I am very pleased to announce the completion of a semi-impressive WIP. Yes, I have actually finished something that a. is for someone that weighs over 5 pounds, b. is not a knitted tube and c. wasn't started 8 months ago and therefore only had a little bit to go before it was considered completed. Please don't think that I am recanting my position on the cowl (hell no, I fiercely love that knitted tube), it's just that occasionally it's nice to finish a project that feels like it has some import to it. I know you all know exactly what I'm talking about.
I am calling this the Falling Grape Leaves Shawl, and it might be the first dark purple thing that I have ever owned--for real! I am still not thoroughly convinced about the color, but have just decided to go with it. Last month I wore blue for the first time in about 6 years and I received extremely positive feedback for it from shocked friends and colleagues, so branching out color-wise seems to be a good idea once in a while.
The Specs
Pattern: Falling Leaves Shawl by Katy Wight
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, Velvet Grapes, 2.25 skeins
Needles: Size 9
Dates: March 16-May 20. Can you believe I thought I was going to be finished with this in time for my trip to Montpellier? Puh-leeze..
There is another first to report--my new camera is making its' debut with this post. There was quite a build up to being able to get this camera. My entire repertoire of charming adolescent behaviors were dusted off. These included begging, pleading, pouting, slamming doors, promising the moon, unfortunate petulant remarks, and the hardest of all, patience. But in the end my generous mate came through and gave it to me for our anniversary, which is today. As my mother would say "he's a good lad" and I am a lucky, lucky girl.
I am still learning the ropes and making my way through the manual. Please share any smart tips you might have for using the Canon Digital Rebel xti, and feel free to point me in the direction of more information about photography with this type of camera if you can. So. Excited!
So pretty- and I love the deep wine color, sounds more sophisticated than purple, doesn't it? Purple sounds like a crayola color... but really, that is a loverly finished object! I don't see a lot of worsted weight lacy shawls, this one looks so 'accomplishable'- think I just made up that word, oh well, I didn't finish my college career and am now just a recovering english major, making up words is part of my therapy.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the camera! I love our digital rebel, it takes fabulous pics, so much nicer than my kodak easyshare toy, but that one has video, so it gets carried with me everywhere, you know, just in case my kids do something cute... but when we go somewhere cool, when I know there will we great photo ops, the rebel comes with, fer sure...
Happy knitting-
ali
Your shawl is gorgoeous. I love the colors. Also the photos look lovely with your new camera.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!!! I hope there's many more to come :)
ReplyDeleteYour new shawl is fantastically gorgeous and you should be so proud of yourself for finishing such a lovely garment of "import"!
The pics with your new gifty are amazing and I hope you have tons of fun with your new toy! My hubby has a digital Rebel too and I regularly "appropriate" it and his services for my bloggy photos ;) Enjoy!
knittymuggins
FABULOUS! And that's a wrap - lol:)
ReplyDeleteLove the wrap and I think the color is lovely. Great pics. Enjoy your new camera.
Oooh, what must that be like? Wearing color, I mean. I've been wearing black for 20 years now; I may have forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThat shawl is completley beautiful. The color is not so crazy that you can't wear it.
Congrats on the new camera and Happy Anniversary!
I think the color is just gorgeous--I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are really nice too. Congrats on the new camera.
Happy Anniversary!
I believe in celebration of that beautiful FO you should get some more stash.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, beautiful shawl! I might have to steal your idea and use this pattern for some Sundara I have staring me in the eye. (If you wouldn't mind, of course.)
ReplyDeleteI use the Nikons, so I can't give you explicit instructions on how to change the settings, but I think ditching the flash and putting the camera on aperture priority mode (with the aperture set down as far as your lens will allow) is a really nice setting for general knitting pictures. The camera should automatically set the shutter speed to the highest possible, reducing blur; the low aperture will get you those close-ups with a nice small depth of field, which fiber responds really well to. Also, shoot RAW if your photo processing software can work with it. It's SO much easier to fix things like exposure and color balance if the data hasn't already been compressed.
Enjoy the camera! I know you'll have lots of fun learning what it can do.
Pretty, pretty shawl! I used that pattern for a Christmas gift and really enjoyed it, as it fit my criteria of being:
ReplyDelete1) dead easy
2) but not boring, and
3) still looking really cool
Happy Anniversary! And congratulations on the new camera. I am a woefully pathetic photographer, so I'm no help there.
ReplyDeleteLove the wrap! I did a sweater coat in Velvet Grapes--just yummy. It was my first purple thing, too. I still don't wear blue, though. :)
Happy Anniversary! And the wrap is lovely!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. Happy anniversary, and OMG!! Camera!! Congrats! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful work & the yarn complements it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shawl! And nice work on the husband too ;) Happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI love the shawl. The color is fantastic, and it looks so rich.
Jealous of your persuasive powers with the spouse. I must get to work on that as I'm longing for a "real" camera!!
The Shawl? She is glorious and the color is so rich and sumptuous. Yummmy!
ReplyDeleteAnd your pix are fabulous! Looking forward to more arty endeavors and learnings from your blog. ;-)
Lovely! The colour of the yarn works perfectly with the pattern :)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I love purple. I've been working on a scarf version of Falling Leaves since January and I can't seem to finish it. Maybe I'll knit a few rows of it today...
ReplyDeleteOMG. That is gorgeous! You need more dark purple. (I probably need less.) Have fun with your new camera!
ReplyDeletewell it's just a Happy day all around isn't it? an FO of great 'import', a best-ever gift-giving hubby on your anniversary...
ReplyDeletenow all you need is a great date and some truffles for dessert!
:)
You got the Rebel?! I called it :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I've been dying to get some velvet grapes... Your shawl is very very pretty.
Totally impressive! And you know, even I would wear that colour (actually, if by any chance you don't get totally convinced, I know of perfect adopting shoulders)
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary to a very fine pair ;-)
There's nothing more delicious than a Malabrigo hug. It's gorgeous! And you definitely should go with that colour, it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteThat is gorgeous! I never thought to do a lace wrap in Malabrigo -- I can only imagine how delightfully squishy it is!
ReplyDeleteI am no help whatsoever with the camera; I'm still making do with the digital I've had since, oh, 2003 or so? It has almost none of the bells and whistles I'd like to have, but alas, the most recent camera purchase I made was for my husband for his birthday. (Hmm, now I'm thinking maybe I'll just use his!)
Absolutely gorgeous. That's a wonderful matching of yarn to pattern. I bet it feels so incredible. Happy anniversary, and thank the mate for new camera. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI love the heavier shawl. I'm playing with some lace-weight right now, but may end up doubling it for a heavier look.
Happy Anniversary!!!! The shawl came out so fabulous!!! Mmmmmm, really yummy. :) And it looks like you are already doing a great job with the camera.
ReplyDeleteI love your shawl. Those colors are so darned beautiful! My Luna Moth Shawl still seems tiny even after blocking it.
ReplyDeleteWow - this shawl is breathtaking - I love it, I love the yarn, the deepness - perfection! If you get some ideas about the camera - please pass them on...I got a Canon XT Rebel last year and yowza, so much camera. But I love it.
ReplyDeleteI love the color of the shawl. Actually, I love the whole thing. It just works perfectly.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new camera!
It's gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! Enjoy your new camera!
looooooooove the shawl. it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteas for the camera: we just got a Canon Rebel a few months ago and I'm still trying to figure it out, but for the most part I'm pretty happy with it! i'll let you know if I figure out anything good!
The shawl is lovely. I especially like the colour!
ReplyDeleteI just picked up my very own Canon Digital Rebel XTi, so welcome to the club! I am still sort of shocked at how great my photos are turning out just by ditching my old Olympus and getting a new camera.
What a beautiful shawl! I've never seen that pattern done in worsted before. It works perfectly. I may emulate you -
ReplyDeleteso gorgeous and i LOVE the color!! :-) Great photos too!! Defintiely subscribe to Photojojo (an email newsletter)... gives great Photo tips!
ReplyDeleteSo here's the thing, if you decide that color is too much for you I know where you can send it. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteAlso, very, very jealous in a truly adolescent way, of your new camera. I am saving, saving, saving to buy a good camera of my own. Soon I hope.
Happy Anniversary!
Your shawl is gorgeous and I love the color. Happy Anniversary and I am so glad to hear that the adolescent behavior paid off. I have been known to use the same and get excellent results!! Have fun with your new toy!
ReplyDeleteThe shawl is gorgeous - great colorway, beautiful stitch pattern! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThat color is gorgeous! I love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wrap! I think the color is quite pretty.
ReplyDeleteSo I have an XTI too! I love that camera... as far as tips... I've found that a tripod makes all of my pictures so much better. That's pretty standard advice, though.
that shawl is so unbelievably pretty.
ReplyDelete1. congratulations on the new camera.
ReplyDelete2. the shawl is lovely.
3. I have recently begun my own love affair with purple. I have no idea, I just can't seem to stop buying purple yarn, wool, fabric.
Beautiful! LOVE the color!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! Love the colour, love the pattern.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! What a fantastic name for such a gorgeous shawl. :) Your hubby is definitely a keeper. You're gonna be taking some really amazing photos. :)
ReplyDeleteThat turned out beautifully!!! I love the color!
ReplyDeletePretty shawl!
ReplyDeleteI think the shawl looks pretty rad if you ask me. Superbly rad even.
ReplyDeleteAs for the camera, I love my XTi. Its a smidge intimidating at first but keep at it. The little booklets it comes with is helpful for sure. There's also a book out there called the Digital SLR Bible.(and many other digital photog and slr photog books) I have skimmed through some other books, but I hear this ones a good one. Maybe check some books out of the library.
And keep snapping away!
Gorgeous! You are making rethink my abandonment of all my Malabrigo worsted. I don't even fondle it at my LYS anymore. If people loved you in blue, you'll knock their socks off in this grape!
ReplyDeleteThat is just gorgeous and looks so cozy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work - the purples are gorgeous! You should definitely keep stretching your color boundaries : )
ReplyDeleteHappy belated anniversary, and have fun with your new camera!