Thursday, June 03, 2010

Emma Has Arrived!


My daughters have inspired a series of girly sock patterns. This is the most basic, the most classic, of the set. It has a unique construction, with a bit of ribbing hidden under the ruffle to help the sock stay up. This is also a relatively simple knit, being mostly stockinette. If you've only knit one or two pair of socks before, don't fret. You'll manage just fine! Emma is sized for Toddler, Child to Women's Small, and Women's Medium to Large.

Emma is available both on Ravelry for immediate download and on Etsy for an emailed file. Both methods give you a document in PDF format and cost $5.

More socks with a similar construction will emerge over the course of the summer. One other is just about done, but needs a final edit. Of course you've already had a sneak peek, ages ago: Hannah. Hannah is a bit more complex with a provisional cast-on and lacework.

Every time I write a new pattern, I learn something. This time was no different. I learned to get all my pictures taken before I let my model run around in the grass with a pale yellow sock and do this....




"Let" is a nice way of saying that she took off and I got the high-pitched "Nooooooo! Stop! You'll ruin the sock!!!" just right.

I also learned that, yes, Charlie's will get out grass stains. Like a dream! *whew!* In fact, most of the pictures I used with the pattern were taken after this incident.

And just so you don't think I've forgotten my new toy...


Far from perfect, but I'm learning and getting more comfortable with my wheel. More on that as I have more to show for myself. :)

Sunday, May 30, 2010

The Lendrum


My Lendrum arrived on Friday. Isn't he beautiful?  I've taken a couple hours to play with him and I'm still not quite sure what I'm doing, but I do know that I'm having a wonderful time getting to know my new wheel.  Hopefully we have a beautiful future together.  Once I learn how not to abuse him.


Him? I think so.  His personality hasn't emerged yet, but I do think this is a masculine wheel.  Now he just needs a name...


Any thoughts?

Sunday, May 16, 2010

They're Teeny Tiny


I just updated the shop with eight different teeny tiny granny square earrings. These are handmade by yours truly on a 1mm steel crochet hook using sewing thread! Each little square is about the size of a penny.




Then they're blocked and stiffened with starch, though they still retain some flexibility. Once they're dry, I mount them on either sterling silver or 14k gold plate French hook earrings.

Let me know if there's a color I'm missing that you just have to have!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Trouble With Color

I'm not a photographer. But you probably already knew that.

I need to take photos of products in order to sell them online, but truthfully, it's pure blind luck that I'm able to get any photos to turn out the way they're supposed to.

Anyway, my biggest issue is color. This photo was taken yesterday and required absolutely NO editing. It was perfect right off the camera.


This picture was taken with the same camera, on the same day, with the same settings. But the skein isn't really blue. It's turquoise and a purple-ish deep navy blue.



No turquoise to be found. And tweaking in PhotoShop isn't really helping. Though, admittedly, I know less about PhotoShop than I know about photography.

This photo was taken several months ago and shares some of the same colors.



That's the turquoise color the other picture is missing. Though my blue skein is almost entirely that color and it's quite vibrant. And that darker shade? Just about right too. The first yarn just doesn't have any green in it. Grrrrr.....why can I get colors to work some days and not others? Do I need a whole new photo shoot? Can I fix it in PhotoShop? I have no idea. I just know it isn't happening tonight.

Thanks for letting me vent. I do feel better. And if anyone has any advice, links to tutorials, YouTube videos that address this issue, etc. please feel free to speak up.

Oh and that first gold skein? It's available for sale in my shop. You know, if you were coveting....