I purchase some absolutely stunning handspun yarn from Studio Pigeon and decided to use it for Dinner in the Eiffel Tower Shawl by Jessie Dodington and I think this yarn paired with this pattern really made the finished garment shine.
Cast off my Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder and this pattern really is versatile and support the boldness and glitter of the yarn I used.
This is a big deal. I purchased a sweater quantity of yarn and just dove into the deep end. The pattern I chose to knit for my very first sweater is actually a cardigan - Neon by Joji Locatelli. I have heard raving reviews about how wonderful Joji's patterns are, especially for beginners and I have to agree with all of them. This pattern, while it doesn't look all that beginner-friendly, was totally doable and I am over the moon about it.
I purchased a beautiful book by Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook called Journey and look forward to knitting up some of the gorgeous patterns from the book.
Finished this month is my Great Divide Shawl by Michele Zatarian. I originally chose a pink for the contrasting border, but after seeing that is seemed to mute all the colours, I chose to rip back and used a bright contrasting orange that I think embodies the spirit of the pattern design in a better way.
Ok so... almost always, after knitting socks, I am left with two small balls of leftover yarn, so when I saw that there was a Monster Sock knit along, I jumped right in to participate. Monster Socks essentially are just a plain stockinette sock but the yarn used is uncoordinated and used, in my case, in a random order to kind of Frankenstein them together. It was pretty cool to see everyone's completely different versions.
If you are familiar with me, you may know that I made a sampler style quilt using Katy Jones' 25 Patchwork Quilt Blocks and when she published volume 2, I had to jump on it.
I cast on two new pairs of socks this month. The first is Garter Rib by Charlene Schurch using Candy Skein's yarn in a Caribbean Cocktail colourway and the second pair I cast on is Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder in The Wacky Windmill's colourway named Scarlet which has glitter in the base :-)
Also, had to hop on Bunny Nuggets by Rebecca Danger and knit up the sweetest little guy with some leftover sock yarn.
I participated in Wild Olive's Winter Seasonal Stich-A-Long which was embroidering adorable characters onto hexagons which when all sewed up together made a delightful table mat.
I soaked and blocked my completed Anastasia Socks by MintyFresh. I like how the diagonal lines continue from the back of the sock to the front in continuity.
After casting off socks, I immediately cast on a new pair. This month I cast on Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman in yarn from Candy Skein called Sugar Snap Pea.
Instead of feeling left out, I opted into a knit-a-long that was very popular and had an interesting twist. This knit-a-long was called Follow Your Arrow Mystery by Ysolda Teague and was a a choose your own adventure style, which meant every participant had ended up with a completed different shawl, with the clues being released every week and the option to chose to knit A or B. It was really fun to take part in.
Another quick project I knit this month is the Upper East Side by Joji Locatelli and it might be my favourite toque ever. The fit is absolutely fantastic. I used a colourway from The Wacky Windmill called Peacock Feathers.
In addition I cast on a new shawl this month called Great Divide Shawl by Michele Zatarian. I chose to use three skeins from The Wacky Windmill in the colourways Teacup Elephant, Cosmic, and Pumpkin Spice.
Cross-stitched the month away and finished my Donut Pals project by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. I thought it was so fun, that I decided that I could make the finished fabric into a project bag, so that it could have function as well! I used up some scraps of fabric and sewed a nice big box bag with a handle. I very much love how it turned out.
I finished knitting my Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku, these glittery babies fit so well and I love having them on my feet.
In other knitting news, I knit a Nightlock shawl by Lisa Mutch in Northbound Knitting yarn in colourways Midnight and ISIS.
New socks on the needles this month are Anastasia Socks by MintyFresh and the yarn I am using is from Candy Skein.
This month I finished up Wild Olive's Fall Seasonal Sitch-A-Long and got a very cute pillow cover out of it!
Tried out some hand-piecing for a potential quilt using some scrap fabric. I found it enjoyable but I struggled a bit using paper. Even the cardstock I used, which was nice and heavy, I just had difficulty with the process. I'm sure practice makes perfect but for now, I might investigate using some light plastic instead of paper and maybe even acrylic templates so I can use my rotary cutter.
I made a second Have It All Wallet by Straight Stitch Society but used a some of the alternative options for fun. This wallet is will be gifted.
I soaked and blocked my Candy Corn socks and they are delightful.
New socks were cast on new socks, which I am using the pattern Paper Moon Socks from Knitty, Deep Fall 2011. I am using a skein from The Wacky Windmill in a colourway called The Hofstadter Insufficiency.
October might be the best month of them all. Here's what I got up to:
Last month I bought a book called 25 Patchwork Quilt Blocks by Katy Jones and I started scheming. With the leftover scraps from my Vintage Bear Paw quilt and the half-square triangle flannel quilt, I started at the beginning of the book and worked my way through the pages until I had done all 25. Then I picked 5 of my favourite blocks and redid the so I had a nice 30 blocks in order to made a fun sampler quilt with all the blocks. I haven't done a quilt like this before and I really loved it.
I finished up my Hummingbird knit socks by Sandi Rosner and good thing, because I had to return this book to the library.
I completed the free motion stippling on my Pow Wow by Cluck Cluck Sew quilt, got the binding on and it's been through the wash and dryer to install the delicious crinkling. I was really nervous that the red would bleed onto the white fabric, but my old way of adding vinegar to the wash must work. Or it was never going to be a problem. We will never know. I am not someone who washed fabric prior to using for quilt. Part 1 because I like how the shrinking makes it even more crinkly, and part 2 because I'm lazy, and I guess there is a part 3 because I had the additional ironing required and never have luck getting straight cuts on stubborn un-unwrinklable fabric. I rest my case.
I cast on a knit an entire pair of socks. This yarn colourway really made knitting these up so enticing. The yarn is absolutely amazing. For starters, its glittery, secondly Halloween themed, the colourway is Goblin by Lynai Yarns and I knit Vanilla Latte Socks which just flew off my needles.
I finished(!) my Horatio and Oren mittens. What I learned. Bamboo based yarn is a bad choice. They are super smooth, silky, and soft but so floppy and not really water repellant. Not sure these will be keepers.
Knit some very bold yarn up and I think I really nailed the yarn/pattern combo here. I knit the colourway Candy Corn by Candy Skein yarn into Pablo Blue socks by Knitting Pixie. Don't the socks actually resemble little candy corns. I was a bit nervous for this high contrast yarn but please as a peach with how the combo worked in my favour.
I knit a shawl start to finish! These gorgeous yarns are Honey and Midnight Mousse from Candy Skein and I knit the pattern Cameo by Paulina Popiolek with them.
Made a quilt sandwich for my Bear Paw quilt, did some free-motion stippling, prepared and did the binding, and it's not off to its new owner, my uncle. I just used this free pattern for the bear paw blocks and improvised the rest of the quilt top.
Started another new cross-stich project. Inspired by the beautiful fall weather and upcoming seasonal festivities, I decided to participate in the Halloween Spooky Sampler by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. I used this gorgeous hand dyed 32 count aida and am totally thrilled with the results.
Made some progress on my current socks which are being knit with yarn from The Wacky Windmill in a colourway called Salt Water Taffy. I am knitting a pattern called Hummingbird from a book called The Knitter's Book of Socks by Clara Parkes, which I borrowed from my local library.
Got another project completed from Aneela Hooey's book Little Stitches, he's the sweetest little fox who has become a needle minder that I was able to assemble using a very strong magnet I found in the auto section of the hardware store.
Received some happy mail that will become future knitting.
I also made some headway on the second mitten for my pair of Horatio and Oren mittens by Barbara Gregory.
Cast on a new pair of socks. This yarn is extremely pleasing and it's my first time using yarn with some ★ glitter ★. I am attempted an asymmetrical toe for fun.
Completed the Summer Stich-A-Long with Wild Olive and the project is seriously the cutest.
Started on a Hitchhiker!
Used Wild Olive's generous free template to embroider a flour sack tea towel. This really brings me joy and brightens up my kitchen.
My mom request that I make a quilt for my uncle. I think, to go more masculine for this one, I ended up purchasing a flannel fat quarter bundle and used a tutorial to create these gorgeous bear paw blocks. Since I had some cutoff scraps, I decided to add sashing and cornerstones and completed the entire top of this quilt. I think it turned out awesome and I am pleased as punch.
May was an incredibly productive crafting month. Here is the run-down.
I bought the book Little Stichesby Aneela Hooey and quickly became enamored with every single detail. This book is amazing and I am thrilled. I sewed and embroidered a little needlebook and a little baggie to hold clothespins and am thrilled with each item.
Also from Aneela Hooey [huge fan over here], I made her Project Book Pouch and immediately put it to use.
I sewed a set of flannel baby blankets and hand crocheted around the edging, when I had my first baby, someone gifted me a used version of this blanket, very pre-loved and it lasted so well and was so very hardy that I reverse engineered the design and have started making my own versions. I find it very fun to pick out the flannel and chose a coordinating or contrasting thread for the crocheted edging. I love challenging myself to come up with creative crochet designs.
These cute teacups got my attention and I decided they had to be stitched up right away. I almost always say yes. Fancy a Cuppa by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.
A huge project, way out of my comfort zone and knowledge circle was a piece of freakin' luggage. That's right. Luggage. This is The Weekender Bag by Amy Butler. Admittedly, the fabric probably wouldn't have been my first choice, but the heavy fabric require was a out of my budget and because there is a decent amount of notions required, I chose the lesser of all the evils from a hugely discounted section of the store. I can not believe I successfully made this durable, useable, perfect bag. The lining, the pockets, the heavy duty zipper, and even the Pellon interface stuff that is very stiff.
Cast on a new pair of socks this month.
Sewed a little Coffee Mug Rug and learned how to paper piece, a bit of a learning curve, but I can see how it opens up so much in terms of sewing.
Got even more miles on my sewing machine by whipping up a SockSack by Ramona Rose. I already love how this sock sack keeps my yarn from getting tangled. Probably my favourite feature is the snap buttons to feed the working yarn through.
Still cross-stitching away and completed my whole darn Fruit of the Month project! All done! Finished! The end! It was highly enjoyable and gives me a lot of joy when I see it hanging in my kitchen. Since I completed that project, I immediately planned another. This adorable little sampler is Insects by Johanna Masko.
Cast on and finished a one skein project which is a darling shawl called Marin by Ysolda
After assembling my Pow Wow quilt by Cluck Cluck Sew last month, I was left with a bunch of miniature half triangle scraps. Without a plan or real idea, I started sewing the scraps together. By adding sashing between the blocks I had sewed, I was able to come up with a decent sized quilt. I called it Girl's Best Friend because of the diamond squares.
Knit and finished some plain stockinette socks in a fun colour called Swamp Fox by The Wacky Windmill
I completed a whole entire bag with interfacing, a lining, a zipper and I'm beyond pleased with it. The bag is The Art Student Tote by Anna Maria [Check out her AMAZING quilt patterns]
Acquire some very exciting new skeins of Yarn from Candy Skein
I decided to just sew a Happy Birthday banner that can be reused. We celebrate A LOT of birthdays in my house. And they seem to happen every year for some reason ;-)
Made some marmalade (!), I've never canned anything before in my life but learned everything I know from Food in Jars. I even bought Marisa McClellan's first cookbook. The recipe I used from the cookbook is Three Citrus Marmalade which uses oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Kind of weird that I chose to make marmalade because it's not something I've ever enjoyed, but I happen to have a huge mixed box of oranges and grapefruits. I was quite shocked how amazingly delicious the marmalade turned out.
Worked on my Fruit of the Month cross-stitch project and completed July and August.
Finished cutting fabric and sewed a while pile of half-square triangles AND sewed the entire top together for my Pow Wow quilt by Cluck Cluck Sew
This month I tried wet felting with a super cute slipper pattern by Tiny Owl Knits called Hopsalot using some Wacky Windmill yarn.
Finished knitting my Van Dyke Socks by Wendy D. Johnson. Loving the purple.
Got finished with the month of June on my Fruit of the Month cross-stitch by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.
Finished hand-quilting a little quilt in a postage stamp style with sashing. Made with a cherry themed fat quarter fabric bundle from Pink Castle Fabrics.
Started cutting fabric for a quilt for a pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew. The fabric I chose is a fabulous bundle from designer Laura Gunn and features poppies.
Stitched up Latte Love by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.
Sewed up a little kindle case with adorable hedgehogs.
Started knitting a new pair of socks yarn is Handsome Fibres, in a colour called Last Revenge. The pattern I used is Van Dyke Socks by Wendy Knits.
I started a new cross-stitch project. This super cute pattern is Fruit of the Month by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery, originally it was a pattern that released each month but I did not discover it until it was too late, so have just been working along at my own pace.
Cast on a new project called the Honey Cowl by Madeline Tosh. The yarn is from The Wacky Windmill and the colour is called Spring Mix.
I started cutting fabric for a new quilt project, finished my first ever pair of socks by blocking them in Soak Wash.
I finally took the plunge after lusting over everyone's knit socks and taught myself using Socks from the Toe-up by Wendy Knits. I purchased fingering weight yarn from The Wacky Windmill in the colourway Creek Bank. The pattern I chose for my first sock knitting attempt is a pattern from the book called Lacy Ribs Socks.
There was a lot of progress made and a happy finish to a quilt that has been a long time in the works. This quilt was made with fabric that my mother picked up at fabric stores alone the way when out on motorcycle trips. I followed the tutorial for the pattern Modern Plus by In Color Order. Instead of my usual preference for free-motion stippling, and the squares laid out a perfect grid, I decided to quilt this using a freehand version of an orange peel and I am ecstatic with the result.
During this month, I took some time and sewed myself a little notions pouch using some stash fabric, I used the pattern Open-wide zippered Pouch by Noodlehead.
I decided to make a little lap quilt as a gift and knowing the recipient loves the soft feel of flannel, I decided to purchase a little layer cake fabric bundle. Since there was a bit of a time crunch, the layer cake was perfect to whip up some half square triangles and an entire quilt top in almost no time at all. The gift has been given and was very well received.
I finished up a colourful quilt that was also a gift and a bit of a rush order as well, so chose a relatively simple bar pattern. It was a natural fit to quilt this one by simply following the lines and it came together really quickly.
As treat, I cross-stitched my way through December with a super cute little Kawaii Winter Wonderland by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.
