Knitting

Up a Notch

Posted on by Dan

It’s a new year, complete with resolutions and renewed resolve for cultivating our creative outlets. And, I’ve taken steps in providing better photos for sharing some of the results. A better camera does not make a better photographer, but it does help in providing more tools and control for capturing images in an interesting way. What’s exciting is that I can dust off the old lenses I had for my first SLR, a Pentax K1000 that I bought 17 years ago. And, I’m happy to report the ol’ lenses work just fine with the new Pentax digital SLR (a brilliant decision on their part). The following photographs were taken with a completely manual 50mm lens. There is something satisfying about meshing old and new technology and coming up with good results.

Kalanchoe

This Kalanchoe, a new year’s gift (thank you!), was just waiting to show off a little.

Quilt - detail

This is one of Virginia’s quilts she made a number of years ago (yes, she does other non-knitting activities).

Sock #32 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, since you are so used to seeing socks on the blog, I didn’t want to disappoint.

Sock #32 (52 Sock Challenge) - detail

Virginia knit these using Trekking XXL (Turtlegirl, you might remember swapping this yarn with her), and modified a cable sock pattern by Nancy Bush.

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The Final Push

Posted on by Dan

It is conceivable that Virginia will eventually slow in her sock-making exercises. She will, at least, be taking a wee break from it once she finishes up one or two more custom orders. This holiday season was no exception with sock orders (as you may have noticed from previous sock-filled posts), as feet, these cold wintery days, are demanding warm, cozy coverings. Here are the latest (and my apologies for the variety of lighting techniques used in the photos — I blame the winter hours, and lack of proper daylight):

Sock #24 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #25 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #26 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #27 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #28 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #29 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #30 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #31 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, since this is likely the last post in 2008, may your new year celebrations be safe, peaceful and full of good cheer.

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Sock Catch-Up

Posted on by Dan

It may seem like I’ve waited a really long time in order to update you on some of Virginia’s sock knitting, especially given the quantity of socks finished, but I assure you not that much time has passed since the last post that contained socks.

The next round off the needles are below:

Sock #19 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #20 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #21 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #22 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #23 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, because I’m a lazy blogger, you will have to guess the yarns used in each of the socks. I will say, though, the teal socks are Nancy Bush’s Denmark pattern using Meilenweit. The rest? Happy guessing… or just have fun looking at the finished product.

Still Behind

Posted on by Dan

I should just stop making promises about updating this blog with much frequency. I have good intentions, I promise, but I am unable to deliver. So, while time between updates increases, so does the backlog of projects to share (which is a good thing, since it means there will usually be something to share with you when I actually get around to updating). And, as usual, it’s Virginia who is providing the scratchcraftiness. If I were to wait for my finished projects before posting, you’d probably be fine with checking back once every 6 months or so.

Latvian Fingerless Mitts

Fingerless Mittens

These are from Véronik Avery’s book Knitting Classic Style. She knit these using Shetland Spindrift yarn.

Fingerless Mittens

More Socks!

Sock #18 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #17 (52 Sock Challenge)

I gave up keeping track of the actual number of socks she has made. I find it a little sad that I’ve become somewhat desensitized to these marvels. Thinking back to when I first started this blog (way back in the days of SPIN | KNIT – all that’s left is this archive…) I would have probably spent two or three posts devoted to a single pair. Now, it seems like I’m throwing whole bunches of them in each post.

I think a balance can be struck somewhere closer to the original aspirations of this blog. A project a post seems out of reach. But, a post with more than three projects seems to be little more than an inventory listing. And, since I’m unable to follow through with my promises, I’ll only reiterate that my intentions are good. Stay posted!

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