See one, do one, teach one

I got an unexpected chance to teach today, which is always fun. I am not a teacher by profession, and I really enjoy teaching people. (I say these things together because I believe they are related.)

Anyway, I went to my favorite LYS, having forgotten that they are closed on Mondays, and encountered two other knitters who had done likewise. We struck up conversation and they both mentioned that they were beginning knitters who were looking for a little help on their current projects. They seemed to have helped each other figure that out, but then they asked me whether I knit continental or American-style (holding the yarn in the left hand or the right, respectively). I replied that since I had learned to crochet before knitting, I had always held the yarn in my left hand. They were fascinated by this, and an impromptu teaching session with one ensued. She was a pretty quick study, and within about 30 minutes, had the basic idea.

I found I really enjoyed this unplanned little lesson. Positive feedback from students helps. I have no plans to attempt to become a knitting guru, but maybe someday I'll get a chance to do more teaching.

Photography for knitters

I recently ran across some posts on ravelry about photographing one's work to best effect. I had been getting decent photographs of my work, but not fabulous ones. The tips that I found most helpful were these:

1. Use natural daylight whenever possible. This means being patient and waiting until a nice sunny day (or lightly cloudly one). When impossible (ie you've got a deadline), use diffuse light by putting parchment paper over lamps, and positioning them around the work to be photographed.

2. Keep the background simple to avoid distracting from your work.

3. Don't use the zoom. Instead, hold the camera as close as possible to the work.

4. Photograph your work in use if possible. If it's a garment, have someone model it.

Using these tips, I took this picture of my most recent finished work, a crocheted shopping bag.

Frogging frustrations and new adventures

I had never before had to frog an entire project. Now, I've done so with two projects. Both because of failure to make a gauge swatch. The pair of lovely cabled socks I had started on wouldn't fit over my heels, so I had to frog them.

Last time I wrote, I swore I wouldn't change my ways and start making gauge swatches because of a single frogged project. Now that it's happened twice in a row, even such a stubborn fool as I can eat my words.

I have started on a new project, and my most ambitious adventure yet. I am writing my own pattern for a sweater, with a cabled celtic cross design. And, in an even bolder move, I have announced my intention to make this sweater for my father, and let him have a say in the yarn.

Taking Dad to the knit shop was fun. He was a little overwhelmed, but I guided him toward appropriate choices, and let him fondle a few skeins. Mostly, he just pointed out the colors he liked, and left the final choice to me.

This is by far the largest yarn purchase I have ever made. I hope it lives up to my expectations, and my father's!