Monday, January 23, 2012

January 23, 2012 one down and one to go

Finished 1 sock of Madden's caterpillar sock. I asked Lori of Evermore studios to due sock yarn for madden in his new school colors. His intention is to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. On the first Wednesday in February we are going he will sign a letter of intent. I am knitting these socks for him to wear.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Two Faces of Millie

Each month I've begun facilitating a vintage apron sewing group called, "Apron Strings.". This month, we will be seeing a sweet apron called, "Millie."  It's made from 2 fat quarters and is reversible.

We are seeing from Denise Clason's book, "Sewing Vintage Aprons." Her instructions are very good and the designs are so classic.

Front of Millie
Back of Millie

My Precious

In tribute to my friend, Andree, I am calling these "the knitting needles fired in the pits of Mordor." The Kollage double-pointed needles are amazing. I got 2 new sets today from Paradise Fibers. I love them all but really enjoy the 5".
5" Size 1 Kollage DPN's

Thursday, January 19, 2012

IPad Cover

IPad Cover by McKnittey
IPad Cover, a photo by McKnittey on Flickr.
Here is a photo of completed iPad cover I adapted from Everyday Handmade. I love it. The only disadvantage is I have to take it out to take a picture. I may finagle a way to make a hole in it.


IPAD Cover Dimensions

When I was at the Houston Quilt Show, I ran across the authors of Everyday Handmade, Cassie Barden and Adrienne Smitke.  I kept seeing them at demos and book-signings and thought, "What the huh?"



Well, I like them because they like to sew stuff for their stuff.  In other words, they sew bags for their knitting gear, covers for their technology, and even covers for their passports.  They love selvedges and covered buttons.  What's not to love?

It is my rule of thumb to buy a book when there are two patterns I would make.  This book has 11 projects.  Yes, 11.

My first project was to adapt the "literary genius e-reader cover" to fit my IPAD.  I have been asked about my cover and I refer them to the book and give them the following dimensions:

BODY:
1 rectangle 20.5" X 10.5"
1 rectangle 3" X 5"
2 squares 2.5" X 2.5"

CONTRAST:
1 rectangle 12.25" X 10.5"
1 rectangle 8.25" X 10.5"
1 rectangle 3" x 5"

INTERFACING:
1 rectangle 12.25" X 10.5"
1 rectangle 8.25" X 10.5"
1 rectangle 3" X 5"
2 squares 2.5" X 2.5"

I also thought I'd be really cute and substitute Peltex 71F for interfacing.  Do not do this.  It's a "bleep" to use in this project.  You'd be better off to use interfacing and fusible fleece to just interfacing.

As is expected, I wish my crafting had been better but I get lots of compliments on it.  My mother has requested one for her Kindle Fire.

I'm having difficulty with my photo of it and will post it later.

My next project from the book is the knitting needle roll.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

January 18, 2010

Heard a fascinating lecture tonight at the McKinney Quilt Guild. Dr. Marian Ann Montgomery who is a textile consultant and quilt historian. She has edited a beautiful book on Hall of Fame Quilters inducted in the Quilter's Hall of Fame in Marion, IN.

I've turned the heel on the basic sock. I am trying to stay ahead of my class.

I have finished some really fun projects from "Everyday Handmade" by Cassie Barden and Adrienne Smitke - an iPad cover and a knitting needle organizer. I intend to blog about both separately to document changes I've made to the project inthe book.

Friday, January 13, 2012

January 13, 2012

Have finished
Both versions of Annie's Apron for the Apron Strings club. They both turned out so cute.

February's theme will be strawberries
For Millie's apron.

I made progress on the "Blathnat" socks for Sock Knitter's Anonymous January mystery sock. I finished clue 2 on sock 1 and am casting on sock 2.

I have begun the heel flap for the basic sock for sock knitting circle.

Very excited because I saw a picture of the custom-dyed Evermore studios crazy lady sock yarn for Madden. It is lovely.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Knitting Glossary

I find before I begin a new project it is helpful to read through the pattern and make sure I know how to "do" the stitches in the pattern.  To that end, I have linked a glossary to help you:

Knitting Help Glossary


Cast-on Summaries

I just could not wait.  I had to put together a post on great cast-on tutorials.

Long tail cast-on is my favorite cast-on method for cuff-down socks.

Cable Cast-on is used for adding stitched in the middle of a project

Provisional Cast-on is great one to know too.  You use it when you want to keep those cast-on stitches active for use later.

One of my favorite sites is TECHKnitting.  She has many cast one techniques she provides good tutorials for.  Go check it out.  Look for the index and scroll down to "cast-on".

Using Double Pointed Needles

I found a great tutorial on Purl Soho on using double-pointed needles.  The pictures are great and it covers everything I did mention and everything I wanted to mention Lesson 1 at sock knitting circle.

Look for a discussion of cast-ons next week.


January 8, 2012

Cast on my first socks of the new year. I am calling it neon crocus. It is the Blathnat designed by Irish Girlie Knits for Sock Knitter's Anonymous January Mystery Sock.

I also worked on a baby doll top designed by Teva Durham.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

January 3, 2012

I finished Mike's scarf today and I'll be finishing Block 4 of Snow Days. It's a thing of beauty truly.

I'm almost halfway done with cutting out the log cabin quilt.

I had my half hexagon quilt laid out in the floor but they dog decided to best in it to it's back to the drawing board with the lay out. I need to make
A roller shade design
Wall for my windows. Brilliant!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

January 1, 2012

So excited for a new year. I have an iPad so am hoping this blogging thing will be more regular. Today I am planning on cleaning up my sewing room after my holiday havoc I wreak every year. I hope to finish Mike's season 18 of Tom baker dr who scarf. I am only making 2/3 of the original scarf but phew! Mike had a trunk lid accident with my favorite ruler so I need to replace that. I'm going to work on cutting and labeling my Betsy Chutchian inspired log cabin quilt and work on Madden's teeter otter quilt and mom's simple stack'n whack. I can also finish the Hawaiian shirt twister tool quilt I'm making. Tomorrow will be devoted to embroidering "Snow Days."