Heel flap, flapper hat and a flapping reflector

One of the great pleasures in what we do is the location photoshoot. The photos for the summer projects from A Year of Techniques were taken in Bath, in the kitchen of my brother’s house and on the banks of the River Avon.

June’s project was the Talmadge cloche by Romi Hill. The technique for this was how to add a knitted-on edge, but for me as the photographer’s assistant, the challenge was staying on the (dry) edge while Jesse tried to get the perfect shot. It was a breezy day, so being told to stand as close to the water as possible while clutching a reflector/personal sail. Fortunately, the wind wan’t quite in the right direction to pull me in, something the tourists in the boats going past would have loved, I’m sure.

“Don’t fall in!” they cried. “Shall I push him instead?” Jen replied.

“Don’t fall in!” they cried. “Shall I push him instead?” Jen replied.

Talmadge has a stylish and distinctive hat shape and there are plenty of wonderful examples.

Jennifer (mamaurchin) used a single button on her Talmadge

Jennifer (mamaurchin) used a single button on her Talmadge

You could of course go the whole hog like Maylin!

Maylin (blithespirit) couldn’t stand still with her Talmadge on!

Maylin (blithespirit) couldn’t stand still with her Talmadge on!

July came and with it turning a heel. In my time as a non-knitter, I had always assumed that everyone who knitted made socks. How wrong I was!

Rachel Coopey’s Antirrhinum socks proved to be incredibly popular with new and experienced sock knitters. Some went with a gentle contrast with the toes, whereas others, such as Nicola, really went to town.

Nicola (bettybugg) won’t lose her feet in the fog!

Nicola (bettybugg) won’t lose her feet in the fog!

The third of the summer patterns, featuring crochet provisional cast on and Judy’s Magic cast on, was Tin Can Knits’ Little Tern blanket. I remember seeing the sample for the first time and realising quite how amazing it looked when the light caught the texture on the surface just so. Anne’s blanket has been shot in just the right position for you to see what I mean.

Anne (amaknitter) blocked her blanket to perfection.

Anne (amaknitter) blocked her blanket to perfection.

If you’re looking for inspiration for colours or modifications to this pattern, I’d thoroughly recommend having a browse through the projects on Ravelry. There is a whole world of creativity out there. Of course, you won’t be able to guarantee that the recipient will stay still long enough for you to get a photograph of it in action!

Honor makes a dash for it… again

Honor makes a dash for it… again

We will be retiring all of the AYoT kits at the start of February to avoid any possibility of confusion with the new series, so if you’ve had your eye on a Little Tern kit, or an Antirrhinum kit, then do grab one now before they are gone.

While the kits are going, the video tutorials are most definitely not! Our page of the AYoT video tutorials is staying forever.

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