W is for.....Woo Hoo!

Ha ha, no, not wool! Any why? Because I had some fantastic news recently. I’ve just signed a new book and video deal! Squeeeee!

I’ve been bursting to tell everyone about this exciting new project but had to keep myself in check until I had confirmation that the book would be going ahead. As we've now got the green light I can stop feeling fit to pop and tell you all about it.

Back in the summer I was approached by Quarto publishing to see if I’d like to write a knitting book. But this was to be a book with a difference. Have you seen the little black patterned squares that are popping up everywhere? Apparently they are called QR codes and they allow you to scan the code (like a barcode) into your smartphone and then when you click on it, it takes you to the relevant website. So, the new book will have QR codes for each knitting technique and you’ll be able to go directly to a video tutorial which will show the technique in action – amazing, no? And I’ll be writing the words and doing the video tutorials!

After submitting the précis, Pete and I did a test shoot, complete with live commentary. We then went to London for a photo and video shoot with the publisher. It was very interesting to work with another photographer and see things from a different perspective.

The funniest part was then doing a voiceover for the clips. Rather than record live I had to record the voiceover whilst watching my clips. I had no idea how hard this would be! Even though it was my hands, getting the timing right with all the right words in the right places was quite the challenge. The best part was, having decided on about my 20^th attempt that I’d finally got it, I left it for Pete to review, only to hear him laughing his head off from the study as he listened to my dulcet Yorskhire tones. And what was the cause of all this amusement? The aeroplane flying over in full throttle part way through the soundtrack! I was so busy concentrating I was completely oblivious. Oops.

So here are a couple of shots from the day in London.

Lunch in Camden.... 

And a view over the lock...

A walk around one of my fave spots in London - Camden Lock's funky shops..

And in the studio...



I've been down to London this week for the first planning meeting so keep tuned in for progress updates...... : )

"W" was brought to you by the ABC meme