A bit of crafting progress
It’s Wednesday, and the wind is still blowing a hoolie, courtesy of Storm Gareth. I’m getting a tad fed up with it. I have a few outside jobs I want to do, but they don’t lend to everything blowing around. Never mind. There is always a silver lining. A good excuse to stay in and get on with indoor jobs instead. I have a list, which is gradually being checked off. One item is a crafting update, which is handy.
I have actual progress to share. Nothing finished yet. Big projects always take so long to complete, by their very nature. Reaching a ta-da moment is few and far between, so I’ll admit I’m only sharing milestone progress this time. Better than radio silence for months, while my fingers spin fibre and textile into something worth showing.
Anyway, here is my current knitting project. And may I just say, this is a first for me. Usually I finish one knit and then straight on to something completely different. I’m pretty sure it’s all down to the length of time each project takes. Too long doing the same thing, means I’m yearning for a change of scene.
Not this time.
After knitting my purple cardigan, I took the plunge and dived straight into knitting the jumper version of the same pattern. I know. Bar a buttonhole band, it’s the same pattern. I loved the fit and style of the cardigan. It seems to suit me perfectly. So I’ve got my fingers crossed. I’m hoping that it will be true with the jumper too.
I chose King Cole yarn again, but this time in blue. The colour is called petrol. Not sure why. Maybe I’m missing the point. Whatever the name, I’m pleased with the colour. Strong colours suits me. The yarn is gorgeous to knit with and also to wear. It washes well in the wool cycle of our washing machine, which is a relief when it comes to 100% wool. I find hand washing an easy task to put off. Whatever the weather.
I was lucky with the yarn. They didn’t have enough of the same dye lot, but managed to do 12 of one batch and one of another. I can’t see the difference, but will use the odd ball for the ribbing, where any colour change won’t be so obvious.
Second craft project. I’ve finished all 16 blocks of my latest quilt. I loved sewing these together. Now to decide the colour of the borders/sashing. I find the blocks a bit washed out. Close up they are not so bad. I’d like a strong colour in between the blocks to lift the quilt a bit. I thought royal blue at first, but I might go for raspberry instead. I’m open to suggests. What do you think?
So there you are. Progress updated. I do have a ta-da moment tomorrow. Something I made a couple of months ago and can now share.
Right. Over to you. What are you working on, at the moment?
So, we went in to buy a stack of frozen desserts
Half term has been and gone. It was quiet and busy at the same time. The children have reached the age where they’re in and out without much involvement from me. Meeting up with old school mates on bikes or catching a bus into town with friends for a spot of shopping. Not that they didn’t need a lift sometimes, but the tide is definitely turning. Eldest is already gearing up to the idea of learning to drive in a few months time.
Gulp!
Anyway. I did magic up a day to myself during the week. I’d noticed that Aldi have been stocking fat quarters. Basically fabric that is cut into a rectangle and bundled into packs of maybe 6 different prints. The size is good for cutting and the prints are fun for mixing when it comes to patchworking.
The nearest Aldi is about half an hour away from us. Not convenient as a weekly shop, but fun to drop into when we’re passing. A couple of weekends ago, we popped in to pick up a few frozen desserts, which are so handy to have in the freezer. While we were there, I had a look at the crafting section too.
Needless to say, we left with our stack of puddings and a couple of packs of fat quarters.
After some deliberation (read procrastination), I settled for the evening star block. Using just the fabric out of the packs. I washed and ironed them. I know some people say not to wash fat quarters until they are all stitched up. I’m definitely on the side of letting them shrink before I sew. I like to see what I’m working with and get an idea of the finished size. They certainly did shrink.
I cut out 108 squares in one afternoon. Determined to finish the day with a stack of neat fabric squares. I’m making a quilt and two cushion covers.
I’ve finished five blocks out of the sixteen I’m planning on doing for the quilt. They are fairly quick to put together. I’m aiming to complete a block a day. I need a rhythm to keep going with a project otherwise it goes on the work-in-progress pile if I’m not careful. Happens in a blink of an eye.
The fabrics are more pastel than I’d usually go for. Never a bad thing to shake it up. I may make it a little bit more me with the colour in between the blocks. I’m still undecided. Maybe blue or yellow. Definitely something strong.
As for the puddings, we’ve eaten one so far. Cherry and custard tart. It was very moreish.
In the evenings, I’ve been cracking on with my long line purple cardigan. Tantalizingly nearly finished. All the parts are knitted up. I’ve started putting it together. Working on the neckline, in my favourite two knit, two purl ribbing. Not long now.
Irony is that it should be ready to see out the warmest February we’ve had. I’m pretty sure I don’t usually have the washing out on the line in February. I’ve not needed to use the tumble dryer once in the last few days. Daffodils are out, bumble bees are buzzing and blue skies are being enjoyed by all. Spring is here, it seems.
Right back to work. Have you tried the Aldi fat quarters? What do you think of them?
Dear Daughter: About sounding like your mother
Dear Daughter,
I had a look back to my last quilt block and letter to you. It was May. I’ve been so consumed with dressmaking and the summer, that patchwork and quilting have been put to the side. In fact, I’m not entirely sure where the quilt blocks are in my sewing room. These photos are from April, when I finished the block.
This block is called Noon and Light. In retrospect, I think the dark green was not the best choice. Too dark and defining. The name suggests a lighter combination. Not that the name matters. Once the block is among the others, it will look right.
I’ll find the rest of the blocks. It is so near to finishing. Now the cooler weather is back, it feels right to pick up our Dear Daughter quilt again. One block and one letter at a time. Here I go.
The letter – about sounding like your mother
I heard myself today. I blame you. Partly. You made me use my Mother’s voice. I could hear it. I could hear my mother. I also knew how you felt, because I’ve been in your shoes. On the receiving end of the voice. Continue reading
