Quilting

As you know from my rambling on this blog, I've been doing some more sewing lately.  That has also meant going through some unfinished projects, and I recently pulled this quilt top out to finish it.  

I began this log cabin quilt in the late 1990's when I was working at a quilt shop.  I finished sewing the blocks together in this house, so sometime after 2009.  I think it's more than time for borders, don't you? Also, just as a side note, for some reason one of the blues is photographing a lot lighter and brighter than it is in real life.  It's not quite as dark as the other blue, but it's not the electric blue it's trying to be in these photos either.

I have plenty of fabric for the borders, I just had to figure out what I wanted to do, but first I needed some measurements.  I had help holding the quilt down for that.  I'm hoping to get the borders added today, then I'll need to figure out a backing (to flannel or not to flannel, that is the question) and I really hope to get this mailed off to the longarm quilter before Caleb goes back to school later this month.  (It's not for Caleb, it's a Fall/Winter quilt for Mickael and I, and also Noodle obviously.  I'm just using Caleb's schedule as a time goal.) That way I'll have it back and ready to bind before the weather turns cold.  (Ha ha!  I'm laughing too!)  

Have a great weekend!

Cables and Leaves

I've completed the yoke section of my Cabled Yoke cardigan.  I'm actually a little bit past the photo now because I've separated the sleeve stitches from the fronts and back.  I'm having a little gauge issue, but I spent some time yesterday afternoon doing the math and I think I've got it figured out.  I might have not done a gauge swatch for this. (Bad knitter!)

I'm really happy with my stitch definition and the overall look of this so far.  The alpaca content in the yarn makes it a little bit fuzzy, but I think the stitch pattern shows up nicely despite that.  I haven't picked buttons yet and I should probably start thinking about them.

A Mystery

I've just finished the Miss May Mystery Shawl.  This was inspired by May Morris, the daughter of William Morris.  

I decided to make it in one color and I'm really happy that I did.  There are some beautiful multicolored shawls in this MKAL, but I had two skeins of Handmaiden Yarn Mini Maiden in Wine and I think this pattern was perfect for it. 

It was a fun project and I enjoyed knitting it.  It's been a while since I knit lace and this was pretty easy lace, so that was nice.

Have a great weekend!

 

A New Cardigan

I started a new cardigan at the first of the month, but then it got bumped aside for the tiger.  A girl has to have priorities, right? (And the fact that north Texas has basically had triple digit high temperatures since the end of May means I'm not sure when I'll be able to wear it.  For reference, we don't usually hit triple digits until late July or August.)

Anyway, I am slowly working on it and I'm just starting the patterned section in the yoke.  The pattern is #19 Cabled Yoke Cardigan, and I'm knitting this in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in the Turquoise Mix colorway.  I've knit with the worsted weight Ultra Alpaca several times and I love working with it, but this is my first time using the lighter  DK or sportweight.  It feels the same, only a lighter yarn, so it definitely goes on the list of yarns I will use again.  It's a 50/50 blend of alpaca and wool so you get the softness and drape of the alpaca along with the bounce and memory of the wool.  This means it feels good to knit as well as to wear.  I'm guessing this lighter weight will be more useful in my closet here in Texas as well.

Have a great weekend! 

I Made A Tiger!

The last few years I've participated in Eat Sleep Knit's Yarnathon program which is a combination of yarn buying loyalty rewards, knit (and crochet) alongs, and random other yarn related things.  There are four teams each year and this year I am a Targhee Tiger.  (Team sorting happens at 12:01 AM EST New Year's Day for previous customers.  It's very exciting.)

At some point during the year (it's been in the summer the last couple of years at least) there is Team Spirit Week.  It's a week of team based activities including a Mascot Challenge, which is to knit or crochet an image of your team's mascot.  It could be a stuffie or a dishcloth or anything with your mascot.

I've usually done little amigurumi stuffies for this challenge and this year was no different.  This is my tiger.  I used the Snowy and Amber The Tigers pattern.  This is not a beginning amigurumi design, but I can say the head, body, and legs are all crocheted together as you go.  The rest is added on later, and it took a few hours to sew on all the details and finishing bits.  I used Emma's Practically Perfect Sock yarn in Volume (orange), After Dark (black), and Terrazzo (cream) with a 2.25mm hook.

I love my little finished tiger!

Also, I should probably mention that I have no affiliation with Eat Sleep Knit other than as a customer and I'm not getting anything from this blog post except for a reason to share my new tiger, which I'm very proud of.

Blanket Update

I'm still working on the Aggie Stripes blanket.  I've got the fourth maroon stripe done, and I still haven't taken a good picture of it.  Morning light is very warm!  I've slowed down on this blanket a bit because I was finishing the Ebb Tide capelet and my third Ambiente, but I hope to spend more time on it again.

I'm not hiding this project, but I think Caleb is so used to seeing me messing with yarn that he just doesn't pay attention anymore.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know I'm making it.

Have a great weekend!

A Dress

I finished a sewing project!  This is the Eva Dress from Tessuti Fabrics.  It's a lantern shaped dress with pockets.  I lengthened it so it would hit me in the right place, but Fifi is a little shorter than me, so when I wear it, it won't be quite as long on me.  It's still definitely in the realm of maxi dress length though. 

This was the first time I made a design from this company but I really enjoyed it and I wouldn't hesitate to make more of their patterns.  I could also see making another one of the Eva dress in a color.  I used IL019 Black FS Signature Finish linen fabric to make the dress.  I use this fabric a lot and have never been disappointed.  It has a nice weight, a nice drape, and is easy to sew.  Being linen, it's wonderful to wear in the heat, which can easily go into September and early October around here.  I think the shape of this dress could work with cropped cardigans or a drapey scarf, so it could be wearable in cooler temperatures as well.

I did make a muslin of the bodice and sleeve portion of the dress to check fit before I cut it out in the linen.  My size was between two of the pattern sizes so I wanted to double check things.  This also gave me a chance to measure for length so I'd know how much I needed to add.  With the lantern shaped skirt I couldn't just add length at the bottom edge or it would end up too narrow to walk in.  I should probably do a muslin more than I do, but I tend to be lazy about them.  I'm trying to get better!