Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Socks and Quilts

Here is a picture of my most recent sock. I am calling it the Yellowstone sock because I worked on it while on my trip to Yellowstone. The pattern is the Lichen Ribbed sock from the Nancy Bush book, Knitting Vintage Socks. I am using Tofutsie sock yarn on 2.25mm needles.

This is the second time I have made this pattern and I really like the way it turns out, although I am not that crazy about the pearl 3 together that needs to be done on the toes. The toe feels great when it is done, but that is a hard stitch to do! The heel is called the welsh heel and is pretty easy to do and fits and looks good.

On a quilting front I have been working on the Washington Medallion quilt. I absolutely love this quilt! The pattern is by Sue Garman and it is being offered as a block of the month from Homestead Hearth in 2 different color ways. I have chosen to do it mine in chocolates and pinks. Now people who know me well are probably wondering how it's going for me with others choosing my fabrics. I know I am a bit persnickety and opinionated about such things, but I have to say I have only had to make a few substitutions so far.

Here it is with the checkerboard row being planned. I really hated that the pattern had us strip piece (YUCK!!) I should have followed my own instincts here, but tried to be a good pattern follower. For me, not only is it less accurate to strip piece, but it also far too uniform looking for my tastes. I have spent more time ripping apart my strip sets to fix fabric placements than it would have taken me to just cut squares and create 4 patches. OH well, it is almost done and I think that the finished round will look good.

I have also been busy working on my Charleston Harbor quilt, my Cabbage Rose blocks and my Foxtail sweater, so I should have more pictures to come, as well as pictures of our trip to Yellowstone.