Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Let's Knit!.....

Knit, knit, knit....I've been doing a fair amount of knitting since the first of the year but not on projects.  I've been working on changing how I knit.  I have always knitted with the yarn on the left which most people would call continental but I'm not sure that is what I was doing.  I really wanted to sped up my knitting a little bit so I can work on larger projects.  So, I decided to take the Craftsy class called "Knit Faster with Continental Knitting".  It has taken me since Christmas to feel slightly comfortable.  The class has you using circular needles which more or less forces you to hold both needles in your hands.  Something I'm not use to doing at all because normally I would prop the left needle on my leg.  I have practiced, practiced, practiced and practiced a little more.  I still can not hold the thread and make the stitch exactly as instructed but I am picking the stitch which is much faster than the left handed throwing that I was doing.  The tension is looking good.  I'm not sure that the continental purling is faster than what I was doing but I keep on practicing.  The purl tension is looking good, too.  Maybe I'm ready to try a project.

Remember the hats that I knitted at Christmas?  I still have one more hat to make.  So, I'm going to attempt to make it with my "new" knitting style.  If it doesn't work out, I will pull it out and knit the way I have always knitted.  I'm hoping that it works out.

Have you tried continental knitting?  Did it work out for you?

Happy Stitching!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Mystery Update...

Winter has arrived in my arrive.  It is a little late but I suppose that is okay.  Since there was plenty of white stuff outside, I decided to sew, sew, sew (there was a little bit of knitting in there too).  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I spent time working on the Week 4 of the Allietare Mystery quilt.  I'm am happy to say week 4 is completed.  Here is my stitching results:


I may have gotten carried away and created one extra set but I suppose that can't really hurt anything. Now, it's on to week 5 which I just finished reading and doesn't look too bad.  Hopefully, it will not take 3 weeks to complete.

I below to an online quilt guild.  I joined because I was curious but after 6 months I've decided to join in the monthly projects.  There is a mini BOM and I purchased the following fabrics:


I'm hoping that the remainder of the fabrics will be stuff from my own stash.  This quilt is suppose to 17" square.  I'm hoping that I actually finish it and that it can decorate the wall in my sewing area.

That's all the sewing I've been doing in the past week or so.

Happy Stitching!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Early Spring Vogue Pattern release.....

I just noticed that Vogue Patterns has the early Spring patterns up.  There appears to be a lot volume in the release.  Sometimes, I like the look of a full skirt but not this round.  Here are my picks;


This is V1494.  It is a Today's Fit pattern by Sandra Betzina.  I'm not so sure about the vest option but I do like the look of the coat.  One thing to note on this pattern, it gives the number of square feet for leather should you want to do that option.


This is V9169.  This is a nice looking pull over top.  The seam detailing is what grabbed my attention.  I could see myself wearing this but in the stripes.


This iv V1469.  It is a Donna Karan design.  I love all the detailing on this dress.  Also, I like the way it has been styled.  I will say that this isn't a pattern I would purchase.  I think it is meant for a little younger crowd than me but I can still admire it.

So, what do you think of the early spring release at Vogue Patterns?  As I stated earlier, there is a lot of volume and I really prefer a straight skirt on me.  The other thing that I noticed was some of the items looked like sacks on the models.  Maybe a belt would make those items look less sack like but I really don't see how that type of top would be flattering on anyone.

Happy Sewing!

Monday, January 4, 2016

The Mystery Quilt Continues....

The Allietere mystery quilt has been revealed.  So, I suppose the mystery has ended for me because I know what I'm making now.  However, I'm still working diligently on the quilt.  I finished week 3 this past Saturday.  Here's my week 1 through week 3 piecing:


Week 3 was fairly easy.  There was a lot of stitching and cutting. This was the gold and neutrals you see in the upper left hand corner.  On to week 4 which looks to be similar to week 2 which was what slowed me down considerable.  Week 2 took about 2 weeks for me to complete.

Happy Sewing!

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Knitted Ear Warmers and Fingerless Gloves....

This is the final December project that I'm sharing.  The ear warmer was started last spring and the gloves were actually started in November.  Here's the finished projects:



I used the Heartland yarn by Lion Brand for both of these items.  The color is Kings Canyon.  The ear warmer is called Intertwined Diamonds Cabled Headband pattern by Demi Knits.  It is a freebie and knitting was very easy.  I picked the glove pattern because it had a similar cable pattern as the ear warmer.  Unfortunately, I was unable to locate where I found the fingerless glove pattern is located.  I thought it was from Ravelry but there are many patterns of this type.   I did have an issue with the gloves and I didn't really figure out how the issue occurred but I did have to recreate the right three times before it was actually a right glove.  The picture doesn't really show the depth of the color of green but it is a really deep, pretty color.

Happy Stitching!

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Knitting Hats....

I'm catching up on projects from December.  I really enjoy knitting.  It is something I do while watching/listening to TV.  I do go to a monthly knit group which is a lot of fun.  Here's the hats I knitted at Christmas:


All three hats were completed from the same pattern - Ribbed Watchman's Hat at Ravelry.  It was very easy to complete.  The blue hat on the left was made with Heartland by Lion Brand, the green and red hats were Wool Spun by Lion Brand.  This was the first time I had used the Wool Spun and I really liked knitting with it.  I guess time will tell about the quality of the yarn but the green hat has been worn almost daily since it was gifted.

If you're looking for a quick ribbed hat, this pattern was a good one.  I do intended to knit one more for charity but I may make more for other charity events.

Happy Stitching!

Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year!

Happy 2016!   I can't believe it is already a new year.  What's a new year without resolutions?  Here are a few that I think I can keep:

1.  Sew more - I'm in the middle of the Alletare mystery quilt.  The reveal happened today but I do intend to finish up.  I'm about 50% finished.  I also intend to make my son a quilt to take along to college.  That will need to be finished by May.  I would also like to make a few things for myself and gifts.

2.  Clean up the sewing room!  Why is it that the sewing area becomes the spot for all the junk?  I'm going to follow along with the 30 Days of Sewing Room Organizing over at Patchwork Posse.  Maybe that will help get things going and I can move back into my sewing area from the basement.

That's it for resolutions.  Do you think that is doable?  I hope it is.  My sewing area is a complete mess right now and I'm not 100% sure how it happened.  Maybe I should add another resolution:  Finish what I start and then clean up when I'm finished.  Is that possible when working quilting and clothing?  Wouldn't they run into each other?  Maybe I should figure out some storage containers that will help contain the mess.

Do you have an sewing related resolutions?

Happy Sewing!