mrsquilt knits

Weekend Away

2012-02-05T12:43:00.001-07:00

Last weekend OJ and I got away for a few days when we took a 3 night cruise to Ensenada. We had a great time even though it was a short trip. Aside from a few great pictures, a bottle of tequila, some vanilla and a new leather bag, I also brought home a fantastic cold. Hard to say if I picked up the bug on the ship, the shuttle bus or the airplane, but I got it in spades. My head is finally clearing up so I thought I would post some pictures of some more finished items up.

This bag was knit my niece years ago, in fact she was still in high school and now she is 21. Anyway, it was her first knitting project and she asked me to bind off and felt it for her - well like 4 years later I finally got it done. It is a beautiful bag and I can't wait to finally give it to her.

These socks were started a couple of years ago. The pattern is Anniversary socks from the book Interweaves 25 favorite socks. The yarn is Nature's pallet and they were knit on size 1s with 64 stitches cast on. I absolutely love the color of this yarn, it has so much depth and the feel is wonderful.
I am working on another pair of UFO socks - so if I can keep up this pace I should have another pair ready to share soon! Hopefully next weekend my stuffy head will be gone and I can get back in my sewing room.

Productive Week

2012-01-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

I was able to finish a few more items this week.

A few years ago at the AQG quilt show I starting collecting java themed fabrics to decorate my family room/kitchen area. Last year I made this table runner.

Last weekend I finally finished the coordinating table cloth and quilt for my side table.

The little quilt for the side table was made using charm squares and the little twister tool. Here are some pictures I took while I was making it, it really is a fun and quick project.

I also went out and found the perfect buttons for the red sweater I finished last weekend thanks to Todd at Jessica Knits I was being particularly fussy and was ready to give it up when Todd pulled out these perfect buttons - love them!

Hopefully I will have more finished photos to share soon!

2012 is here!

2012-01-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is my first post of 2012. I hope that everyone's Christmas was as wonderful and blessed as mine was this year. Emily came home for Christmas and brought her boyfriend Geoff for us all to meet.

This year I made everyone matching pajama pants to wear. The family were all good sports about the whole thing and even smiled in the picture - after all it was all about the picture anyway. Of course we know that I am a pretty darn good quilter and an OK knitter, but I am NOT a seamstress. But thankfully my Mom is and as always she came to help me sew these things together. Why in the world do we have to make such huge seam allowances? Oh well, they are done, they all fit and no one cried, LOL.

Like everyone else I am starting the year off with big ideas and plans about finishing all my UFOs. Well not ALL of them, I may not live long enough for that, but I would like to make a serious dent in the pile. So far I have finished 2 sweaters and a dish cloth, all projects that were started eons ago.

It feels really good to get things done, hopefully I will have lots more finished projects to add as the year goes on. Happy 2012 everyone........

Almost done!

2011-09-05T17:38:00.001-07:00

Had a busy weekend of sewing....first I made this little tote bag. It is the third time I've made this pattern, the little charmer. Just need to find that perfect button for the pocket, I have visions of a dark wooden one.

Spent most of Saturday helping a gal from the poker club pick out fabrics for quilts for her niece and nephew. We hit 3 shops and had lunch. Of course I had to buy a new Miss Rosie's pattern and a charm pack and some osenberg fabric, all for different projects. LOL

Then yesterday, I worked on my Washington Medallion. The only thing I have left now is to add the last small border. I have a brown already picked out for it, but I want to see if I can get more of it to bind in also. Also, OJ didn't love it and he typically has a good eye for these things, so I am going to look around and see what else is out there first.

Spent over an hour searching for a cloth tape measure last night, did a pretty job of cleaning up my sewing room during my search only to have Nathan find it for me in the front room, LOL

I am many weeks behind on my Jo Morton block of the week, so I got one of those done also. All in all a very busy weekend.

Sunday Update

2011-07-31T16:28:00.007-07:00

Last night we took OJ to PF Change for his birthday dinner with his parents and sister. It was really fin and the food and service were wonderful as usual. The only downside was that we were a party of 11 without a reservation and had to sit on the patio unless we wanted to wait about an hour and a half. It was pretty darn hot, but still a good time.

Finished my pieced borders for the Washington Medallion today. I love the way they turned out. The blocks do not have white centers like it looks like in the picture. Those are post it notes with the block position so I can keep everything in order. Next week I hope to get the top all done!

Here is a picture of the my progress on the Hexacomb Sweater.

And one final picture, this is a bag that I made for my friend Judy. She was gracious enough to gift me her crazy quilting supplies and stash in return for my help in finishing up this little bag for her. I pretty sure I got the best end of this deal! Thanks again Judy :)

Washington Medallion Progress

2011-07-24T15:46:00.003-07:00

I have been busily working on my my pink and brown Washington Medallion quilt. I have finally completed all of the blocks and pinwheels.

I have also cut out all the setting triangles, so now I just have to put it all together. I am pretty excited about the way it is all coming together and even have a spot to hang it all picked out.

On the knitting front, I have completed the bottom part of the back on my hexacomb sweater and started the right front. The body is knitted from the bottom up all in one piece, then I'll go back and add sleeves. I love the yarn I am working with, it is so soft and has a wonderful drape.

My Fun Friday quilt group is going on retreat in a couple of weeks, I hope to get lots of quilting done while we are there, I already have a few projects picked out to take with me.

Nathan wanted me to add a counter to my blog, so I did - so far he is not very impressed by the number of hits I get, LOL - maybe I should try posting more often.

Ready to knit!

2011-05-26T11:50:00.002-07:00

I am nearly done with the sleeves on a very heavy wool sweater. Since I live in Phoenix and summer is fast approaching, I decided to set it aside and start a new lighter project.

This sweater should be prefect year round since I work in an overly air conditioned office.

Totally twisted fun!

2011-05-22T15:56:00.003-07:00

Wow, it has been over a year since I last posted, that is pretty bad. Oh well, here goes an update anyway. My Mom and I were out shopping and she bought a great new tool called a twist it ruler. Of course I had to use it first, LOL

So it is a great tool for using scraps, charm packs, etc. I had several charms left over from the my table runner and table cloth and I decided to use them to try out the new tool.

First I made a quick and simple top, using 24 charms and 3 inch borders

After that is done you place the template on the quilt and start cutting out little squares. It was kind of scary, but here is what it looks like when you are cutting up your little quilt....

Then you sew all the new little blocks back together and this little cutie is what you get. I love it!

EQ7 Contest

2010-05-04T07:41:00.002-07:00

Congrats to my friend Mary who won a copy of the new EQ7 software. She is sharing her good fortune by having a contest on her blog. The prize you ask - EQ7, of course.

I have been designing quilts on graph paper with colored pencils and a calculator for years, but maybe it is time for me to learn to do it on the computer. Of course, should I be lucky enough to win, Mary may have to give me a few lessons :)

So jump on over to Mary's blog and follow the instructions to enter her contest.

http://mequilter.blogspot.com/2010/05/exciting-news-eq7-give-away.html

Socks Done

2010-02-03T13:03:00.002-07:00

I finished a pair of socks already this year. They are my undulating rib socks. I love the way they turned out!

Currently on my needles is a scarf - almost done.
More later.

Undulating Rib Update

2010-01-05T18:02:00.003-07:00

I have just completed the heel on sock number one - yeah!!! I decided to do the eye of the partridge stitch on the heel instead of standard one the pattern calls for. I like the looks of this stitch much better and it is so easy to do.

This week is shaping up to be a busy one. Zac has a very busy calendar, which makes me very busy too. Last night we had scouts, tonight is basketball, more scouts tomorrow and I think maybe more basketball on Thursday - yikes. The only up side to this whole mess is that I can get some knitting done while I sit and wait.

Undulating Rib Socks

2009-12-27T17:57:00.006-07:00

We had a really nice Christmas this year, I hope you all did too!

I have started a new sock project. It is the undualting rib socks by Ann Budd from the book Favorite Socks.

I am using Opal Cotton yarn and size 1 needles.

I just cast these on yesterday, the pattern is pretty easy to memorize and seems to be knitting up quick.

Socks and Quilts

2009-06-02T11:53:00.003-07:00

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.

Update time

2009-04-29T12:04:00.004-07:00

Hi all!! I have my last class tonight and then I am officially finished with school - YEAH!!!!
I have managed to get a little sewing in lately. I have finished 2 more of my Mother Earth blocks, several more Charleston harbor blocks and started on my Washington Medallion quilt. I have included pictures of the Mother Earth blocks.

I changed the layout for the block on top. I think it was originally intended to be an anvil, but I wanted a star instead, so I made it into a star.
I will have more pictures to come as soon as I unpack my camera. We moved last month and most of my life is still in boxes in the garage, so hopefully since I am done with school, I might actually have time to unpack now.

Well, that's it for now. I promise more pictures will be coming soon. Also, my friend Mary sent some instructions for linking posts together on my blog, so I will be playing with that soon too.

Charleston Harbor Update

2009-02-05T15:11:00.008-07:00

I am working on another block of the month quilt and just got caught up with the rounds today. I am home from work with a head cold so spent a little time puttering in my sewing room between naps.

I did not care for the what the pattern called for as the next round so I made up my own, go figure huh? Where I have hour glass blocks and a checkerboard border, the pattern called for a chain block (double 4 patch) and flying geese. It reminded me of a picket fence, so I changed it up.

Here is a close up of my revised round. As I worked on this I have come up with new ideas for the rest of the quilt too. I always think of patterns as merely suggestions to how the quilt could be made and not stead fast rules.

Chocolat Progress

2009-01-20T14:56:00.003-07:00

Well, I finally got the churn dash round added to this and now I am not sure if I want to add the next round. While it is true that I am quite sick to death of this project, I also feel like I do not want this any wider.

Another round will put this close to the floor. Maybe I should leave it for a bit and I might feel differently, but right now I feel done.

Mother Earth Slideshow

2009-01-19T08:40:00.003-07:00

These are the blocks from the Cabbage Rose block of the month. Several of us in my quilt group are working on this, and when we saw the wonderful fabrics, my friend Jane thought the best name for this quilt was Mother Earth, which has stuck with me. I have made a few fabric switches along the way, but overall I have been very happy with what have received. If I can figure out how to keep this on the front page, I will keep adding my blocks as they are finished.

More Foxtail Progress

2009-01-18T05:58:00.003-07:00

I know what you're thinking, it is probably the same thing that I am thinking, "what is this blob of curled up mess?" Well it supposed to be the bottom of my sweater. It is 272 stitches and it is going to take me a very long time to get finished. This is a week's progress.

I really like the way it is coming out so far, so I will continue to plug away on it.

Now this is another mess. It is an adorable little sweater vest for a baby boy, but look at the neck as compared to the arm hole. Aren't newborn heads about the size of a grapefruit? Well this neck wouldn't fit a lemon. Once I saw that this was not turning right, I looked it up on Ravelry and yes, many people had the same problem. Some tore it all out and made the opening bigger, I am not feeling that motivated, plus the little recipient was born on Wednesday, so I do not have the luxury of time here. The most common remedy seems to be to leave one should seam open and add buttons, so that is my plan. So, I only have to rib the arm holes and sew up the side seams, sounds easy enough, but remember I am really a sock knitter and we don't do things like sew seams :)

After reading my friend Mary's blog I learned that there are places on the web where you can get backgrounds for your blog, so I went out and got this one, what do you think? I like it.

More Later

Foxtail progess

2009-01-03T16:39:00.003-07:00

This is my newest project. It is the Foxtail sweater from the Tapestry book by Rowan. I am using the Tapestry yarn in color 177.

So far I have completed the top sleeve section. Once I unroll the edges, the fit seems to be pretty good.

Here is a close up of the stitches. The yarn is a little splitty and has thin areas followed by very fluffy sections, but overall I like the feel and the stripes it produces. It took 4 balls to complete the this top section and so far none of the balls have had any knots, which is my pet peeve.

A friend of mine is expecting a baby early this month, so I should really set this project aside and get back to the little sweater vest I started knitting.

I went out and finally got my hair cut today, you can't really see it very well in the above picture, but I think it will be a good "do" for me.

More later!

Lunch with good friends

2008-12-28T06:10:00.010-07:00

The First Friday Quilt group gathered for our 2nd annual Christmas lunch and fabric swap. We met at Paradise Bakery and then went to the quilt shop to see how much damage we could do during their after Christmas sale. It was a great day. Clock wise around the table we have Aleta, Judy, Zac, Kathy, Jane, Mary, Me and Sue.

Kathy C was snapping the above picture, so here she is with Aleta and Judy.

a special thanks to Mary, I grabbed these pictures from her blog.

Finally Posting

2008-12-06T06:32:00.011-07:00

I know it has been a LONG time since my last post, but I have actually finished knitting a few things and even made a quilt this year.

This is a sweater I made for a friend of mine at work, her baby's name is Azrielle.

Our neighbors had a sweet new baby girl this fall and this one was made for her.

I didn't get a picture of her wearing it, but Zac's Mr Monkey makes a good model.

These were both made using DreamBaby DK by plymouth. It is a very soft yarn and can be machine washed and dried, great for baby things and busy moms.

Here is Nathan's quilt.

The pattern was called gumball, we call this one the blob of blue quilt. Nathan loves it, although he is not that crazy about posing for pictures :)

My Pink Conwy Socks

2007-11-12T06:01:00.000-07:00

OK, I know that it has been a long time since I have updated this blog, but it has taken me almost 5 months to finally finish these socks. The pattern is Conwy from Nancy Bush's book, Knitting on the Road. It is a beautful pattern, but not the quickest to knit.

I used Tofutsie sock yarn and size 1 bamboo needles. My cast on was 72

Completed Horcrux

2007-06-09T15:53:00.001-07:00

Finished these up over the memorial day weekend. The came out a little snug, but otherwise I really like the pattern.

Horcrux Progress

2007-04-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

I cast on for these last night, this pattern is great. It is called Horcrux socks and it is the pattern of the month on the Six Sox list

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Six_Sox_K nitalong/
This is the yarn pictured below. I have had a couple of people ask about it. It is called griffindor 2nd year and I got it from
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=52610
I am about half way through the heel flap, hope to be able to get the gusset done tonight.

Hiking Socks

2007-04-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

These are hiking/camping socks for Nathan. I was shocked to discover that my 11 year old son has bigger feet than me, geesh he is growing up way to fast. These should keep his feet good warm this summer while we are camping at the Grand Canyon.

Here are the details. Yarn is Lion Brand Magic Stripes, Needles are size 2 Brittany Birch and I cast on 56 stitches, ribbed for about 2 inches and then just a plain old stockinette stitch the rest of the way.

I was not that wild about the yarn. I bought it a few years ago when it first came out and everyone was very excited over it. It's fine for a pair of socks that are probably going to take some abuse, but it is not yarn I would purchase again. I think I have another ball or 2 in my stash and they are now designated as "boys camping" socks.

I think that my next project is going to be the Horcrux socks from the Six Sox group. I got this fabulous yarn just for them.

Spring is here

2007-03-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well I was finally able to find some darn batteries for my camera. Of course, I had to pilfer them from the TV remote.

Why is it there are always enough batteries for the kids' game junk and never any for Mom, hmmmm...

OK enough whinning :)

These are my Spring Petticoat socks. They were made using Opal petticoat, as always the Opal was wonderful to work with. The pattern is called Sixth Sense and was the pattern of the month last year with the Six_Sox_Knitalong. I used size bamboo needles.

This pattern called for a garter stitch short row heel, which I really enjoyed working.

It also has a garter stitch toe, which is just adorable and looks perfect with the heel.

Currently on my needles is a plain jane stockinette sock using Lion Brand Magic stripes.

Gentleman's Fancy

2007-02-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

I am in love with another yarn. Trekking XXL, this was wonderful to work with and the colors are fabulous. I started these 2 weeks ago and finished them up today. The pattern is from the Nancy Bush book, Knitting Vintage Socks. I used 2.25mm bamboo needles. I cast on 72 stitches, and the socks are a bit loose, but not so much that I have to give them up :)

Now to deiced what to knit next................My sock yarn stash is growing by leaps and bounds, which I will not feel guilty about. I just purchased some Opal Smoke from a gal that was detashing and am trying to think up the perfect pattern to use.

I also have some Lornas Laces that have been sitting in the yarn cupboard for far too long. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

Tofutsies

2007-02-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

I picked up this new yarn by SWTC and so far I am really liking it. I am using a pattern from the Nancy Bush book, Knitting Vintage Socks. It is called the Lichen ribbed sock. The needles are size 1 crystal palace bamboo. This is first time that I have used Welsh heel, it worked up very nicely. The pattern also uses a Star Toe, which I don't think I have done before, so that will be fun too. I really think I am ready to try new techniques in my sock knitting, so this has been a great project so far. I noticed that the patterning on the yarn is a little different with each section of sock. The stripes are kind of diagonal on the leg, the colors seemed to me to pool around the heel and the foot is just straight stripes. I hope my other sock does the same thing.

I am really itching to start some new socks out of a brown trekking yarn that I snatched out of my Mom's stash. The color matches a pair of slacks that I have perfectly and would look great to wear to work, so these may be put on the back burner for a bit.

Whitby's done

2007-01-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure if I was going to like these as I was working on them, but of course now that they are done, I love them.

My next knitting project is going to be fingerless mittens. I have not completely settled on a pttern yet, but am hoping to cast on tonight.

Zac has also requested red socks. He has chosen a pattern and now I have to set out on a quest for the perfect red yarn. More later............

Whitby started

2007-01-05T05:03:00.000-07:00

I have started another sock from Nancy Bush's book Knitting on the Road. I am using Sockenwoole yarn and 2.75mm needles. I am not that wild about the yarn. It is 20% wool, 20% polyamid and 60% acrylic. It just does not feel as nice to work with as yarns that have a larger wool content. It does knit up nicely and I have the feeling it will make a sturdy pair of socks.

The socks themselves are very pretty, I really love the pattern and was able to memorize it right away, but they are coming out a little tighter than I like. I tried them on and they fit, but if my calf gets any bigger I am sunk......

Speaking of big calves, I am planning on joining weight watchers again and trying to lose this 20 pounds I gained in 2006.

Denmarks finally done

2006-12-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Finally, how many months later the Denmarks are done. The pattern was great and really knit up quickly once I got time to sit down and knit them. I absolutley love this yarn and the beautiful colors.

Denmark Sock Progress

2006-04-03T05:23:00.000-07:00

I cast on for the Denmark sock from the Nancy Bush book, Knitting on the Road. I am using Nature's Palette and size 3 DPN's. This yarn is so pretty. I was knitting at the park, while my boys ran wild, and the yarn really sparkles in the sun. I will take my next picture outside. The pattern is great, I learned a new stitch called the Nub stitch and with the wonderful illustrations and directions it was a snap to do. I always love to do cables, they are really not difficult and look very impressive.

First Post

2006-02-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

Here it is, my first post. Who am I and why should you read my blog? Well, first I am a mom and a wife, everything else is subject to change. Sometimes I am a quilter, a knitter, a career minded accountant. I am almost always crabby, but hopefully in a loveable way. I spend too much time palying online poker, but at least I can knit at the same time.

Here is a picture of the project I did for the knitting olympics.

I acheived a silver medal, because I changed projects mid stream. My original project was to be socks, however Mr. Zachary (my youngest) decided he wanted a beanie. Hey whatever the Zac miester wants. Enough babbling for now, more nonesense later, I promise.