A sad and hard post for me to write. My beloved cat, Missy, passed away on May 19. She was an independent, loving, and loyal friend and the best cat anyone could ask for. I miss her and will miss her. No cat will ever come close. She was loyal and loving to the end. I hope she always has a sunny spot to lay in and a comfortable lap to lay on.
Angela’s gain is my, um gain! Angela did a little airing of the stash and some destashing and I am the fortunate beneficiary. My Yarn Purge totals have taken a hit – more incentive to knit fun things!
First up, the workhorses in the sock yarn world. Black Koigu KPM 2400. This is for the x’s in my planned argyle wonderfulness. Why two skeins? Well, you don’t know the scope of my planned argyle wonderfulness! (Cat runs from cackling)
STR Mr. Greenjeans lightweight (can I really pass up pretty STR, especially where green is involved?) and Little Bunny Foo-Foo lightweight to join a skein of Little Bunny Foo-Foo I already owned. Now I can do kneesocks or nonsocks! I really enjoy knitting with STR!
In the fun category, one skein of Snicklefritz Gnome au natural, one of MadelineTosh Sock in Valentine, and two (!) of Pigeonroof Studios Vitals. All of these are just so pretty. They may lay around in a nice bowl. The Pigeonroof Studios I think will make a nice cowl and beret, if I have the yardage.
Gee, can you tell which colors I went for? Clearly in a pink mood. I think I will have fun this weekend finding a new project to start with my new yarn (need to start working on the purges to offset these splurges)!
-Buffy
Ulmus is finished! This was a fun, quick knit. Notice the lack of blocking wires and my attempt to block using hundreds of straight pins. I can’t find my wires anywhere, and this is the second shawl I’ve blocked where it’s been obvious I don’t have enough of those blocking squares from Knitpicks. Next time I order I’ll have to get more…
Needle size: 5
Sundara Sock Yarn in Night Blossom and Violet Mist.
I made the Medium because I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough to do the Large and still have a one-color border, which was Middle’s request.
I have 18 grams of Violet Mist left over and 58 grams of Night Blossom. Enough for some matching mitts if Middle desires…
It’s been a long long road but I’ve reached the end at last. A big shout out to Buffy for suggesting sewing the backing on the blanket using her quilting sewing machine. It would still be far from done if I had to do it by hand. I tried doing three short rows of hand stitching and it just about killed me.
Here it is in all it’s glory (BrooklynTweed has nothing on my photography skills, heheh)…..
and
and
It will be gifted tomorrow.
skimberlya
The destashing bug has affected more than just my yarn stash. I’ve been feeling the need to destash my fabric as well. So when I needed ideas for a baby gift, I went to my fabric stash first. In a fit of organization last fall, I sorted all of my fabric scraps into potential project piles and put them in big ziplock bags. I used part of the contents of one to make a big bag for my MIL. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a firm believer in a bags. Lots and lots of bags. The bag conveniently became the gift wrap for one of my MIL’s Christmas presents. Since then, with the move and everything, my fabric stash has been languishing. The baby in question is a boy and what better place to go for inspiration than the ziplock of scraps from a quilt for Nephew #1. I really lucked out and had some great scraps and one piece that was big enough for the backing without piecing. The only thing I had to buy was batting. I laid out the scraps until they fit together in a size that fit the size of the backing. I even squared up the backing and each of the scraps. (I know!) I had to piece a few scraps together in some places and my sewing could have been better at some of the corners, but, in about 2 hours, I laid out the top, squared everything up, and sewed the top together. I did some layered applique to tie everything together so the backing fabric was brought into the quilt top. After I did the quilting (freehand swirlies), I was stuck on the binding. I hate binding. I am just no good at getting the back and front of the binding to line up exactly, so the sewing is always wonky. I ended up doing a foldover binding and even made pseudo-mitred corners. I now LOVE the foldover binding. Super fast and no sewing woes. For this quilt, I think the foldover binding really just pulls it all together. I am quite pleased with how this one turned out!
Now that I have room to keep my sewing maching and the sewing table out at all times, I see more sewing in my future. I have a big sewing project planned that relies heavily on log cabin squares. I have had some problems with log cabin in the past. (The blanket I made for the baby’s sister featured my first attempt at a log cabin square.) Since then, my grandmother has walked me through the basics of the log cabin square (don’t ask how I was messing it up, but I managed it) and even sent me home from my last visit with a sample. I think I may use some of my scraps as test subjects. I’ve got enough of the scraps from the quilt for Nephew #1 for a nice sized square or two. I will let you know how it goes.
-Buffy
I have almost finished the second of my Lucky Leafling socks using a toe modification inspired by KnittingSuzanne. Of course, I didn’t realize she spelled out her modification on her Rav project page, so I reinvented the wheel so to speak. Didn’t turn out too bad. (ignore old polish job…)
Of course, since I am almost done, I had to start a new sock project! I’m actually keeping up with this year’s Rockin’ Sock Club shipments. Just received the May shipment and am already getting ready to start the heel on the first sock! (Warning…spoiler ahead)
I think it’s striping nicely, although the pattern is completely obscured. It is more visible when stretched out on a foot. But with the pattern name “Fraggle Squiggle” what do you expect??? It will have a shorter leg than my usual sock because these are being made for Middle. This color is not something I would ever pick out for myself. Details (for Buffy–who always wants good striping effects): Needle size 2.5mm. 68 stitch (size Medium).
And I haven’t forgotten the Ulmus. It’s coming along. Looks the same…just bigger. And I already have the yarn picked out for Ulmus Two. Youngest picked out STR lightweight in Typhoon Tina and Beryl. I’ll have to–gasp– swatch and see how they look together…but I think they’ll work. Of course, this means one for Eldest can’t be too far behind….good thing it’s an easily memorized pattern!
There should be plenty of knitting time over the next few school days. Tomorrow finals start. That means drop-off at 8 and pick-up at 10. Barely enough time to go home and return. I might have to find a cafe and sit and knit.
