Well, I do keep my word. Today, we had a redo photo shoot of my Renaissance Tunic, designed by Teva Durham. Now, make no mistake as to how much I love this sweater as evidenced by its wearing this winter. My love of this tunic is probably why I wanted to bring it to you, again as I wasn’t sure the first photo shoot did it justice. However, this idea does add pressure to an already stressful activity. That is how I feel with these photo sessions, pure stress. Many reasons. You see, hubby, who wants so desperately to please is not quite as flexible and energetic as he once was and the model is getting older. Both get cranky and both want these photo shoots to be successful, at least in our eyes. Also, a redo moment takes twice the energy to ready our ‘get-up-and-go’ and we (or at least, I) have high hopes of capturing some good looking shots.
I am finding these photo shoots a three step process. Keep in mind the only reason for the photo shoots is to share knitting online. Online sharing is the newest part of the knitting process for me (I’ve been knitting far longer than the internet as been in existence) so I am least experienced in this modeling and that is probably why I find it most difficult. Back to this three step idea, I identify the first step as the actual knitting. For me, the easiest part. Secondly, the fashioning of the knitting (what I am going to wear with it), is sometimes easy and sometimes more difficult. While I am knitting, I have ideas, but sometimes those ideas do not work because while you envision a particular garment looking one way, it sometimes looks another. And thirdly, the actual stance and location of the shoots are planned. This is, by far, the most difficult step in this process for me.
What I didn’t like in the first photo shoot for this garment was my turtle-like posture. It was COLD when we went out. Red nosed, flushed skin, and I had curled my hands and body upward into the sweater so much that when I viewed the photos, it looked like the sleeves were dangling two feet below the length of my arms. I forgot I had my reading glasses on and the reeds in the back camouflaged the sweater rather than complimented it. OK, that was then and feel free to view that post right here. I will call it the Winter version.
Now, when I look at these photos, I feel like we took care of these issues but (and we are NOT telling hubby) I am not thrilled with how I styled the sweater today. The location and weather were beautiful, a gorgeous day, I remembered my posture and hubby gave his all to the assignment, as always. I thought the swing of the hem of the pant would compliment the swing of the hem of the sleeve but I think the fabric of the pants is really turning me off. The photos are attached and I am NOT going to ask to have this photographed, again.
So, we now have a Spring version. Enjoy, feel free to critique, or simply enjoy the effort.
POST SCRIPT: There is more to the story. This is post 2 of 3 of this project. Feel free to follow its story that has a successful ending! Here is post 1 and its final version, post 3!
Hollyknits 
7 responses to “Spring version of Renaissance Tunic”
[…] SCRIPT: Follow the path of Renaissance to see how she looks NOW! This is post 1 of 3. Here is post 2 and post 3 […]
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[…] story of ‘Renaissance’ is a series of events beginning with post 1 here, followed by this, ending here with a very happy girl, […]
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I did go back and review your earlier post. In some shots, you are right about the reeds, but in others, they do what I think you intended them to, and look nice. And I do like the white pants with that sweater. Which. is. amazing. It looks wonderful on you, and looks like it would be something fun to wear that would be right for many different occasions. But I wonder about those dramatic sleeves – do you find they get in your way?
I love the neckline, and it sounds like it was really well designed. You always find the best patterns. :-)
as for the pressure of the photo shoots – not sure I can help you there, except to say to you both try to relax and enjoy the adventure! Do you follow the Knitting Sarah on ravelry or wordpress? She has her son do her photography (he is about 12) and her shots are often funny – she has to crop her head off because she is making faces at him to get him to do what she wants. But the point is, that everyone struggles with it, and we are so critical of ourselves – your photos are beautiful and show your knitwear beautifully. You and your husband do a great job getting good light and composition.
And I have to say, you have been a busy knitter again!
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ugh. You are not going to believe what I am about to tell you. I prefer the white jeans, the reeds might be fine if lighting was different . . . maybe. After I finish the current, I am taking Renaissance’s sleeves off, rip them out and knit just the sleeves in a smaller size. The body is fine. The sleeves will not be shorter, just a bit tighter. I have actually worn the sweater out for lunch and for coffee outings, when they feel in the way, I simply fold them back. Works perfectly. I can’t stand when projects linger forever in my mind and feel the work I do now will pay forward in a bit more comfort later.
Also, I have another I’ve completed that needs a photo shoot. I have been plowing through my yarn. The upcoming projects are much more time consuming so this blast of FOs is short lived.
I will look up KnittingSarah.
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You might as well get those sleeves the way you want htem, because if you don’t, it will always bother you. I think I have told you about a teacher I once had who was in favor of ripping back to get it right. She asked if we were kn itting to get it done or knitting because we enjoyed knitting. If we enjoyed it, what difference did it make if we reknit something? We could enjoy that same yarn all over again. It is good to keep in mind. :-) I feel pretty sure that all of your work will pay off in the end. Also, glad the sleeves fold back so well – I can see them being annoying if they didn’t. Can’t wait to see what else you are working on!
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yep, you are right and I love what your teacher said about ripping out. I may just have to borrow that line of thinking to remind myself and to share with others.
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Feel free! It is especially important to remember when you are knitting lace. lol.
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