Monthly Archives for May 2008

Free Socks!

Update: The socks have been claimed by Lora.

I started a new pair of socks for myself Monday afternoon using some Knit Picks Fellici I got via the swap group on Ravelry. The yarn is super soft and knits up nicely, though slightly thinner than I’m used to. It’s thin-ness wasn’t that big of a deal. I cast on a few extra stitches at the beginning of the toe (14 versus 8 per needle) and the pattern I chose was loose enough that no extra stitches were needed elsewhere. Things were going great. I measured the usual 7 1/4″ from the toe before doing the short row heel. Even managed to fill in some of the holes that occur along the heel. No, I didn’t check gauge but, really, I was going to be fine, right?

Then I tried it on. And it’s about an inch too short. So..anyone want a pair of socks? They’re 8 1/2″ in length. I’m on the cuff of the first one so the pair will likely be done within the month. Probably sooner but no promises. They’re made out of a wool and nylon mix and Knit Picks says the yarn is machine washable. If you want them, let me know and I’ll send them your way upon completion. Oh, how to measure your foot, you ask? Stand on a piece of paper and draw around your foot. Measure from your heel to the longest toe. If your foot is just a little bigger than 8.5″, that’s okay. Really, your foot needs to be between 8.25 and 8.75 inches. Mine’s giant – 9.75.”

Here’s a rather fuzzy photo:
Monkey

(If you have differently sized feet, are family or a close friend I could make you a custom pair using this yarn in the Peacock colorway. Or any other colorway of Fellici or Essential for that matter.)

Back to Basics

Whatever you do, don’t go to Wikipedia and type in “photography.” One can get lost for hours in the articles on the history of photography, types of photography, famous photographers, and a million other things without learning anything about how to take a good photo. I already know that digital cameras aren’t as great as black-and-white film in terms of capturing all of the data of an image (Wikipedia told me this is called dynamic range). I’ve see the history of photography exhibit at the Corning Museum of Glass – sponsored by Kodak, of course. For the millionth time, I know the rule of thirds and that unusual angles can result in interesting photos. So why did I go there first? Isn’t that where we’re supposed to go looking for information?

Here’s my problem. There’s too much information available. I have no idea where to start. Most books are either far below my level of understanding (such as the one with a chapter entitled “Getting Photos from Your Camera Onto Your Computer”) or way over my head. I need a middle of the road introduction.

Matt offered advice: take lots of photos. Similar to Natalie Goldberg’s philosophy towards writing. Keep doing it in large amounts and eventually you’ll figure out what works for you. Most of what you create will be crap but that’s acceptable because it’s in the pursuit of something wonderful. You’re practicing for the day when you’ll finally write a great novel or take a wonderful photo.

That’s not to say one shouldn’t know the technical basics. Writers must learn proper grammar and spelling before they can push aside those conventions in their own works. Same with phtography, I need to learn what f-stops, backlighting, and ISO 400 are before I can identify myself as a photographer. I’m not going to stop taking photos, however, while I learn. Small children aren’t kept from writing until they can identify an adverb phrase and correctly use a semicolon – good thing, I’d still not be allowed to write. Instead my practice will continue as I make my way through the millions of books, articles, blog posts, and Wikipedia entries that will make up my curriculum.

One last thing before I go: do you have any recommendations for books or websites I should take a look at? Let me know in comments. I’m going to need a great deal of help.

All the Small Things

Yes, I just quoted Blink 182. Moving on, it’s the last week of class before finals. Having finished my socks – and the pair I’m making for Matt having to be re-done due to sizing issues – I had next to nothing to work on. Sure, I’ve got that scarf for Eileen’s daughter that I haven’t touched since February, a scarf for my aunt that sits unloved in my desk drawer, and two half-done pairs of fingerless mitts. I needed something quick and fun and rather mindless. Enter miniature socks and sock yarn squares. I get to use up sock yarn scraps and, more commonly, sock yarn which I have only one sock’s worth (some funny stories behind that stash).

So far I’ve made three mini socks, all using KPPPM leftover from making my socks. The first was cuff-down using this pattern which didn’t turn out great. Not the pattern’s fault but my lack of cuff-down sock making skills. That sock got tossed in the trash without a moment’s thought. The second sock was toe-up using 8 stitches at the toe and 20 for the sock. The photos below are of that sock. The third sock, well, I used the same stitch pattern as my socks but it didn’t’ turn out great. That’ll become a gift to Jen DJ, at her request. The small socks are fun because they’re quick, easy, yet still socks. Small socks are so much more impressive to people who see me knitting at school than regular socks. It’s not like I use smaller needles – just my trusty size 1s – but they ooh and ahh like crazy. Hey, whatever, I’ll take the compliments.

mini2

mini3

My other tiny project revolves around what will become a very large finished object, should I ever actually finish it. A few months ago I saw this woman’s sock yarn scraps blanket. Decided this would be the perfect use of, well, other sock yarn scraps. I started out with the rest of the KPPPM scraps then moved on to others. I’ve already re-appropriated some of my single skeins of sock yarn for the blanket. Here’s my progress so far.

sock yarn blanket 051508

FO: Sock Success

I had sworn off socks. Really. Swore I’d never, ever try making them again. Gave away the first sock yarn I ever bought along with my size 000 – 1 DPNs. Then I started acquiring sock yarn via the Karma Yarn Swap group on Ravelry. Then purchased a 47″ size 1 needle, just in case. Just before we left for Paris I managed to cast on the toe of a sock successfully (after 5 tries). Sure, this took me forever but evearything takes me forever. I’m now hooked on making socks. I’ve got yarn for a good ten more pairs worth of yarn waiting in the wings.

Sock Success

Stitch Pattern: Twisted Rib from Getting Started Knitting Socks

Sock Method: Used Silver’s Sock Class (Toe-up Sock on Two Circular Needles)

Yarn: Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM)

Colorway: P131

Started: March 26, 2008

Completed: May 9, 2008