Which Stitch Markers Are Best

When I first took up crochet I didn't have any stitch markers, I didn't even know stitch markers existed. It wasn't long before I knew about them and I learnt the value of using stitch markers, aka stitch savers. That first frustrating experience of when a project accidentally unravels because there's nothing holding onto the stitch to stop it coming undone or your crochet circle grows in ways it isn't supposed to and the worth of this tiny tool became obvious very quickly. But there are so many styles of stitch marker to choose from, locking, circle, coil-less, plastic, safety pins, thread, 3D printed... does it really make a difference which one you use? Is it just how pretty they are? I walk you through a dozen different stitch markers from items you have lying around your home to the fancy artisan styles. I share with you what features to look for and those that don't really hold up to the task.
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Despite The Wrong Focus Point

It's been raining today. Right now the rain's stopped and the sun pops out from behind the clouds every now and then.

The dogs dragged me away from the computer to enjoy the after-rain clean freshness of it all for a few minutes. A couple of butterfly's had me running back inside to get the camera. Of course they were gone by the time I returned.

I had my 17-70mm lens on and I thought I'd try to capture a few after rain shots. I was happily snapping away. I even remembered to switch to time value for the bug shots.

But I forgot that the other day I had switched the focus point to 'all' (or automatic point selection I think is it's proper name). I almost always have my camera set to 'centre point' focus so it is a fairly safe assumption for it to be set to that. Except for today.

Now I've got a lot of 'could have been a great shot' shots. Despite forgetting to check all of my settings I still managed to get a few shots I rather like.

raindrops & sunshine

bee gathering pollen

ladybug

euphorbia milii aka crown of thorns

caterpillar

hairy grass leaf with rain drops

I must admit half of these shots are from after I fixed the focus point.

Comments

  1. Jazzy Jack7 August 2015 at 19:24

    I love the loaded bee and the sopping caterpillar!
    Well done despite your difficulties. Jazzy Jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 10:57

      I wish I could have got that caterpillar's mouth better, he was munching on that leaf the whole time I was trying to get a shot.

      Delete
  2. Unknown7 August 2015 at 20:34

    Beautiful! I really like them all but the raindrops might be my favorite (Close second to the ladybug on the..lime? Do you have a lime plant?!). It's been rainy here, too. Today is the first day it hasn't been in a few, but I woke up to cool weather and a giant rainbow. Now I'm getting eaten up by mosquitoes because I can't make myself go back inside! I really admire your photography.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 10:55

      We do have a lime! But this ones a lemon ;) How awesome to wake up to rainbow, mosquitoes not so much.

      Delete
  3. The Honest Badger7 August 2015 at 21:35

    They look good, even with the wrong focus. I LOVE macro photography.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:09

      I need to do more macro shots, I have been focusing on birds a lot recently and forgot how much I love the macro's too.

      Delete
  4. Linda Kilsdonk7 August 2015 at 22:01

    Despite the wrong focus point, I think you got some real winners! They''re beautiful! My favorite time to catch photos is after a rain also. Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:10

      After rain shots do seem to be extra special for some reason, I wonder why?

      Delete
  5. Linda Kilsdonk7 August 2015 at 22:01

    Despite the wrong focus point, I think you got some real winners! They''re beautiful! My favorite time to catch photos is after a rain also. Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle7 September 2015 at 14:51

      I don't do enough after rain shots, I guess it's just too cold as often as not.

      Delete
  6. abrianna8 August 2015 at 00:07

    Great photos and yes I do that too :). Not so much with focus point but with white balance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:15

      I leave the white balance on auto. Lazy I know ;0)

      Delete
  7. Ruth Daly Author8 August 2015 at 07:38

    These are great, especially the raindrops. It's amazing what beautiful pictures you can get in the rain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:28

      It's the first time I've ever tried to get droplet photos. I took a dozen or so shots and I'm pleased at least this one was worth sharing.

      Delete
  8. Ruth8 August 2015 at 07:55

    These are great! The drops of water look like some sort of creatures. Seem like they are going to burst at any moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:33

      Hahaha, creatures! I love it, I think you could develop a great sci-fi story around that.

      Delete
  9. Kelly Del Valle8 August 2015 at 10:44

    That has happened to me SO many times! I also have a hard time reconciling the viewfinder with my glasses - nailing focus is my biggest challenge! You got some very nice shots though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:36

      I don't know how I'd cope if I had to wear glasses and try to take shots, I have to take off my sunglasses. I don't know how you manage it. I'd would probably have to rely entirely upon the autofocus beeping to tell me to take the shot.

      Delete
  10. Pierced Wonderings8 August 2015 at 12:45

    I love these shots! Those water droplet shots are beautiful. Focus is difficult for me...it usually takes me a few shots to get it sorted. Fortunately the things I take pictures of are patient and wait on me. ;)

    thank you for joining us again this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:38

      I ALWAYS take multiple shots. It's not until I get back to the computer that I really find out if a shot has worked or not. I love your Focus Friday linky, I just wish I had more time to spend on all the links.

      Delete
  11. betty-NZ8 August 2015 at 14:47

    I think they are all great photos and have found that some 'mistakes' end up quite nice. Your little visitors are just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 11:39

      I love finding all the little visitors in our garden. I am still trying to get a good shot of a lizard though.

      Delete
  12. Betty Manousos8 August 2015 at 16:03

    these are all great shots!
    thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend~

    ReplyDelete
  13. chickenruby9 August 2015 at 02:15

    you lost me at the 17-70mm i have a Nikon camera for the past year, it's still on automatic and i mainly use my iPhone for the pics

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle10 August 2015 at 13:59

      A year! Oh my, it's time to learn to have fun with your Nikon. Have you read my post on how to get out of Auto? http://www.purfylle.com/2014/12/where-to-start-with-dslr-camera.html I wrote for me back when I didn't have a clue how to use my camera. I used those same settings for ages and still pretty much do.

      It's super easy to get started. I promise you will see a difference straight away and you'll have lots more fun with the camera. You can ask me as many questions as you like too.

      Delete
  14. Unknown9 August 2015 at 10:44

    beautiful! you have some amazing pictures here!

    ReplyDelete
  15. NCSue18 August 2015 at 20:51

    Oh I don't know about "the wrong focus point". These shots look pretty darn fine to me!
    Thanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/08/double-play-on-way.html

    ReplyDelete
  16. Captured by Jade24 August 2015 at 21:07

    Wow, what beautiful photos! I really like the one of the lady bug but the last image of the raindrops is my favourite.

    Sharing snapshots at Captured By Jade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purfylle7 September 2015 at 14:58

      I was very pleased with my raindrops too, but I think I could do better with the ladybug. Next time.

      Delete

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