Monthly Archives: January 2013

Sock Progress

Second Sock

Second Sock

I thought it was time I got on with the second sock!

The knitting is quite handy because I can do it anywhere – at the pool, waiting for the girls to finish their craft sessions (today they’re making a Superhero at our local library), standing in yet another queue somewhere.

I’m very keen to get this sock finished, so I can start on this yarn. I have a stitch pattern in mind – Eyelet Mock Cable Ribbing (it is from the latest Sockupied magazine). I’ve set myself a schedule – today I need to finish the leg. I don’t have a lot of time at the moment, it’s school holidays, or more correctly I seem to be wasting what time I have.

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Pineapple Quilt Block

Pineapple Block being digitised

Pineapple Block being digitised

I’ve started work on the Pineapple Block and it has proven to be a little bit tricky, but on the plus side I’ve learnt a few things about Embird.

This little magic tool

Transformation Tool in Embird Studio

Transformation Tool in Embird Studio

allows you to specify the length and width (exactly) of objects – no more using the grid to create the right size.

And you can use Guide Lines to split objects that is how I chopped the top off the outer most triangles.

Using Guide Lines

Using Guide Lines

That way I just created one triangle and copy, pasted and rotated as required – much more accurate.

My one concern is the non-straight seams and how easy they will be to stitch and flip.

Is this going to be too tricky?

Is this going to be too tricky?

I have another design in mind that only has straight seams it might  be worth changing now before I have committed too much time.

On a completely different note, it is Australia Day and my pavlova is cooling in the oven. I think I am prepared.

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Courthouse Steps Mark 2

Second Version of Courthouse Steps

Second Version of Courthouse Steps

I think this is better than the last one – it came together quickly, which is handy in the school holidays!

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Courthouse Steps Quilt Block

Courthouse Steps Version 1

Courthouse Steps Version 1

This is the first attempt at the Courthouse Steps block. One of the seams isn’t quite right and I think I can fit another step in on the flowery steps.

It came together easily, so easily I might try a Pineapple Quilt Block next (like one of the ones below) …

Pineapple Quilt Block from quilting.about.com

Pineapple Quilt Block from quilting.about.com

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Finished Sock

One Finished Sock

One Finished Sock

I finished one sock! I do like the magic loop method. Now to get the second sock finished!

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Courthouse Steps Block Foundation Piecing

Courthouse Steps - Stitched out view in Embird

Courthouse Steps – Stitched out view in Embird

I spent a bit of time today working on a new design – it looks a bit like a dog’s breakfast, but it should stitch out like this …

CourthouseImage

Nicer fabrics obviously.

Digitising things with straight lines is very easy in Embird Studio – there is a tool for it and things snap to the grid.

We went to the WA Museum today to see this ..

Wedding

Well worth seeing if you’re in Perth – photography wasn’t allowed so I have no images to show you.

 

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Finished Four Snail Trail Blocks

Four Snail Trail Blocks

Four Snail Trail Blocks

Surprisingly I finished my two blocks. It did take to 5:30pm, but we visited our neighbours and had a swim – perfect day.

Next up Courthouse Steps!

I’ve been watching The Buccaneers (it was a Christmas present). I’m enjoying it – it’s beautiful, lots of people behaving badly (very aristocratic) with not much to do, but have love affairs. Definitely worth watching if you like ‘bonnet dramas’.

The Bucaneers

The Buccaneers

 

 

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Snail Trail is Moving at a Snail’s Pace

Snail Trail in Progress - Pieced in the hoop using an embroidery machine

Snail Trail in Progress – Pieced in the hoop using an embroidery machine

I’m back onto foundation piecing using my embroidery machine, but it is progressing very slowly. It usually takes about half an hour to make one block, but today I started at 9:30 am and it is now 1pm and I’m only half way through – we did walk to the library (and booked into some school holiday activities) and buy groceries. My plan of getting two blocks finished today might be unreachable.

My aim is to make 12 traditional blocks (each one consisting of 4 smaller blocks) and then to make a sampler quilt. So far I have Hour Glass, Flying Geese and Snail Trail. I have also made a log cabin block, but it might not be the standard size (must remember to check that). Next up is Courthouse steps (just a fancy Log Cabin).

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Asymmetric Cables Version 3

Another Attempt At Asymmetric Cables

Another Attempt At Asymmetric Cables

Once again an astute observer would notice that the above is a plain sock and not an asymmetric sock – this pattern kicked my bottom!

I kept getting in a muddle – cable needle at the front (oh no it should have been at the back!) you know how it goes. I really couldn’t focus and as it is school holidays I’m not sure quite what I was thinking. This plain sock is coming together nicely and I think I could probably knit it in my sleep. The heel flap is in heel stitch, but otherwise it is just a plain vanilla sock.

We’ve been away on holiday – here – it was hot and some of the beaches were closed because of sharks (you can read about it here), but I feel like I’ve had a break.

I took this photo on my run …

Dunsborough 2013

Dunsborough 2013

 

It was lovely to run along the coast and along bush tracks.

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