go there to get help if she needs it.

The one thing about getting such a large amount of loot at Stitches is that it does prevent me from patronizing LYS's, but it's just such a fun experience, seeing everyone wearing their gorgeous handknit items and being in such a wonderful community of knitters. Besides, some of the items (like the Brooks Farm yarn) just isn't available in LYS's.

Right now I am in the midst of making three of the Felted Bowls from One Skein. They will be my hand-knit holiday gifts for officemates this year, perhaps filled with some pretty hard candies.

Stitches East!

I spent a lovely day Friday with my sister at Stitches East in Baltimore. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my wallet is thanking me for having a defined time to leave!
I had gone with a list and found everything on my list except for one item: Sock Blockers. I will put them on my "to buy" list and I'm sure one of these days I will find them.
As for what I bought:
--Two Shawl Pins, one a pretty jeweled and wood one from Great Yarns in Everett, WA (which happens to have the most beautiful items at the show every year), and one pretty silver corkscrew design from Brooks Farm Fiber


--Speaking of Brooks Farm, I bought two gorgeous hanks of Duet to make the Clapotis



--The Four Seasons Afghan Pattern and four skeins of Manos to start it off, at Rosie's Yarn Cellar



--A great deal on 10 balls of Noro for $69 to make Knitty's Tilt; I then went online and found two more balls in the same dyelot so I'll have enough for the sweater


--Also at Woolstock, a great sweater/shawl blocking kit, called the Fiber Fantasy Blocker Kit, which will come in handy now that I am busy making shawls.

It was so much fun to spend this day with my sister; she is just getting into knitting, and I was so pleased that she found beautiful yarn from Dancing Leaf Farm to make a cardigan. It turns out Dancing Leaf is close to where my sister lives, so she can even go there to get help if she needs it.

The one thing about getting such a large amount of loot at Stitches is that it does prevent me from patronizing LYS's, but it's just such a fun experience, seeing everyone wearing their gorgeous handknit items and being in such a wonderful community of knitters. Besides, some of the items (like the Brooks Farm yarn) just isn't available in LYS's.

Right now I am in the midst of making three of the Felted Bowls from One Skein. They will be my hand-knit holiday gifts for officemates this year, perhaps filled with some pretty hard candies.