Some finished blocks!
I finally found some motivation to get on with my sampler quilt. Both of my girls were really keen to make pencil cases in the holidays and I think a simple sewing project reignited my interest in sewing.
I have decided that I am going to quilt each block independently – quilting as you go – like here. I’m hoping this approach has two advantages; first, it is physically easier to maneuver around my sewing machine and secondly, it will just feel less overwhelming.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery, miscellaneous
Sewwitty’s 2014
This year I finished a few sampler blocks – but not the entire quilt, two wraps (Denim Wrap and Hitchiker), a pair of socks and learnt how to crochet.
This year my New Year’s resolution was to do less and just be – several people I know have terminal illnesses and I think it might be time to just enjoy life without rushing from one thing to another always trying to do more, be more etc. This means I am hoping to spend more time pottering about with craft – but no rushing to the end I’m just going to enjoy the process.
Filed under Crochet, Foundation Blocks, Knitting, Sock Knitting
Sewwitty’s Plain Sock
My copy of Downton Abbey series 5 arrived, which meant there was a lot of sitting on the sofa time knitting. I just love the costumes …
I have turned the heel, picked up stitches and now I am decreasing back to the original number. I always feel that I am almost finished when I get to this point.
Sewwitty’s Pineapple block
I’ve also finished three of the above blocks! I’ve worked out that it is better to do a little bit, go off and do something else, a little bit more etc.
Filed under Foundation Blocks, Knitting, Sock Knitting
A Life in Stitches – Rachael Herron
I like what I am going to call craft memoirs – like this one or this one – I read about A Life in Stitches somewhere (ravelry maybe) and ordered it from the book depository.
Here is the description …
In these 20 heartfelt essays, Rachael Herron celebrated romance novelist by day, 911 dispatcher by night, and founder of the hugely popular blog Yarnagogo.com shows how when life unravels there’s always a way to knit it back together again, many times into something even better. Honest, funny, and full of warmth, Herron’s tales, each inspired by something she knit or something knit for her, will speak to anyone who has ever picked up a pair of needles. From her very first sweater (a hilarious disaster, to say the least) to the yellow afghan that caused a breakup (and, ultimately, a breakthrough), every piece has a moving story behind it. This beautifully crafted and candid collection is perfect for the knitter who loves to read and the reader who loves to knit.
This is a very personal account of knitting and various different life events – some sad and some funny. I found it entertaining, fascinating, thought provoking and occasionally sad. I’m quite nosy I like to know details about people’s lives – not in a malicious way I’m just interested in how people live. Accordingly, I found this glimpse into Ms Herron’s life compelling.
Another review …
http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingmemoir/fr/A-Life-In-Stitches.htm
Filed under Book Review
Bits and Pieces
I went away for the weekend to Melbourne – very decadent. While there, I visited my favourite shop L’uccello. The fat quarters in the above pictures are from there – I had to include the bag in the photo because it is such fun.
The yarn is from Hawthorn Cottage Yarns – they had a stall at the markets at the art gallery.
I have quite a few ideas – now I just have to get on and make something.
Filed under Fabric Stash, Inspiration, Yarn Stash
Plain Vanilla Sock
While trudging my way through the Denim Wrap I was very keen to start knitting another pair of socks, but I was determined to finish one project before I started another (I feel quite smug that I manage to do that). Anyway, I decided I am just going to get started and see where this yarn leads – so far it is top-down and a K2P2 rib.
The yarn is Hungry Hungry Dystopos from Indigodragonfly – let’s not think about the air miles involved in that journey!
Check out my new double points! From here – I bought them for myself as a birthday present.
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting, Yarn Stash
Wrap Blocking
I finished! It is my blue jean wrap.
This was a lovely pattern – easy to remember and quite relaxing. I used a Jo Sharp Aran cotton (I don’t knot the colour – it was unlabelled).
Now I plan on knitting socks – pattern yet to be decided.
Filed under Knitting
Log Cabin block finished
I finished another block – only four more to go. I am not sure what is keeping me going on this project – sheer bloody mindedness? – Because I have had enough! I’m over all of my choices, but I am determined to push on and get it finished. I have such plans for when this is finished. I bought beautiful fabric at the Liberty store and I want to use it.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Machine Embroidery
Yarn: Remembering the Way Home -Kyoko Mori
I don’t know how I came across this book. I was looking for something like Knitting Philosophy or Knitting Lifestyle. Possibly it came up as a suggestion from Amazon based on other books I have read.
Here is the blurb …
A memoir of crossing cultures, losing love, and finding home by a New York Times notable author. As steadily and quietly as her marriage falls apart, so Kyoko Mori’s understanding of knitting deepens. From flawed school mittens to beautiful unmatched patterns of cardigans, hats and shawls, Kyoko draws the connection between knitting and the new life she tried to establish in the U.S. Interspersed with the story of knitting throughout, the narrative contemplates the nature of love, loss, and what holds a marriage together.
This book is a memoir about one woman coming to terms with her mother’s suicide, her father’s indifference, a new country (and culture), marriage and dissolving a marriage. And it’s about knitting. Often Ms Mori uses knitting as a metaphor to describe some relationship in her life. For example,
While I had been working to expand my social circle, he had been trying to make his smaller. If my ideal life was a big Fair Isle sweater his was a white linen handkerchief.
She is a solitary person who spends a lot of time thinking (and knitting). It is a quiet story that unfolds slowly, but brutally honest. When her father died without a word to her – she finally realised …
A part of me wanted to believe that Michiko [her step mother] had kept us from having at least one honest conversation. Okiyo-san’s story put an end to this sorry delusion. My father had plenty of time to say his last word to the people he cared about. I wasn’t one of them.
Her writing is beautiful – simple and elegant. This book is for anyone not just knitters, but knitters will especially enjoy it. There is even a section at the end about knitting books.
Another review …
http://www.theitofknit.com/recent-posts/book-review-yarn-remembering-the-way-home-by-kyoko-mori.html
Filed under Book Review
Log Cabin Quilt Block
This project is holding me back (my Sampler quilt) – I have to make myself work on it. I have finished two of these blocks, so only two more to go and then I have another 4 full sized blocks to make; Pineapple, Pinwheel, Snail Trail and Wedding Ring.
Each full sized block takes about 4 hours to make, so fiddly, and I no longer like my fabric choice. But I feel I should push on because I have already spent so much time on it.
Filed under Digitizing, Foundation Blocks, Patchwork
