Sunday, December 27, 2009

Post Christmas Catch Up

Has it really been nearly two weeks since my last visit? What a terrible month! A nasty cold that led to a sinus infection knocked me out about a week before Christmas and I'm just becoming a human again. Other stresses contributed to the lousy ennui, and for the first time ever, my knitting and spinning mojo took a serious hit.

I am soo glad to see 2009 head out the door. For so many reasons. 2010 is going to see lots of change. For the better. I have a few big blog posts queued up in my head, about Procrastination, Planning, Changes, and the like. Over time they will tumble out and into the Internets.

Christmas was quiet here. We so desperately needed some quiet time; a chance to rest and refuel. I tackled my cold once and for all and PhotoMan got some much needed rest after a grueling six weeks preparing for a show mounted at Kaffe 1668 in Tribeca. If you are in that neighborhood, stop in for a coffee and see the show - two floors of images mostly taken back in the 1980's and 1990's along the West Side Highway.

My big news is a new camera, which I guess I needed worse than I thought. I've just uploaded a bunch of pics to Flickr and am pleased with some of the results. One of the changes I want to bring about is better photography so this camera comes as a blessing. I might find my old photo mojo after all. It was something I did with serious intent about 15 years ago, but it lapsed. I hate to make statements here and then not follow through, so I hesitate in mentioning anything about rekindling long lost interests...so let's see what happens.

Lacy Baktus Modeled2

The one thing I managed to finish was a simple Lacy Baktus using some handspun yarn I'd made up back in the Spring, wasn't it? When I'd finished that yarn I was tremendously proud of it, as it represented a sort of milestone at the time, seeming to be more evenly spun. Truth is, it was pretty inconsistent, but the plying was pretty decent. Fortunately this pattern hides a multitude of sins and omissions.

Baktus Progression

It turned out nicely so I won't go into the gory details on how I still cannot count to eight, thus making this into a mutant mess on my first attempt and having to start over after I reached the 3/4 mark. Or how I carefully weighed the yarn at the outset and carefully weighed it as I knit along, in theory so I could make the 1/2 way point on the project match the 1/2 way point on the project yet I still ended up with almost 20 grams left over. No, I won't delve into that, because it's boring and what's the point?

Lacy Baktus4

At the end of the day, I have a lovely neckwarmer and it's seriously cozy and soft. And now I have the added benefit of leftover yarn for another small project.

Lacy Baktus15

Lacy Baktus13

I think I am going to enjoy this camera very much.

Before I sign off, I want to thank you all, dear readers. I love when you come and visit; I love when you leave comments and words of encouragement. You guys make this journey so much fun!

Here's to a Healthy and Happy New Year for us all!

11 comments:

barefootrooster said...

the photos are gorgeous, and that lacy baktus is making me drool. (i have yet to cast on for mine, and i intend to fix that immediately.) so glad you're feeling better and that the mojo has returned. here's to 2010!

Cookie said...

Love!

Being able to count is over rated. ;^)

xo

Chris said...

That baktus and handspun are so beautiful! I can't count either - especially when I'm sick, like you were. I hope you have a happy and healthy 2010!

Oiyi said...

It is beautiful from start to finish. Happy New Year to you, too! Glad you are feeling better.

LICraftgal said...

Happy New Year to you also!! Love the Batkus, the colors are beautiful. And since when are we supposed to be able to count to knit?? LOL Yep, I know what you mean about the counting.

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Congrats on the new camera!! Loks like it'll be a lot of fun. Also, yours is the first Baktus I've seen that makes me desperately want one:)

Katie M. said...

hooray for the new year and a gorgeous baktus!

t does wool said...

congrats on the new gear...
and the batkus is lovely.
Happy New Year1

mary jane said...

1-2-3-4-5-Happy New Year! I can't count to 8 either!
Beautiful pictures!

Gale Bulkley said...

Love your Baktus. And sorry for your guage issues too...

Mary said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog.

I love your Lacy Baktus! What a gorgeous color. I just finished one and it was the perfect scarf to wear on these cold days.