A Few Words about Seaming

I learned how to seam properly from my grandmother.  She, like myself, is a perfectionist.   I challenge anyone to find her seams in any knitted goodies she makes - really.  You will never find them.  It's like the Where's Waldo of knitting.

She goes to crafts in her retirement community and the women all give her there knitted items to seam.  (chuckle)  These women have been knitting for more years than I am alive and yet, they still can't seam a garment.

Seaming has got to be one of the BEST things that my grandmother has passed down to me.  I can not imagine spending hours and hours meticulously knitting a project just to have it turn out horrible because of seaming.  I know because this has happened to me when I started to knit.  I remember proudly going ot my grandmother to show her what I knit just to have it ripped from my hands because the semaing was, well, tragic!  I have seen it over and over again.  It drives me crazy.

A properly seamed item sets you and your knitted items apart from the "others" that are out there.   Seams are ugly.  I mean we all hate them.  We just need them to go away.  Please, take some time to learn how to seam.  It is well worth the effort.  Your end project will look professional and neat.

There are many ways to seam things.  I use the same method no matter what the pattern calls for (except for stretchy bind off's) and all of my items turn out great! Even, grandma is proud!  So, if you know that you seam better one way and the pattern calls for another way - IGNORE the instructions!  It took me a while to do that, especially in the beginning.

Happy seaming everyone!

How To Make Your Items Pop Using Photoshop

This is a frustrating topic for me but NO MORE.... I was surfing etsy trying to find some good tips on taking pictures of my handmade goodies and I happen across this blog "The Sellers Assisting Sellers Blog"

I have taken photography classes in college and thought that I had a great eye for taking pictures.  I mean, everyone always told me that I did & I believed them.  However, I normally take pictures outside of my flowers (a favorite subject of mine) and the beach.  Lighting was always good and natural.

So, when I started taking still life's of my knitting the light was never right.  Never.  I found this so frustrating.  I read my camera's manual and searched on line for tips on improving my pictures.  I found little that could help me.  I also started to teach myself photoshop.  A program that I found even ore frustrating.  I have no training on it and I find it hard to navigate.  I did figure out a few things and it has helped but yet that elusive perfect still picture(s) eluted me.

I found an online tutorial on making your own light box.  So, I went to the good 'ol Home Depot & AC More for the materials I needed.  Some poster board, lights, daylight bulbs (they are blue) and clear packing tape.  I made the light box.  I was so excited!  Finally, I can take those great pictures that I have been trying to achieve.  I waited until night time and ran upstairs to start.  Big disappointment!  Again this left me frustrated.  I thought what a waste of money and time.

Then, I found the website mentioned above.  I was so excited, again!  I  tried it on a few of the pictures I took using the light box & it worked!  Hallelujah..

So, I figured that I would share this secret that I found with all of you.  It has really helped me a great deal.  It makes the background white and you can adjust the lighting to make your items pop!  I am so glad that I found this blog!  Thank you etsy for posting the link!

Now, i just have to retake all of my pictures and repost.. oh joy!

Conquering Socks..

I have been working hard on my first pair of socks.  I scoured the internet for the perfect pattern and I found it!  Here it is -  

Lifestyle Toe Up Socks - No Swatch Needed by Charisa Martin.  

I love this pattern for a few reasons:

1) no swatching, Yes, that's right no swatching

2) It teaches you the technique rather than just a pattern

3) You can use this technique to make any pair of socks with any type of yarn.

So, I started these a few days ago and after frogging back 3 times I finally figured out how many sts I need make a sock that fits me.   You see my problem with socks was not the turning of the heel (A part I actually find easy) but getting my size right. I tried a few patterns casting on the amount of sts stated in the pattern for my size and gauge but every time  they turned out HUGE.  I mean HUGE.  I was so frustrated.  However, I was determined.   So, I kept plugging along and poof - a lovely sock!  YEAH!!!!  I did it! 


BUT......


I have to bind off now  :o


I needed a stretchy bind off.  After all, I didn't want to ruin my perfect sock!  Back to the internet I went and discovered  this bind off method .  Great website with pictures that clearly illustrate this fabulous bind off.  Ta da.. done.


Now the only thing that I have to do it make the other one :)


Back to work I go...