You win some, you lose some.
One Skein Photo Challenge: 4/52
It's been a doozy of a week, so today's image for my one skein photo challenge was taken rather hastily and leaves a lot to be desired. C'est la vie.
You win some, you lose some.
You win some, you lose some.
One Skein Photo Challenge: 3/52
How am I already on week three of my one skein photo challenge? Oh well. Moving right along.
If photography consists of light management, I figured it was high time to take a hands-on approach to managing my light. So I did.
Long exposure (8/5 sec), in a dark room, light by a small flashlight. F/5.6; in hindsight, I should have stopped down a bit for more depth of field and a sharper photo. (ISO 400 because my flashlight was starting to die). And I possibly should have used manual focus. And used a sharper lens, but I was feeling lazy. I'm reasonably pleased with the effect regardless.
If photography consists of light management, I figured it was high time to take a hands-on approach to managing my light. So I did.
Long exposure (8/5 sec), in a dark room, light by a small flashlight. F/5.6; in hindsight, I should have stopped down a bit for more depth of field and a sharper photo. (ISO 400 because my flashlight was starting to die). And I possibly should have used manual focus. And used a sharper lens, but I was feeling lazy. I'm reasonably pleased with the effect regardless.
Thoughts on Photography, Knitting, and Life
Some musings based on my recent reading. Nothing particularly profound. Here's a lamb to make them more interesting.
The subject of a photograph isn't the cool thing you're taking a picture of, really, or at least it shouldn't be. The subject of your photograph is the concept, the story, the mood. A good knitting design isn't about yarnover, knit two together, knit five. A good design is about the interplay of lines, the feeling, the story. A good life isn't about doing this, then that, then the other thing. It's about stories, choices, presence. They're all the same if you want to make a masterpiece. But too often, we just make them whatever stares us blankly in the face. And we're not moved by them, and no wonder.
I want to see my subjects more clearly.
A good photograph is as much about exclusion as it is about inclusion--maybe more. If something doesn't add to the story, it shouldn't be there (easier said than done). And knitting design is the same--if it doesn't add to the functionality, or add to the cohesive beauty, it needs to go. And life, life is like that, too, or it ought to be. A life well-lived is as much about what has been excluded as it is about what has been included.
Photography, knitting, life. They all knit together in metaphor and truth.
The subject of a photograph isn't the cool thing you're taking a picture of, really, or at least it shouldn't be. The subject of your photograph is the concept, the story, the mood. A good knitting design isn't about yarnover, knit two together, knit five. A good design is about the interplay of lines, the feeling, the story. A good life isn't about doing this, then that, then the other thing. It's about stories, choices, presence. They're all the same if you want to make a masterpiece. But too often, we just make them whatever stares us blankly in the face. And we're not moved by them, and no wonder.
I want to see my subjects more clearly.
A good photograph is as much about exclusion as it is about inclusion--maybe more. If something doesn't add to the story, it shouldn't be there (easier said than done). And knitting design is the same--if it doesn't add to the functionality, or add to the cohesive beauty, it needs to go. And life, life is like that, too, or it ought to be. A life well-lived is as much about what has been excluded as it is about what has been included.
Photography, knitting, life. They all knit together in metaphor and truth.
One Skein Photo Challenge: 2/52
It's week two of my one skein photo challenge! This week my yarn became air-bound. (No idea what I'm talking about? Check out this post.)
Not impressed with the outcome this time, but it was the best I could get after an exhausting week (I rejected many, many similar shots). I may revisit the concept in the future and see if I can't fix the execution.
Not impressed with the outcome this time, but it was the best I could get after an exhausting week (I rejected many, many similar shots). I may revisit the concept in the future and see if I can't fix the execution.
The Problem With Designing
The problem with knitwear design is this: when you have some designs on the go, but you're planning to submit one to a third party, and you're not sure what you're going to do with the other one (which means it might also go to a third party), you can't say much about them online. And all of my other WIPs are hibernating. How am I supposed to ramble on and on about knitting, complete with pictures, if all of my projects are secret?
Oh, I could take pictures of techniques (like all those swatches I have worked up to do a nice little series)? Or I could do week two of my photo challenge? Have I mentioned that I'm too tired to move, since the toddler has decided lately to wake up niiiiiice and early and burst into our room to say good morning?
So here's a picture of my Christmas tree instead.
What, you didn't think I'd let you see how messy my house was over Christmas (...still is), did you? Plus light painting is just fun.
Week 2/52, and some tutorials, coming soon. Just not today.
Oh, I could take pictures of techniques (like all those swatches I have worked up to do a nice little series)? Or I could do week two of my photo challenge? Have I mentioned that I'm too tired to move, since the toddler has decided lately to wake up niiiiiice and early and burst into our room to say good morning?
So here's a picture of my Christmas tree instead.
What, you didn't think I'd let you see how messy my house was over Christmas (...still is), did you? Plus light painting is just fun.
Week 2/52, and some tutorials, coming soon. Just not today.
One Skein Photo Challenge: 1/52
Welcome to week one of my one skein photo challenge! No idea what I'm talking about? Click here.
Without further ado...
Without further ado...
When Life and Knitting Combine
I've never been an early riser; by nature, I'm a night owl. At my worst, during my first pregnancy, I was routinely sleeping from about 5 or 6 in the morning to mid- or late-afternoon. Lately, though, we've been sleeping with the curtains partly open and the sun has helped me to regulate my schedule to something a little more normal. Sleeping past nine, for me, is sleeping in.
This morning I awoke around my usual time, with my husband and younger son still asleep in the bed beside me (babe steadfastly refuses to sleep anywhere he can't immediately touch another human being). The quiet morning, with the soft light seeping in through the window, was a rare moment of serenity. I had a knitting project on my bedside table for a change; normally I keep them downstairs, but I'd put myself in timeout yesterday and the knitting hadn't made it to where it belonged. I did some reading, first, and said a few prayers, and then I picked up my knitting and simply enjoyed myself. I was knitting without coffee, mind you, so it remains to be seen whether I'll have to rip back, but it was one of those rare moments when knitting and life came together perfectly. I had an excuse to stay and be still--I had to act as a buffer so the baby wouldn't fall out of bed, after all--and I was grateful to embrace it.
There are advantages to being the first riser (even if it means enjoying a whole lot of coffee when you're blogging a few hours later).
In other news, I have a new camera, so bear with me while I learn where all the buttons are. Pictures may be a bit slower to show up, and a bit uglier as I get to know the ins and outs of my new friend.
This morning I awoke around my usual time, with my husband and younger son still asleep in the bed beside me (babe steadfastly refuses to sleep anywhere he can't immediately touch another human being). The quiet morning, with the soft light seeping in through the window, was a rare moment of serenity. I had a knitting project on my bedside table for a change; normally I keep them downstairs, but I'd put myself in timeout yesterday and the knitting hadn't made it to where it belonged. I did some reading, first, and said a few prayers, and then I picked up my knitting and simply enjoyed myself. I was knitting without coffee, mind you, so it remains to be seen whether I'll have to rip back, but it was one of those rare moments when knitting and life came together perfectly. I had an excuse to stay and be still--I had to act as a buffer so the baby wouldn't fall out of bed, after all--and I was grateful to embrace it.
There are advantages to being the first riser (even if it means enjoying a whole lot of coffee when you're blogging a few hours later).
In other news, I have a new camera, so bear with me while I learn where all the buttons are. Pictures may be a bit slower to show up, and a bit uglier as I get to know the ins and outs of my new friend.
 |
| At least I finally got that lens flare I was trying for, albeit through the less-than-stellar optics of our back door. |
What I've Been Reading Lately: December 2017
I love reading. And I love seeing what other people have been reading. So I thought it might be fun to mention some of the books I've been loving on lately (mostly about photography, actually).
Note: I have linked to the books on Amazon.ca for convenience only. These are not affiliate links; I do not make any money from them. I recommend checking around for the best prices, or, even better, supporting your local bookstore or library. The links are just to make it easy to give them a look!
1. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
I'm going to be honest: I thought I understood exposure before I read this book. After all, it's just about your f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO, right? Well, yes. And no. I perhaps should have considered that a book considering only those things would be a very short book indeed. I honestly don't remember much of what I learned from this book because so much of it is a concept book--it's about understanding, not memorising, and once you understand, it feels like you've known it forever. Nonetheless, I anticipate revisiting this book regularly. I highly recommend this book if you want or need to take better photographs.
2. It's What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War by Linsey Addario
A fascinating account of the life of a photojournalist. That's about all I can say about it. An enjoyable, and at times difficult, book to read.
3. Bryan Peterson's Understanding Composition Field Guide: How to See and Photograph Images with Impact by Bryan Peterson
I mean, it teaches you what the title promises. Whether any given person can or will put the knowledge to use is a different question. Unfortunately, Bryan Peterson can't make me into a good photographer. What he can do is provide me with some knowledge that will help me to better myself, if I'm willing to put in the time.
4. Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida
This book has received a lot of attention, and for good reason. The stitches are as beautiful as they are intimidating. Many (but not all) have a very different flavour than those you will find in your standard North American stitch dictionary.
I really need to swatch some of these, because I don't like being intimidated by knitting, and the best way to overcome that intimidation is to tackle it head on.
5. The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs by David duChemin
This one is a bit more expensive (I borrowed it from my local library) but it's worth a read. The nicest thing about this book is that the lessons come with assignments--clearly-explained ways of applying concept to reality. This is a book about composition, certainly, but it also helps the reader to think about thinking--about what's going on in your head when you're taking that picture. What do you want to say with the picture? How do you want to say it? What don't you want to say?
That's what I've been reading. What have you had on the go?
Note: I have linked to the books on Amazon.ca for convenience only. These are not affiliate links; I do not make any money from them. I recommend checking around for the best prices, or, even better, supporting your local bookstore or library. The links are just to make it easy to give them a look!
 |
| Why are there random pictures throughout this post that seemingly do not relate to anything? Because they're the (sometimes failed) result of some assignments from book number 5 on my list. This one shows you why I would really benefit from a graduated neutral density filter if I want to do landscape photography, or even photography where the scenery features prominently. It was taken at about 3:30pm but to expose for the sky--incorrectly, I may add; check out how dark the blue is--the rest of the image ended up in silhouette, making for a kind of confusing mix of light and dark. I was attempting, as another assignment suggested, to capture some lens flare, but I failed miserably at that Also, why it didn't occur to me to lower my ISO (and drop my shutter speed a bit, or better yet to open up my aperture and increase my chance of getting the flare I was seeking) remains a mystery. |
1. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
I'm going to be honest: I thought I understood exposure before I read this book. After all, it's just about your f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO, right? Well, yes. And no. I perhaps should have considered that a book considering only those things would be a very short book indeed. I honestly don't remember much of what I learned from this book because so much of it is a concept book--it's about understanding, not memorising, and once you understand, it feels like you've known it forever. Nonetheless, I anticipate revisiting this book regularly. I highly recommend this book if you want or need to take better photographs.
 |
| Playing with some meandering lines in this one, and I do like the vaguely enchanted forest look. I don't think I got the exposure right in this one, either--further proof that I need to revisit Understanding Exposure! |
2. It's What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War by Linsey Addario
A fascinating account of the life of a photojournalist. That's about all I can say about it. An enjoyable, and at times difficult, book to read.
3. Bryan Peterson's Understanding Composition Field Guide: How to See and Photograph Images with Impact by Bryan Peterson
I mean, it teaches you what the title promises. Whether any given person can or will put the knowledge to use is a different question. Unfortunately, Bryan Peterson can't make me into a good photographer. What he can do is provide me with some knowledge that will help me to better myself, if I'm willing to put in the time.
 |
| I loved the lines here, too, but I don't think I quite got the shot. |
4. Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida
This book has received a lot of attention, and for good reason. The stitches are as beautiful as they are intimidating. Many (but not all) have a very different flavour than those you will find in your standard North American stitch dictionary.
I really need to swatch some of these, because I don't like being intimidated by knitting, and the best way to overcome that intimidation is to tackle it head on.
5. The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs by David duChemin
This one is a bit more expensive (I borrowed it from my local library) but it's worth a read. The nicest thing about this book is that the lessons come with assignments--clearly-explained ways of applying concept to reality. This is a book about composition, certainly, but it also helps the reader to think about thinking--about what's going on in your head when you're taking that picture. What do you want to say with the picture? How do you want to say it? What don't you want to say?
 |
| This is pretty enough, I guess. It follows the rule of thirds. The tree line is reasonably sharp. The horizon is straight. It's asymmetrical. But it lacks any real subject or other such point of interest. And so it remains a pretty picture. |
That's what I've been reading. What have you had on the go?
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! May your stash be abundant and your knitted gifts finished in time!
Peace and blessings to all, today and every day!
Peace and blessings to all, today and every day!
One Skein Photo Challenge: Coming in 2018
Just a heads up--I'll be undertaking a self-devised photo challenge in 2018. The "rules" are simple:
1. Select one skein or ball of yarn
2. Photograph that skein or ball of yarn every week of 2018
3. The yarn must be the star of the photo, but there can be supporting characters
4. The yarn ball may be transformed into other things, such as a hank or a swatch
I will attempt to post my best photo here every week (is that a promise or a warning?).
If you'd like to play along, please do! You don't have to pick a ball of yarn; any single object is fine. Feel free to drop a comment down below stating your intentions, and link to your blog, of course!
Three Ways to Improve Your Knitting--by Knitting
Last time I gave you three ways to improve your knitting without actually knitting, so it only seemed fitting to follow up with three ways to improve your knitting by knitting.
1. Swatch.
Yes, I know, we all hate to swatch. But we also need to get over it. Swatching is a great way to improve your knitting, and it doesn't have to be painful. Try a new stitch pattern, or a new technique. Try out that fancy lace pattern that's in your next cardigan, so when you inevitably mess it up, you're not messing up your entire garment. Swatching is for far more than just determining your gauge (although you should use it for that, too!). It's a low-commitment way to learn a lot. You can try out different needles to see which size produces a fabric you like. You can (and should) wash and block your swatch to see how your eventual project will turn out. You can learn about the yarn--is it bouncy? does it pill if you even look at it? does it have good stitch definition?--and determine its suitability for what you want to knit. I promise, swatching is your friend.
2. Mess up, and fix it.
The day I became a truly confident and adventurous knitter was the day another knitter gently pointed out to me that I had miscrossed a cable many rows down my project. I could have left it, but I knew it would always bother me. But I definitely did not want to rip out hours of work. So I learned, out of necessity, how to unravel and re-knit cables. And I couldn't even do it with a stiff drink in my hand, because I was pregnant! Long story short, I succeeded, and I realised that I didn't need to be afraid of my knitting. I was in charge of it, and it wasn't actually rocket science after all.
So here's another use for swatching: knit something, and make a mistake on purpose (can you spot the intentionally miscrossed cable above?). Then fix that mistake without ripping out the entire thing. Maybe you want to practice dropping all your stitches from your needles, frogging a few rows, and recovering the live stitches. It's always helpful to be able to grab a dropped stitch and carry it back up again, or to change knits to purls and vice versa. If you love lace, you should definitely learn to recognise and fix a missed yarn-over on the next row. And yes, if you love cables, it is invaluable to be able to unravel and re-knit a miscrossed cable. Feeling truly adventurous? Knit a lace pattern, rip out a few rows, and see if you can get your work back on the needles without the help of a lifeline. The more confident you are in your ability to fix errors, the more confident you will be at knitting in general.
3. Change a pattern, or design your own.
The other thing that turned me into a confident knitter was designing my first pattern (see above!). It all came down to math, I realised (okay, math and some basic knitting techniques). I'd always thought that knitting designers were magical, mythical creatures--until I needed a pattern that didn't exist. When you design your own pattern, or modify one that already exists, you begin to truly understand how elements work together (or don't), how to make an item fit just the way you want it to, and how to generally be in charge of your own knitting project. You can knit exactly what you want, and there is great power in that.
What have you done to improve your knitting?
1. Swatch.
Yes, I know, we all hate to swatch. But we also need to get over it. Swatching is a great way to improve your knitting, and it doesn't have to be painful. Try a new stitch pattern, or a new technique. Try out that fancy lace pattern that's in your next cardigan, so when you inevitably mess it up, you're not messing up your entire garment. Swatching is for far more than just determining your gauge (although you should use it for that, too!). It's a low-commitment way to learn a lot. You can try out different needles to see which size produces a fabric you like. You can (and should) wash and block your swatch to see how your eventual project will turn out. You can learn about the yarn--is it bouncy? does it pill if you even look at it? does it have good stitch definition?--and determine its suitability for what you want to knit. I promise, swatching is your friend.
2. Mess up, and fix it.
The day I became a truly confident and adventurous knitter was the day another knitter gently pointed out to me that I had miscrossed a cable many rows down my project. I could have left it, but I knew it would always bother me. But I definitely did not want to rip out hours of work. So I learned, out of necessity, how to unravel and re-knit cables. And I couldn't even do it with a stiff drink in my hand, because I was pregnant! Long story short, I succeeded, and I realised that I didn't need to be afraid of my knitting. I was in charge of it, and it wasn't actually rocket science after all.
So here's another use for swatching: knit something, and make a mistake on purpose (can you spot the intentionally miscrossed cable above?). Then fix that mistake without ripping out the entire thing. Maybe you want to practice dropping all your stitches from your needles, frogging a few rows, and recovering the live stitches. It's always helpful to be able to grab a dropped stitch and carry it back up again, or to change knits to purls and vice versa. If you love lace, you should definitely learn to recognise and fix a missed yarn-over on the next row. And yes, if you love cables, it is invaluable to be able to unravel and re-knit a miscrossed cable. Feeling truly adventurous? Knit a lace pattern, rip out a few rows, and see if you can get your work back on the needles without the help of a lifeline. The more confident you are in your ability to fix errors, the more confident you will be at knitting in general.
3. Change a pattern, or design your own.
The other thing that turned me into a confident knitter was designing my first pattern (see above!). It all came down to math, I realised (okay, math and some basic knitting techniques). I'd always thought that knitting designers were magical, mythical creatures--until I needed a pattern that didn't exist. When you design your own pattern, or modify one that already exists, you begin to truly understand how elements work together (or don't), how to make an item fit just the way you want it to, and how to generally be in charge of your own knitting project. You can knit exactly what you want, and there is great power in that.
What have you done to improve your knitting?
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