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.

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

IPad Cover

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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."

Distractions!

It's the start of the school year and the start of Fantasy Football and all of my great plans for completing the projects in an entire book have gone out the window.  Best laid plans of mice and men.  With that said, my knitting group I started, "Casting Purls" had it's inaugural meeting and seemed to go very well.

I am looking forward to it and to working on some great socks.  That seems where the interest is.

I've decided to make a pair of toe-up mystery socks through the sock knitters anonymous group on Ravelry.com.  The pattern is called "watercress."  I've done toe-up socks before but my brain is stalling.  Encouragement is needed.  And maybe some chocolate

3rdX the Charm!

This is my third start on the Designer Wannabe Tank from Stitch'n Bitch: The Happy Hooker. I just could not get a color and yarn combo I was happy with. Now, I've got it and want to get this puppy done! It calls for beads for the scalloped edging and I would so love something really cool.

I have modified the pattern to have a ten stripe repeat instead of three. Also, I am working it in the round. I will also make the trim all one color. So far so good!

Installment 1 in the Loop d Loop Crochet Adventure

I started the Sidesaddle Cluster Pullover on July 4.  This is my first project on my new resolution to make all the projects in Teva Durham's Loop d Loop Crochet.  I am about a third of the way through this project.  The only adjustment I've made to the project is to  add more stitches under armhole to create a little larger armhole and to adjust my hook sizes to allow me to get gauge.

Also, I am going to make the bottom of the tunic as one-piece.  I will still turn it to maintain the great lace pattern but I am not a huge fan of seaming in crochet.

A Birthday Resolution

With the passing of my birthday, I have decided to make a resolution for the remainder of the year.  I am going to work my way through Teva Durham's, Loop d Loop Crochet front to back.  Okay, I already made the "little girl's bolero" and I started the "sidesaddle cluster pullover" but after that I am starting with the "Hip Slung Belt" and working my way through.

I think it will be a great adventure and a crochet workout.

The order is:
Hip Slung Belt
Brocade Boots
Patch Pocket Skirt
Track Stitch Tunic

I cleaned up my ravelry page and ordered some yarn to get me started.  Very, very excited.

Owlet quilt

My owlet quilt that I've been designing is almost complete.  It has been very fun.  Stay posted for pix and more fun.

Crochet Kerchief Bib

I was so fascinated by the cuteness of Julia Vaconsin's knit kerchief bib I thought I would come up with a pattern for a crochet one:

Crochet Kerchief Bib

Materials:

Gauge: Gauge did not matter to me for this project as it is a baby bib.  Looser gauge makes bigger bib.  Tighter gauge makes smaller bib.

• D (3.25) mm hook
• cotton worsted yarn (using a smaller yarn would give you a smaller bib)
• Button for neck closing
• decorative button for embellishment
• needle and thread for sewing on buttons
• Clover yo-yo maker size large

Row 1: ch3
Row 2: work sc increasing at each end (5sc), ch 1 turn
Rows 3-20: Rep Row 3 until 47 stitches have been achieved.
Row 21: 2sc in first stitch (inc), sc in next 10 stitches, sc3 tog, sc 1, ch 1 turn. (leave remaining stitches unworked)
Row 22: sc 1, sc3 tog, sc in 9 stitches, inc
Rows 23-28 repeat rows 21 & 22 until 9 stitches remain
Row 29: work 9 sc, chain 1 turn
Rows 30 - 45: repeat row 29
Row 46:  work 2 sc chain 3, work 3 sc, ch 1 turn
Row 47: work 2 sc, work 1 sc in each chain, work 3 sc. FO
Rows 48-75: on other unworked side of bib, repeat rows 21-47 in reverse omitting buttonhole in row 46.

Weave in all ends.

Sew button on non-buttonhole side of bib for closure.  You could also omit the buttonhole and use Velcro.

I embellished the bib by making a fabric yo-yo and sewing a decorative button to it but you can embellish nay way you choose.  You could embroider, sew wool appliqués, sew patches, etc.

I use this bib for charity.  Please feel free to make as many of this pattern if you are going to give them away.  Please contact me if you are going to make them to sell.

Amy Barickman Mother Goose Book and Fabric Line and Embroidery Scrumptiousness

My new love is absolutely embroidery.  I took a class at the beginning of January to refresh my skills.  I confess, I learned to embroider in girl scouts.  Who can still say that?  And I have been working on Sharon Wilhelm's Garden Sampler.  It's almost done except for those maddening French knots.  Now, I am working on Snow Days by Crabapple Hill.  It's is so amazing.  I even made my own light box.  But. . .I ran across this post by Amy Barickman on her blog and had to share. . .

"Many times I’ve been asked how I get the ideas for my books, patterns or fabric lines? And the short answer is lots of places.  My passion for seeking out vintage sewing treasures and collecting sewing books and ephemera has lead to many of my projects over the years. The Sew-it Book, Buttonware, Hankie Style andVintage Notions are just a few of the books that I have created based on inspiring vintage items I’ve found and collected.

Through my travels, I always seek out antique malls, galleries or flea markets to rummage through. Often, I see something beautiful that catches my eye – colors, fabric textures, the shear artistry of a piece or the details in the stitching. It may just be an old book filled with gorgeous illustrations.

Many times this stirs my creative juices and I combine the inspiration with current trends in the market to come up with a new book or pattern idea. Other times, I find a vintage piece and realize the concept or creation would be interesting to today’s consumer and feel the need to “rescue” it from obscurity.

One example is my latest embroidery book, A Stitch in Time with Mother Goose. This book of vintage embroidery designs, along with my coordinating fabric line from Red Rooster Fabrics of the same name, was inspired by a darling baby blanket I found during my travels. The quilt was created from an old Butterick transfers pattern circa 1920’s. I’ve also discovered in my collection the original magazine ad featuring the pattern for sale. Below are a few shots of the original blanket.

I was toying already with the idea of creating a new embroidery book with a vintage feel and had some wonderful Mother Goose line art that I wanted to use, but the project had not yet come to fruition. I happened upon this hand embroidered baby blanket in bluework, along with the original vintage transfers and the entire project took shape.

Embroidery is really making a come back. The book includes 25 designs to be transferred to fabric and instructions for 7 different projects including two quilts. Here are just a few projects included in this book:

Another method of embroidery can be done with just the Mother Goose fabric itself. Two of the fabric line coordinates are “cheater” blocks. These two panels – one in red and one in blue – have the Mother Goose line art already printed directly on the fabric. All one has to do it thread your needle and following the lines. No transfers needed."

Amy is doing a giveaway at her blog.  Be sure to check is out.