A finished object!

I started sewing this quilt in 1999.  It was a mystery quilt, where you bought the fabric but didn't know how the quilt would turn out before hand.  I finished all the blocks but when it came time to put them together I was really not happy with one of the fabrics I chose.  They sat in a box for all these years.  After this recent move I decided I really needed to finish it so I found the last issue and set about putting the blocks together.

I was missing one edge block, and one fabric needed to make that block.  I did find something close in my stash and made a new block.

I think that since I moved this project as many times as I have the fact that I had all the borders, all but one of the blocks and all but one of the fabrics in the same place is pretty amazing.  The block and fabric could both be here.  But this project had waited long enough and I was disinclined to spend too much time looking.  

Today I took it to a local shop to have it machine quilted.  It won't be cheap, after the paying for the backing, batting and quilting, but I'm delighted to have it finished, even with all it's flaws.

ETA - the pattern is Evening Stroll, the last clue was published in the Quiltmaker, Sept/Oct 1999 issue.  

A little sewing

I have a number of quilting projects in my pile of works in progress.  One of my favorite projects is Block of the Month quilts.  I have a disturbing number of them.  One of the issues with moving is that things get shoved into boxes and sometimes lost.  I'm still missing my good sewing scissors.

They will show up.  But in the mean time I've been organizing the sewing area, finding and sorting tools and projects.  Once the space was useable I rewarded myself with time to work on a couple of blocks for this quilt:

After I finished the first block I wondered where to put it so I didn't lose it while I continue with the sorting and stowing.  As usual, this led to some wondering the internet where I found a website that showed a 'block book' for storing the blocks.  I found fabric (doing more sorting and stowing as I went) and made this: 

The 'cover' is quilted fabric/batt sandwich, not fancy or heavily quilted.  The inner 'pages' are flannel, which because of it's nap, holds the blocks without pinning.  I didn't do anything to the the cut edges of the flannel so I will probably have some issues with fraying eventually.  But I will deal with that when the time comes.  

It turned out so well I'm making another for additional BOM projects that I'm working on.  

And how was your week? 

Just a little knitting

In the interest of not falling into old habits I'm writing even though there isn't much in the way of knitting content.

It was a quiet weekend filled with more unpacking, sorting, and putting stuff away.  Way too much looking for stuff, though.  That is the worst part of moving, relocating my things.  I decided to stop at the little quilt shop near my new place.  It's very nice and had many lovely and inspiring projects and fabrics.  I fell off the no new stuff wagon and bought a christmas quilt kit.  I really like the old world santa art and they had a nice sale.  Perhaps I will manage to get it sewn up by next winter holiday.

They also had this lovely item that made me think of my mother.

She loves both daffodils and yellow.  This project would be much too fussy for me though so she will need to find someone else to make it for her. 

Before I can start the lovely santa project I need to finish some other things I have in my project stash.  After hours of looking I finally found the project and most of the tools.  Then I had to get the sewing space cleaned out.  It had become a landing pad for a lot of things that hadn't been put away yet.  I'm still missing a lot of other tools but I had a great time doing a little sewing.  Brightened my weekend. 

Just so you all don't have wool withdrawal here is the first sleeve of a new cardigan. I've cast on the second sleeve and will be able to join the sleeves and knit the yoke soon.  The body is done as well but getting pictures off my phone is not as easy as I think it should be.  The pattern is Autumn Fire from Knitty.  It's almost too warm to wear it here already this spring, but fall is coming so I'll be ready when the time comes.  

Trying hard to get as many of my projects in progress done as possible.  Then I'll have to try hard to keep the project creep from happening, again.  Startitis is not my friend.  It's so hard to ignore the lure of new projects.

Where have I been?!

I've been having life.  All in all though, life is going well.  

I took a new job, moved, lost job, moved, acquired new job, moved and in between these there were the prerequisite 'life happens' bits as well.  Some of this happened before the blog became so neglected, but all the change and upheaval compounded.   

I've settled, in my own place and in my mind, and it's time I got back to taking care of this blog.  I enjoy doing it, but when I felt like I didn't have time to do what I wanted to do, I put things off until I found more time, which just never happens.  

I'm currently in search of a new car.  I'm torn between getting a second Toyota Prius or a Honda Fit.  I loved my old Prius.  I'm not sure that should preclude shopping around since I have the option, and the Honda is available in a color that is almost purple.  Test drives will happen Saturday.  Then I will take time to decide.  No reason to hurry the decision since I'll keep the car for at least a decade, if past experience is anything by which to judge.  

And now - time to run off the dream land 

Best laid plans

I had great intentions of getting back into the habit of updating this blog on a regular basis.  I failed.

I have been doing quite a bit of other things.

October involved applying for college.  Still unemployed.

November ended with a move in with friends. Still unemployed.  I have TOO much stuff.  I also took the GMAT.  I received a decent score, but my math scores were terrible.  If my math scores were anywhere close to my other scores I'd probably have received scholarships for college.

December involved hoping to get money for school, sewing a lot of costumes and holiday time with friends.  I also got a call from a employment agency, I went to several interviews for a job and finished up all the work to start school.  Including a math placement test.  At least I didn't place in college prep math?

January involved another round of interviews for a job (same as the December place). Starting classes (registration was entertaining) and within the first week of classes getting a job offer. It was a tough choice between chasing a degree I want and having money and a decent job.  I took the job.  After talking to the advisor (I couldn't enroll in any classes because, according to my admission, I had no prerequisites) I learned that I might be better off starting off in the program in Lincoln rather than starting here and transferring there later. About $20,000 better off.  It will also give me time to see if I can improve the math score on the GMAT.

So far the new job has been good. I've been there three whole weeks so far.  The roommates are good.  I will probably stay where I am at least until summer.  I'm trying to finish some knitting.  I have WAY to many pieces in progress at the moment.  Then my mother sends me a shawl (yarn and pattern) to knit for her.  I have started that.  I should also start, seriously, the sweater she sent home with me last winter.  I have everything ready to cast on, but I just haven't done it yet.  I am a slacker.

And how are things with you!?

Something Completely Different

I have designed a scarf AND written a pattern.

It is for sale here 

Look - Socks!

This has been the year of socks at my house.  I hope it continues.  I have a LOT of sock yarn.

These are my completed socks so far:


Water Cycle Socks in Lana Grossa


Elegant Cable Socks in Regia Silk


My Cup of Tea in Sockatta


Sockdolager in Socks that Rock


Flying Dutchman in Gloss


Greenhouse socks in Stroll


Rushing Rivulet in Socks that Rock


Secret Fan in Gloss


Chicane in Stroll


Lebowski in Stroll


Garden Maze in Stroll


Little Deschutes in Stroll (I did complete two of them, but all those pictures are so dark the cables, which is the best part of this pattern, don't show)

There are three or four more pairs on the needles, so I do hope I manage to finish them this year, as well.

Visiting Knitting Camp

Today I have guests.  My mother and I went to knitting camp this year.  I am participating in a traveling socks group and the toes I had insisted in going along.  Here is their view of knitting camp.

They were very attentive in class.  Here they are listening to a lecture on jogless color work. 

They helped my out by interviewing potential yarn for a new sweater.  They really put this Icelandic Unspun through the wringer. It will surely become a great sweater. 

 After they finished interviewing the unspun they celebrated the selection.  

 They visited the Shetland Islands.  An entire table of balls shetland wool!  At least one ball of every color in this line.  I'm not sure who was more in awe, me or the sock toes.

 This is what the toes hope to become when they grow up.  They admired all the amazing socks on display. 

 They saw some lovely baby sweaters.  These are Baby Surprise Jackets, which are not only fun to knit but amazing feats of construction and design.

They also admired this lovely color work.  There were also some cool hats, coats, jackets and a lot of very enthusiastic knitters sharing their amazing projects and love of knitting.

This is my third trip and I always come back with new ideas.  I have been busy finishing projects and getting busy attempting the new ideas I have to fix patterns and sweaters that just didn't fit like I wanted them to, all thanks to Meg Swansen's Knitting Camp and all the enthusiasm and 'Yes, You Can!' support from all the teachers and fellow knitters.

Socks - 2013.1

I may have mentioned that I love knitting socks.  I have two drawers full of hand knit socks at the moment and I have finally walked holes in the heels of one of the first pair I ever made.  I'm trying to decide if I should darn them or if 11 years of wear is sufficient.

This is the first pair I finished this year:

I received this pattern and yarn as part of a sock kit of the month.  The yarn is Regia Silk.  The pattern is by Nancy Walsh.  It's a nice yarn.  The socks are lovely.  

Checking in after checking out

I spent the last weekend sorting my stash.  I have seen many moths in my apartment so I felt a wool check was in order.  So far I have found no infestation or damage.  It has been good to go through it all and see it.  It reminds me that I already have lots of great projects waiting to be knit.  I need to knit faster.

After two years spent knitting down stash I'm not able to find any noticeable reduction.  However, I am much better at looking through stash for projects or yarn for projects.  I'm not longer tracking the amounts in and out.  I may go back to that at some point, but I'm now more than 10,000 yards more out than in.  Still too much yarn to add to Ravelry stash.

I have decided to attempt the Tour de Fleece challenge.  I have enough fleece and spinning everyday would be good for skill development.



I have been quite busy knitting socks this year.  I have finished 9 pair and I have also finished a sock on several other pair.  I'm working on a list of socks to start when I finish another pair. So many nice patterns!  I already have two drawers full of handmade socks.  I'm not sure I need more, but I love them so.

Last week I finished another shawl.  This one was a pi shawl.  I hope to get it washed and blocked this week.  I am very pleased with how it came out.  I used a Russian Join as I added new skeins so there is only one end to weave at the beginning and one at the end.

I am also busy sewing project bags.  In addition to yarn inspection, I found all the bag fabric in my stash so that I can make even more bags.  Having all my projects in bags would be nice, and I hope that  by having all the bits together I won't lose necessary bits for finishing a project.  I'm going to put them up for sale on Etsy as well, and selling them all so that I have to make more in order to have one for me wouldn't break my heart.

Mother and I are going to Knitting Camp again this year.  I'm looking forward to that.  Hopefully this time there will be pictures.  I'm very bad at remembering to take pictures.

Out with the old, in with the new.

End of 2012 wrap up.

Since the last time I posted I have finished several more knitting projects that I have failed to record here.  (Bad blogger - no cookie)  Probably the best on was a Smitten Mitten advent thing for my nephew.  Reports back from my brother are that the gift was greatly enjoyed.  It's too bad they live so far away.  I would have liked to be there to see.  My brother sent pictures and reports the first few days, but they are busy people and didn't manage to keep it up the whole time.

Although I generally avoid the whole New Years Resolution thing I'm going to post a list of plans for the new year.  Not resolutions so much as goals.

* I'm doing very well on my second year of using stash.  I plan to continue this goal.  I really need to get my stash under control.

* I'm attempting to collect and finish the many, many unfinished objects or dispose of them if that is the appropriate action.

* I'm working on organizing all my 'stuff'.  If I can find things when I need them I won't acquire new ones.  While working on this project I discover that I have a rather alarming quantity of hand sewing needles.  I'm certain that I couldn't find the type I wanted so I purchased more.

* I'm working on getting all the miscellaneous patterns gathered into binders.  I've already been doing this but occasionally I get busy creating and things don't get put away properly afterwards.  I also need to throw away paper copies of things that I have in electronic form.

* I'd really like to be better about blogging regularly.  I'm much to easily distracted by the new shiny thing.

Before I moved to Nebraska I culled my library.  I still have more books than I have space for and another culling session is in order.  That is part of today's agenda.

I also have a new guitar.  I try to practice for 20 minutes twice a day.  Some days I'm successful.  I think if I can succeed four days a week I win.  I'm getting better, finally.  The first couple months were painful.  I'm liking it a lot and I'm rather pleased with my enabling friends who assisted me with this new thing.  I need more music to practice but I have a horrible time choosing things.  I like too many different kinds of music.

Happy New Year to all.

Hmm

Found a 'not seen it before' werewolf movie this morning.

I wasn't missing anything.

But it's mindless fun while working on my new sweater.

Here is the completed Red/black/yellow Philosopher's Wool sweater:

And for size and shaping:


I think it turned out well.  I'm going to use the same numbers for the new one.

I've also finished the sleeves on the gold one I'm making for mom.  I have the front done to the neck and two sleeves.  I hope to get the back done and sewn up this week.  Then I can give it to her before it gets too cold.

Breast Cancer Awareness

See this blog post for this month's "Yes - What She Says!"

http://threadingwater.wordpress.com/2006/10/03/pink-porn/

And here we go again

Best intentions?  It certainly started out that way.  I pulled the two boxes of acrylic yarn out and started knitting.  I've made several blocks for my Primrose Path Afghan:


 
I made a few tawashi and pulled several lengths for a Stained Glass afghan.

I'm now down to one box of acrylic.

I'm pushing forward on my red/black Philosopher's Wool Tradition.



And this lace shawl that's been hanging around in the WIP basket for years:



Today the shawl was a real PITA.  The yarn keeps becoming a knotted mess.  Today after finally working through a second knotted mess the ball AGAIN barfed all over.  I was so angry I just broke of the mess and joined the ends, finished the row and shoved it back into the bag.  At least I managed to get 12 rows finished before I had my temper tantrum. But Dang Nabbit!!!!

New mantra for fall:  Finish all the THINGS!

Deadly socks!

Oh - I forgot to put up pictures of my Sock Sniper socks!

Aren't these cool!?



I love the color of this yarn.  It's a good thing I didn't have much time to think about that before I mailed them.  They are now merrily on their way to their new home.  I'm waiting patiently (for some very odd definitions of patience) for their arrival to be announced by their new owner.

Fall Creeps

Best intentions and all that.  I've been sucked into sewing.  I finished two quilt tops and started another. This has caused a slow down in the production of knitted items.

I did finish a shawl last weekend.  I hope to get it washed and blocked this weekend.  It's quite pretty.  Black and teal Zauberball sock.  Pictures up as soon as the pinning is done.

I hope to finish up three sweaters and a shawl before Christmas.  We shall see how that goes.

Spring cleaning? Nope - preparing for the long dark winter.

Instead of knitting I'm cleaning out the craft room.  I'm currently surrounded by the horror that is my stash (OMG!).  I'm planning to pull everything out, sort it, and make a list so I can find things when I want.  I imagine you can all guess how that's going.

Every new batch elicits "I really need to cast on this project.  This is great yarn."

And the WIPs.  I need to make a schedule.  And project bags. (because sewing project bags is the thing I should be doing rather than finishing the knitting).

But the painful question - do I put all this glory up on Ravelry?  Do I really want to know how many miles of yarn I have?

But at least I'm still succeeding in more in than out.  Of course I did put 5000 yards of yarn in my cart on Knitpicks yesterday.  If I didn't actually buy it, it doesn't count - right?

A little bit of random

I have too much stuff.  Thinking the challenge would help me work down some of my fleece I join a group spinning during the Tour de France (called the Tour de Fleece) but I'm not feeling it.  I've managed to spin about 15 minutes all week.   The spinnings others are doing is lovely and inspirational and I'm enjoying that.  But I just can't seem to get into the grove of spinning.

I need a new purse.  I made one almost two years ago that has developed wear holes in the corners and one I bought last year on vacation that fell apart this weekend.  I'd like to use a pattern I already own but it's lost in the move and I haven't managed to find it yet.  I spent WAY too much time yesterday bumming around the internet looking for a different pattern but failed to find anything interesting enough to spend time or money on. I already have fabric I want to use and I FOUND that.  Just need the pattern.    I suppose that by the time I find the pattern I'll have misplaced the fabric.

I spent a couple hours messing about in the craft room yesterday.  I was looking for the purse pattern and generally trying to make it into useable space.  It's really become a dumping ground.  Actually managed to get  a few things sorted and the space is better, not quite usable yet, but better.  I still have piles of things (books and magazines mostly) that need to be gone through, and records that need to be shredded.

It's so easy when sorting things to get distracted by all the lovely yarn and projects.  Since 98% of my yarn is already destined from some project or other; I see it, remember what its for and think "oohh! I should start that, it will be so nice when done and fun to make!  I'm glad that nearly all the things I wanted to make when I bought the yarn are still things I want to make.  Yesterday I did that with at least 4 different sweaters 'kits'. I should put together some sort of random method of selecting the next sweater to work on.  But first I should finish the five I'm currently working.  (FIVE!?  I need to FOCUS.)

This morning I need to get excited about the new Tour de Sock pattern that will be release this morning. Thanks to this challenge I have already knit a sweaters worth (well, worsted weight yardage-wise) of yarn.

Completed socks!

I managed to finish both pairs of socks this week!

First the fourth pair of socks for Tour de Sock!



And the socks from Brave New Knits!

I plan to work on finishing some WIPS the rest of this month as well as the last two pairs of Tour de Sock socks.  Then I'm going to focus on preparing for Sock Sniper. Could this be the year of the sock!?

I usually save this space for completed items, but not today.  Check out this cool sock I finished last night:



and these are almost done as well:



These were only supposed to have the cable on the front of the leg but that seemed silly to me so I also cabled the back and I've changed the heel to a short-row rather than gusset.