My first blog of the New Year! It took me a number of days into this year to start writing, but not because I haven’t been creating. I received a new camera for Christmas and it took me quite a few days to get used to the new features. The High Dynamic Range shooting feature is fantastic! It takes three photos at different settings and combines it into one photo with near perfect settings. Here is an example taken from the backyard looking toward the Rocky Mountains. It was a spectacular sunset, but my eyes saw purple, pink and orange in the sky and reflective snow in the foreground. Just like this:

I use photography for documentation rather than as an art form, however I will be taking a class at Anderson Ranch this summer, so I hope to get a little more involved with my camera.

I did finish my Lake Placid sweater I showed in progress in December. Yes, I did name the sweater after the movie with the mega-gigantic alligator. The actual name of the pattern is Flet which was designed for the new yarn Woolfolk Far. It’s a chainette type yarn so I was hoping that the pilling would be less, however those little balls are unfortunately showing up everywhere. Despite that issue this is very soft yummy yarn that feels almost like cashmere (its high quality merino) and is a beautiful color. I think the chained rib details add a beautiful touch to fairly simple raglan pullover pattern. If I made this again it would be about 2” longer, and maybe an inch shorter in the sleeves. While I have become better at picking knitting patterns that fit, I think it’s time to start comparing measurements of sweaters I love and altering the new patterns before I knit them.My next knit is a poncho made from a super bulky yarn. I couldn’t resist trying on a very expensive hand knit poncho ($1300!!) in Santa Fe over Thanksgiving. WOW, it was sumptuous! I couldn’t get it out of my mind, so I’m recreating my version from memory and I can’t wait to show you!