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It's That Time of Year

On October 25 there will be only two months before Xmas and all knitters know that is a time when most of their knitting will become Xmas gifts.  So how do you go about posting information about your knitting on social media without giving away the fact you are knitting a gift?

Kerry Bogert, Editor of Interweave, gave those of us concerned about this a few tricks to keep in mind.


  • Mind what you say when commenting or creating a caption about your gift.  Do not start by saying something like:  "Just had to show you progress on this gift I am knitting."  Instead say nothing about it being a gift and no one will be the wiser.  This isn't exactly a bold suggestion, but some people forget to keep their own secret..


  • Stick a cat on it.  A good way to disguise a gift is to make a cat the main feature of the photo.     Above is old Mike photo bombing an attempt to get a good look at a Gramp's sweater.  Should you not have a cat available, try plants, children, whatever works to keep the viewer's eye off the project.


  • Use a colour filter.  If you turn your coloured photo to a black and white one, much of its appeal is negated.  This photo even though it contains no knitting is vastly less eye-catching without the surroundings being in colour.  In fact, it might be easy to totally overlook.


  • Take a photo so close-up the view shows off the colour of the yarn but not the project itself.  This is a picture of a raccoon I knit that was taken very close up.  It might be difficult to determine if this is a side of a sweater with a button or something else.  I knew it was a raccoon, but not everyone else did until after it was revealed.
There you go knitters, photograph away during this holiday gift making part of the year.  Just keep these ideas in mind and your presents will remain a surprise or secret to those who receive them.

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