Saturday, January 2, 2010

Full speed ahead!

I'd just like to get one thing out of the way before we get started...

THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! Can I get an Amen?

Don't get me wrong: I love this time of year, or rather, I love the idea of this time of year. I always get all misty-eyed when I think about the decorating, the baking, the cards, picking out the perfect gifts for my loved-ones. To say nothing about the knitting! But when it comes time to actually do it? Well... it's a lot of work, innit?

The important thing is that it's over for another year, and now I can focus on what's really important: my knitting! And sharing it with you, of course.

So! I got a brand new, for-real, grown-up camera for Christmas this year, a Nikon D3000, and I had fun playing with it taking pictures of my Wips this afternoon. Can I just say what a difference having a proper camera (and good lighting) makes? Bliss!

First up, a pair of Citrus mittens.

I've been meaning to knit myself another pair of mittens for a while now, as my Grove mittens are a bit, well... holey, heh. I'm knitting these with KnitPicks Palette yarn, and I'm really enjoying them. Rather, I'm enjoying them now that I'm past the 17 rows of 1x1 stockinette on the cuff.
Next up is a pair of Conwy socks, from Knitting on the Road, using KnitPicks Stroll.

While these are technically a Wip, I've sort of fallen off the sock wagon over the past month, so I haven't been making much progress on them (isn't that always the case?). Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I'm knitting wee cables every two rows using almost black yarn, sigh. They're a bit tedious, I'll be glad to get these off the needles.

I also needed some comfort knitting (natch'), so I recently cast on for the Cedar Leaf Shawlette (a pattern gifted to me by the lovely Robyn, thanks again girl!) using my leftover Madelinetosh Tosh worsted.

As you can see, I haven't gotten very far on it... yet. And yeah, I know Cedar leaves are traditionally green. Ask me if I care.

I think that's a pretty good start to the year, wouldn't you say? Especially since I've already got a FO on the blocking mats! Here's a sneak peek, can you guess what it is?

Happy Knitting Everyone! And may you all have a Happy, safe, healthy New Year.

9 comments:

Chantal Boucher said...

Tellement d'accord avec toi: les fêtes, que d'anticipation... mais ensuite quelle délivrance qu'elles finissent!
Superbes projets en vue pour 2010! C'est inspirant...

kate-the-enabler said...

I agree too - I looked across at your house today and thought...when did I last speak to you? The holidays are a strange time.
and WOOOOOT on the wips - I didn't realise the citrus mitts were colourwork - they're looking beautiful, and I can't wait to see the blocked item in full....
I looked at your pics, and said to Lemondrop, I said, 'Lemondrop? Tara sure has a lot going on...' and he answered 'no, really, not Tara..' :)
Happy New Year DearKnits - thanks for the blogginess.

Sereknitty said...

Congrats on the new camera! The citrus mitts are over-the-top gorgeous and the Cedar leaf shawlette is going to be a stunner! As to your last question, I'm guessing it's another kind of tree -- Hemlock?

Caroline said...

Congrats on the new cam! I'm still trying to figure out how to use mine!

Loving the mittens!

Montreal Mama said...

A Nikon D3000?! Jealous girl! Oh wow! That's the new D60, right?? I almost got that one, but then when I got the deal I did on my D60, the price was right. ENJOY your camera. I can't wait to see the lovely pictures you are going to take with it.

Love the color choice for your Citrus Mitts. I have some knitpicks palette on it's way to me as my last 2009 purchase, as I'm on a yarn diet in 2010. (Had to get a last few essentials in 2009, right?)

I wonder how much yarn you need for the Cedars Leaf Shawlette? You have enough with your leftovers?? Great stash buster then!

Can't wait to see what you knit in 2010!

Sandra said...

Ha... Nikon - got a D80 ! LOOOOve it.
Even though I had taken courses back in college and university, I took a course at Lozeau to get the most of it. Bought myself lenses as well (1.8)... Hemlock it is !!

Anonymous said...

I think the blocking knitting is the blanket that Jared had done a while back, the oversized doily one. I don't remember the name though...

Sinéad said...

Love those mittens. How do you manage to keep your tension even? My attempts so far have resulted in puckering and I'm afraid I'm going to ruin my yoke sweater. I'm either too tight or too loose. sigh. You given me knitters envy again.
The socks are lovely, they'll be worth it when they're finished.
And the Hemlock? Oh Lord!

Ali P said...

Hemlock!