Thursday, October 23, 2014

Thursday is for Knitting

The deadline for Hats for Sailors finished projects is approaching -- November 11! If you've knit a Hat for a Sailor, go here to ask for the address to which you can mail your finished hat.

HFSsheep

I'm excited to host the November Hats for Sailors KAL on Ravelry. Deb Buckingham (The Dishcloth Diva) designed a hat just for the KAL, "Fair Winds and Following Seas."


And as an added bonus, when you buy the Fair Winds Following Seas pattern on Ravelry, you get a coupon code to receive a free pattern for her new design, the Abby Slouchy Hat!


There's a new yarn shop in town! You know how I love a shop that has something I can't get anywhere else -- WELL, Ewe & Me Yarn Boutique is just that place! It's the first shop I've ever seen that stocks Signature knitting needles (expensive, but so worth it!). AND they stock all the colors of Rowan Pure Wool Worsted that are used in the Kaffe Fassett KAL!  

I'm thinking I'll make a cowl from these yummies:


Debbie (the owner) had some Lorna's Laces yarn custom-dyed for the shop opening, in Broncos colors:


Somebody needs a new Broncos hat!

But not this guy:


That's the Elder Son wearing his Viking Beard hat.  Melissa's pattern included a crocheted hat with Viking horns, but ES said he would never wear that after Halloween. So I just attached the beard to a regular stocking cap.

Speaking of sons, here's what My Little Sailor is doing back in Japan this week:


I have a Halloween finish to share tomorrow! Come back and see what it is.










From the desk of your auntmartisignature

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

WIP Wednesday: Planning Ahead

Many quilters consider planning quilts, shopping for specific colors, and diving into the "stash" to be the most fun part of quilting.

Clearly, I'm no exception! Have you seen Bonnie Hunter's announcement of her next mystery quilt, "Grand Illusion?" Have you started to pull fabrics from your stash? Maybe you need to do a little shopping?

Here are the colors Bonnie recommends for this year's quilt:


I stopped by Ruth's Stitchery this morning to see what they have in this color range. There are lots more, but here are just a few I picked out to match the color cards:


I prefer bright, clear colors -- so I had plenty in my own stash!

Note: Aqua leans to green, not blue, as does Turquoise:


I love this bright apple (or grass?) green:


Can you tell pink is my favorite color?


I bought the yellow on the left at High Country Quilts. Then I saw the one on the right at Ruth's today. It's the one "constant" color in the quilt, so I'll have to choose!


I'm excited that Ruth's is hosting a "sit and sew" for the Winter Mystery. If you're in the area, bring your fabrics, machine and printed instructions from Bonnie to the shop at 9 am on Friday, November 28. It's fun to sew with friends!


WIP Wednesday

I test-sewed one block for our December Jelly Roll Party. The pattern is "Basket Weave" from The Quilt Room.



This isn't the fabrics I'll use for the actual sample quilt -- they're leftovers from a Sandy Gervais collection. In case you didn't notice, the center is an Octagon -- NOT a Hexagon! I have several Hexagon rulers, but couldn't find an Octagon template! The pattern requires enlarging the Octagon template by 400%, with each side measuring 3.75". WELL, at 400%, each side measures 3.78"! The DH noticed one side is about 1/4" longer than the others. I'm hoping when I start on the sample, I'll be able to "sliver" down the sides to measure exactly 3.75".

If you're a knitter, come back tomorrow for a sneak peak at a new yarn shop in Colorado Springs!



From the desk of your auntmartisignature