Once upon a time

I didn't have any blue socks to speak of. But then I made this pair:

And now I've started this pair:

And look what showed up in my mailbox today:

The pair in progress is Duet Sock Yarns Middy in Pebble Cove, and it's making me want to drink lattés all day long. I love how this yarn comes packaged with a big painted hank and small solid one for the heels and toes. I'm also liking how the color's playing out. The lengths of color aren't long enough for a whole stripe around in one shade, and even though I'm pretty sure all the color sections are about the same length, there's no pooling. Whoever paints this yarn is obviously much better at math than I am.

The big hank at the bottom is Dream in Color Smooshy in Caribbean. Yowza. A couple of weeks ago, on the very same day that I won Sasha's bacon candy bar and gorgeous spinning project, I won a gift certificate at Michelle's blog, Textile Junkie. Seriously, I never win anything, and then I won two things in one day. I should have bought a lottery ticket too, but I didn't. (Obviously. I would have told you way before now if I had won the lottery.) Anyway the gift certificate was for The Loopy Ewe, and criminy, what a store! They have loads of sock yarn and lace yarn and beautiful rovings. I had just bought the Duet yarn from them a few weeks before (and, um, a couple of other sock yarns too, because frankly, I felt I needed a sock yarn stash), but I was happy--very happy--to buy another pair's worth of hand-dyed merino yumminess. And now look, I'm going to have three pairs of blue socks. Hmm, I'm going to have to choose another color to start amassing...

Oh, and speaking of color, I'm having a damn hard time getting decent pictures of my new little red sweater. My camera just can't handle the red. Is it the camera or is it me? Is there some special setting I'm supposed to pick for shooting red? I'm afraid I'm kind of a camera dunce, and actual technological explanations go right over my head; I just want an easy secret in plain English. Is that possible? Anyone? Anyone?

P.S. Michelle, you totally rock. That was an amazingly happy little prize. Thank you so, so much!

Comments

[Liane]

I love your socks! They are beautiful. :)

[h.]

My camera has trouble with reds and purples as well. I find I get the truest color by going outside on an overcast day and taking photos without the flash. The light must be without glare. This damp spring has brought lots of these days to us, and I imagine to you in your slightly more Northern location. If you have a cloudy morning, try it then. The idea, I think, is that the clouds are filtering and diffusing the sun, like it would in a photo studio. I will lay a white pillow case on the grass, and use that as my backdrop. Good luck!

[whitney]

Oooh, I love your blue socks!

My camera does poorly with reds, too. When I try to take pictures of my roses, they often come out looking like the craziest neon-magenta instead of their actual rich red. I think h.'s suggestion of going outside on an overcast day is probably a good one...I get the truest pictures of my flowers when it isn't very sunny.

[Natasha]

My first pair of knit socks were from my mil and oh oh oh I LOVE them!! Know my mom is knitting me a pair and I can't wait, they are the best. Enjoy your new blue collection!!!

[Jason]

Ooooh, what pattern are those blue socks?