Posted under socks
I find myself in a state of conflicted emotions. One the one hand I’m in a state of bliss over my new sock project. On the other hand, I’m completely frustrated with my new camera.
What’s wrong with the new camera? Well, it does not like the knitting. It likes everything but the yarn and the knitting, so it’s not a bad camera. But it takes forever to get a decent shot of stitch detail. This is on the macro setting and there isn’t a manual focus.
This is what I get nine times out of ten. Which means I spend the majority of my time searching for that perfect shot. Which means I usually end up thinking the camera wants a hard kiss with the wall. Not good.
That’s just not acceptable. So I’m going to Best Buy tomorrow to find another. I just hope I won’t end up like Goldilocks in my pursuit for a camera that best suits my needs.
Enough of the whining. On to the bliss!
As you can see, I chose the Shibui Pagoda. You know I can’t get enough of the Shibui. I’ll probably have to acquire every single semi-solid they have.
Yeah, you heard me right. It’s my new goal in life. ;-)
Oh, yeah. Feel the love. The Shibui love. Even the name is fun to say.
I’m knitting it up in Lisa’s Sedona pattern, which I’m loving. The lace is so pretty and the little twisted stitches? What fun! Like all patterns that provide such joy to the fingers, these socks seem to be knitting themselves.
I think I’m going to call these Pagoda Lace Twist.
(If only I could get my camera to focus like that all the time! I’d be in gadget heaven.)
Just so you know, I’m not neglecting the gloves. I’m knitting a finger a day and I only have three more fingers to do, plus the two thumbs. Since this will be a long weekend, I’ll most likely be able to finish these off before Tuesday. At least, that’s the plan.
The socks are the carrot on the end of the stick, as I get to work on them once the finger knitting is done for the day. So far, it’s provided me with excellent motivation.
Happy Friday! I hope you all enjoy your weekend, be it long or short. Go Packers! :-)
dee on 18 Jan 2008 at 11:46 am #
Before you change cameras, have you tried pushing the shutter button half-way and letting the camera focus? On my camera you have to do that when the macro is engaged. It takes a second for the camera to refocus and then take the shot.
It’s worth a try before giving the camera the old wall-kiss.
dee on 18 Jan 2008 at 11:47 am #
Socks are very pretty.
Yep — GO PACKERS!
textillian on 18 Jan 2008 at 12:02 pm #
The problem I have with my camera in macro mode is that it is very sensitive to my movement, often telling me that I am not holding it steady enough for it to focus properly. Could that be the issue?
The sock looks great!
Karen B. on 18 Jan 2008 at 12:14 pm #
I just bought a skein of Fiesta Boomerang in the “Sedona” colorway and I’ve been itching to do socks again. Is this a sign?
Anyway, I know what you mean by frustrating gadgets. My camera is supposed to have this image stabilization feature, which is great for my shaky hands. Notice I say “supposed to have.” Good luck with getting a replacement camera.
Ah, Shibui love…
Carrie K on 18 Jan 2008 at 12:37 pm #
When you find the perfect camera let me know. In the meantime I think I’ll try the tips Dee suggested.
Pretty pagoda socks! And one finger at a time….
chris on 18 Jan 2008 at 1:39 pm #
Love the shibui and the socks!
The macro mode - how far away are you when you are shooting? Generally macro would be for things you have very close to the camera. I looked back at your other photo’s and they look crisp and clear - so maybe try to shoot closer, let the camera focus in before you hit the shutter all the way or take it out of macro and zoom in.
Or trade it in for a camera that you feel more comfortable with.
Jeanne on 18 Jan 2008 at 1:47 pm #
My camera does about the same thing. I’ll be interested to find out if you come up with something that works better.
debbie on 18 Jan 2008 at 1:52 pm #
darn! i think i’m going to be getting that pattern especially since i’ve seen the work in progress! hope you find a suitable camera - have a nice loooong weekend!
Roseann on 18 Jan 2008 at 2:23 pm #
At least I had the Shibui part right, Pagoda is so pretty as is the pattern. I like your idea of doing a finger a day, they can be so tedious. Spin-Off (not sure what issue, it has Navaho Indians on the cover, maybe Winter 1995) had an article about casting on for minimal hole issues between the fingers. I always dig it out before I knit gloves. I can’t wait to see them all finished!
Jeanne on 18 Jan 2008 at 3:30 pm #
The shibui is so pretty and great pattern selection. Hope you find a better camera!
Lisa on 18 Jan 2008 at 3:54 pm #
Sorry about your camera, but your socks look great! I’m glad you like the pattern! I can’t wait to see them finished! I’m glad you are using them as a reward hehe. (that must mean they’re a good thing right?) Knit those fingers girl!
loribird on 18 Jan 2008 at 4:33 pm #
I’m sorry to hear about your camera - techno gadgets can be so picky! I’m not sure what your budget is like, but I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7, and it’s fantastic. Most of the photos on my blog are taken with the auto “easy” setting, though I’ve found the “food” setting works really well too :)
Love the sock yarn - no wonder you can’t resist! Thank goodness my LYS doesn’t carry Shibui, I’d be broke for certain.
Knitnana on 18 Jan 2008 at 5:07 pm #
I just tried Dee’s idea with my camera, and it worked! I watched it focus in after I hit the button half-way! It’s a nice shot, too…so maybe try this before you go invest more $$ ???
The last sock photo and the yarn photo are really good ones!
(((Hugs)))
Barb on 18 Jan 2008 at 5:42 pm #
wow all your sock goodies make me want to knit some socks.
becky on 18 Jan 2008 at 7:12 pm #
Lovely sock, and Go Packers! And especially GO CHARGERS!!!
blogless michelle on 18 Jan 2008 at 8:14 pm #
so good to hear you give a “go packers!” glad to have you on the side of the cheeseheads. does this mean that if i bring the cheesehead hat to knitnight you’ll model it? ; )
Agnes on 18 Jan 2008 at 9:11 pm #
Great colour! Love the orange!
fleegle on 18 Jan 2008 at 11:17 pm #
What camera was it? Regardless, the Shibui photos made my mouth water :)
hetty on 19 Jan 2008 at 2:54 am #
I seem to have the same problem with my camera. I find it helps to let it focus for a couple of seconds before I press the shutter completely down. I also have to hold the camera very steady - any movement will make the picture blurry. I had some Japanese students staying with me last summer. They had the most amazing cameras! One of them had a tiny tripod to hold the camera steady while she took closeups. She let me use it and it worked amazingly well! I plan to get myself one of those tripods! Probably cheaper than a new camera!
Oh! BTW, those socks look delicious! I am learning so much about the different yarns that are out there thanks to you!
Robbyn on 19 Jan 2008 at 3:37 am #
Ahh - well, it was the Shibui - even if I guessed the wrong color. It looks marvelous in Lisa’s Sedona pattern - good choice!
Sorry about the camera woes. I think if it were mine, it would have already “kissed” the wall. I have no patience (well, shamefully little) with technology that doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.
I’ll hold a good thought that Best Buy has something more suitable for you!
*karen on 19 Jan 2008 at 4:46 am #
I have a Fujifilm Finepix that I highly recommend. It was on sale at Shirokiya. It takes great pictures, even in low light, it has a “stabilization” button and the macro works great. Plus, it’s cheaper than the “name brand” cameras. I walked into the store set on buying another Sony and the Fuji salesman totally sold me on this camera. I Heart my camera.
Jane on 19 Jan 2008 at 7:09 am #
I think those socks look great in spite of your camera woes and pictures of yarn, any pictures, are GOOD ! I’m not much fo the photography either and my camera is very low tech.
hakucho on 19 Jan 2008 at 11:02 am #
Love your latest socks..very pretty even with all your camera troubles which I hope will be resolved soon :)
Aim on 19 Jan 2008 at 6:53 pm #
Hey Opal. Love the sock in progress. LOL, I also love your hard-kiss-with-the-wall dialogue. Heh. It’s a scream also the dialogue you had with your inner knitter to get you to knit glove-fingers! You crack me up!
Happy knitting through the playoffs!
Aim
Kate on 20 Jan 2008 at 2:53 pm #
With the camera I can’t help you, but those socks look great. Looks like a nice pattern to buy one of these days. Thanks a lot for helping me spend my money, he he.
lobstah on 21 Jan 2008 at 10:47 am #
Ooh, I LOVE that sock pattern–just “hearted” yours in Ravelry!
Once again I root for the Giants and once again they win (though I’m clearly in the minority here as far as football team preferences ;)
Now I don’t know who to cheer for in the Super Bowl. Sounds like you might just not be watching it? LOL.
Asaknitter on 21 Jan 2008 at 5:03 pm #
Sorry to hear your camera is failing you! Beautiful pics of absolutely yarn-licious fibre and great sock - I’ll have to look up that pattern.
tiennie on 21 Jan 2008 at 5:47 pm #
Pretty color to that yarn and sock. I hope the camera thing works out!
nova on 23 Jan 2008 at 4:15 pm #
I am so happy you have not run into pooling issues with the Shibui. And sorry Opal, being a New Englander right now, I have two words for you: go pats!