Photoshoot

One of the best things about being a student is the amazing opportunities that present themselves. At UCL we have our very own Photography Society, and last week I was very fortunate to be invited to one of their small photoshoots. Ok, so invited may be a stretch, but you don't ask, you don't get! The opportunity to have my knitwear photographed by these awesome people is something that would be completely impossible were it not for the awesome society structure that UCL presents and for which I am very grateful.

The shoot was organized by Tori (remember her, one of my wonderful models from the pre-show and a very good friend of mine), and featured 4 lovely models. All in all, it was a very exciting afternoon. Everything you see in the following photos will be featured in my show in March.

Firstly, a t-shirt of my own design in Wollmeise 100% Merino, colourway Versuchskaninchen, paired with the Assets of Evo hotpants by Marnie McLean (Ravelry link here), in Sirdar Wash 'n' Wear in black. This yarn is surprisingly a favourite of mine, it's a cheap, acrylic/nylon blend and pretty hot to wear, but I think it's fantastic for this sort of garment. It will wear well, which is what you need on the seat, and knits up quickly with excellent stitch definition.

Photo by Teddy Hla, Modeled by Katie

This t-shirt has been causing me no-end of stress over the last couple of months, I'm still unsure whether or not I like it. It's a little frustrating that the front has pooled and the back has not, and I remain dubious about the shape. You can see in this photo that it pulls at the side of the breast, which is less of a problem on a tiny model like Katie, but looks ridiculous on me. But then, looking at this photo, I can't help but like how it's turned out. Maybe after the show I'll make another one, work out the kinks, and you'll then see a pattern.

Next comes a photo of the Leggings with Mesh Sides by Joan McGowan-Michael, published in Knitting Lingerie Style (Ravelry link here), with a number of modifications. These have continued to grow to epic proportions (bloody cotton yarn, why do I insist in swapping fibre contents!), and will almost certainly need a complete re-knit before show day, which is frustrating to say the least. But despite myself I can't help but see some potential in them.

Photo by Teddy Hla, Modeled by Badia

That's all for today, there's more photos to come from this shoot, but it's Christmas Eve (and yes, I know I promised you a pattern for a tree decoration, but it turns out it's pretty crap, maybe next year?), and I have to prep the vegetables for tomorrow. As it's mine and Andrew's first Christmas just the two of us, and as such my first Christmas away from my parents, the pressure is well and truly on! We're vegetarians, which does eliminate any turkey related stress, but creates new stress in filling that gap in the plate. I'm planning to make mushroom tartlets, with an alternative of tomato and sweet pepper tartlets too.

Yesterday was the day for preparing the sweet stuff, and I was very productive.

Firstly I iced the cake;

Cake recipe from Nigella's "How to be a Domestic Goddess", Marzipan and Icing from Sainsbury's

Then I made the mince pies (including the pastry, although the mincemeat was bought), some plum fairy cakes with fresh plum baked into the base, and some Christmas cupcakes. I won't ice them as they're sweet enough already, and Andrew and I aren't the biggest fans of icing.

Front: Mince pies, Left: Plum Cakes, Right: Christmas cupcakes, also from Nigella

See the Christmas cupcakes - look at how much they've risen! I tweaked the recipe slightly and didn't add any sour cream, admittedly I haven't tried one yet, but even if they taste awful I'm still chuffed.

Lastly I used the leftover marzipan and icing from the Christmas cake to make some sweets.

Currently in the fridge. Anyone with half a brain (ie. not me) will have noticed that in putting them chocolate side down I've kind of scuppered them, all of the chocolate has run down and stuck to the baking sheet, not so much the sweets. But it's the thought that counts, not necessarily the appearance!

Merry Christmas to all,

Mich xx