Thursdays (and Summers) Are For Knitting

A month or so ago, I cast on a pile of Hats for Sailors to knit during summer travels. They're not all finished, but a few are!

Here are some photos of the finished hats. You can read the details on my Ravelry project page, username AuntMarti. And if you're a knitter or crocheter, we'd love to have you join us to knit a hat for a sailor!


First is "Barley," knit with Ewe Ewe worsted. This yarn just did NOT want to be knitted -- I unsuccessfully started three projects before finally finishing a hat!

This yummy orange marmalade colored yarn is from Inskein Yarn in San Antonio, hand dyed by Jennifer Caswell (the Discriminatin Knittah). I hope Jennifer dyes some more superwash merino, because I loved knitting "Willow Hat" with this yarn.

My best field trip while in Texas was to Comfort, and The Tinsmith's Wife. The June Hats for Sailors KAL is "Rib-a-Roni," and I used Black Trillium Fibres Pebble Worsted. Even the DH commented how pretty is this yarn!

Ten or so years ago, the boys and I took a "college visit" trip to the Pacific Northwest. One of the best places we visited was the Hudson's Bay Co. store in Victoria. I made up this pattern to celebrate the colors of the iconic HBC blanket.

Holiday Yarns is one of those yarns I couldn't find anywhere in Colorado. So I ordered this Wooly Ewe Worsted to knit "Rhubarb Helix" from Wisconsin -- then I found the yarn nearby at Colorful Yarns!

Thus far, I've knit 30 of 52 Hats for Sailors that is my goal for this year. As much as I love making quilts, knitting hats is a lot more portable for travel!

Not much quilting going on this summer -- I'm mostly sewing sleeveless tops to wear when I return to Texas next month. 

From the desk of your

Summer Block a Day

Being away from home for most of the Spring season made Summer arrive in a flash. I did manage to finish the blocks for my Spring Block a Day quilt, but it's not sewn together yet.

Here is a photo of my finished blocks:

I used the new Kona Cottons colors jelly roll for the colored centers. I arranged them just as they came off the jelly roll. Don't you think it turned out great? Thanks, Sue!

If you didn't catch the Spring BaD tute, go here to visit Sue's Quilts Bits and Bobs for the tutorial.

Today is is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Here in Colorado, it's officially the longest day of the year. We can play outside until well into the evening! So let's make an easy, quick Block a Day.

Few quilt blocks are easier than Half-Square Triangles. The HST is the basis of our summer block. There are many methods to make HSTs, but I will start with the easiest. I call it the "cut a square, draw a line, stitch, cut, and press" method.

Here's how:

1. For each block, cut two squares of print and two squares of background fabric. I'm using 4.5" squares, but you can use a different size if you wish.

I usually make my BaDs from scraps, but this one will be made using fat quarters. If your fat quarters are fully 18" wide, you can cut 16 squares from each one. If not, you will need additional FQs to make the number of blocks needed (90).

2.  Place the print and the background FQs right sides together and press.

Pressing the fabrics will cause them to "stick" together, making it easier to cut precise squares.
 

3.  Draw a line diagonally across the wrong side of the lighter fabric.

4.  Stitch a scant quarter-inch seam on each side of the line.

5.  Cut on the line and press toward the print fabric.

6.  Arrange the four HSTs as shown:

7.  Flip the two right-hand HSTs on top of the two left-hand sides and stitch the vertical seams. Then stitch the horizontal seam.

8.  I like to use the "windmill press" on the reverse side to reduce bulk.

9.  Here is the finished block:

Using 4.5" squares will result in a 7" finished block. 90 blocks will result in a finished quilt (without borders) of 63" X 70" -- a large lap size. 

Have fun making your HSTs and your Summer
Block a Day quilt!

 From the desk of your

June 1 UFO Parade

I really hate it when bloggers write "I've been a bad blogger!"  Well -- I've been a bad blogger, but a good friend! I've been in Idaho helping a friend move, so the UFO Parade is late.

So you can get started on your June UFO, it's:

Joy was fast with her May UFO -- she send her email on May 2! Her story made me laugh:

I finally got the borders on my Friendly Shoo Fly Block a Day from last summer. I morphed the blue blocks into a Friendship Star, because it was the same pieces, just a different location in the nine patch block.  I also meant to make it smaller, but forgot when I started cutting and ended up with a King Size. It's not quilted yet. I haven't decided on a backing and whether to take it to my Mom's in TX to quilt on her long arm this summer or wrestle with it under my home machine. 

Joy is also looking for advice on backing -- any ideas?

Sandi was not only quick to finish her May UFO -- she is ready for Christmas!

I slipped into the 2015 UFO List that I created last December a few small projects to finish this year.  I hoped that they would be selected during the months when my schedule was tight...and it did this month with #12.  Tiny Treasurers is all too cute don't you think?  It is designed by Sandy Gervais (#582 Moda Candy Pattern).  It is perfect to use for scraps since no piece is wider than 2 1/2".  At only 16" x 16" total finished size it was easy to stitch up for a quick project.  I have a second one on my sewing table already.  I'm thinking these will be perfect gifts for any event.  Thanks to one of my followers who came up with the PERFECT name Kringle's Kargo.
Here is a link to my blog where you can read more about Kringle's Kargo and the other projects I'm working on.  http://www.kwiltnkats.blogspot.com/2015/05/wednesday-may-6-2015.html 

Pam's finish is a stunner -- and is that Susie's Magic Binding I spy on this beauty?

It seems like it's been forever since I've had a finish.  Last night (well,really early this morning) I finished up Eye Fooler - the quilt I made formy niece's graduation. Although I didn't start it until February, it's beenon my list to do since last fall.
All the stats are in today's blog post:http://pamela.avaraarts.com/the-graduation-quilt-is-finished/

Pam has a second big finish! Here's the "story behind the quilt."

This is Orca Bay – started in November 2011. I don’t like messing with strings and paper, so it got set aside. But as with nearly all of the quilts I’ve started, I knew eventually I would finish it.  A friend asked me if I would make her a quilt. “orange” and “abstract” were my guidelines – so I showed her the Orca Bay blocks and my Orange Crush top -  both Bonnie Hunter quilts. She picked Orca Bay with the understanding it could be 2016 before I got that far.  Butsince the quilt had a reason to be finished it was much easier to work on and I finished the top several months ago. I finally got it quilted last week.

Nancy, I feel your frustration with your first May finish. Quilters, has this ever happened to you:

I can't believe that it is the end of May.  Where did it go?  I did get my UFO finished early in the month, but then never took a picture until today.  Nothing like a little procrastination in your life.  This is one just because, I like the colors.  No real plans but I am sure it will be with me for a while.  It matches some pillows I have.  I bought as a clearance kit a while back and  I got all the way to the last border when I stopped working on it.  When I picked it up this month I remembered why - the outside border was to be cut width of fabric, fussy cutting the design.  Of course the design was not printed straight.  Can you say waves in this border?

Aaarrrggghhh!

Nancy bound two other quilts during May -- love the Kate Spain fabrics in this first one!

Heather has two finishes for May. And here's what she told me about them:

I've got 2 finishes for this month!  First, Bath House Blues, the little Prairie Women's Sewing Circle quilt that I planned to finish this month.http://peachypages.blogspot.com/2015/05/bath-house-blues.html

 

Next, a long-term hand crochet project that I've been working on since late autumn.  This is the Leaping Stripes pattern and my very first (and probably last) crocheted afghan!http://peachypages.blogspot.com/2015/05/my-first-and-only-crochet-project.html

Irene  also has two "finally finishes" for May.

The first is a wall hanging I made for my mother when I saw this free pattern online. She worked at Singer Sewing in St. Louis when she graduated from high school.

The second one is the final quilt in my wall hanging series for the four seasons. I think this was in my packages for UFOs in 2013 and it is FINALLY done.
There are more details on my blog - another “finally updated” project.
 www.aserendipitousretirement.blogspot.com

Kerry's May finish looks complicated -- but she claims it is not!

This is the Day and Night Pattern by Eleanor Burns. It looks complicated but went together fast and easy. It also uses up all the extra pieces in a couple of small bonus projects. Here is link to my blog http://www.kerrysquilting.com/2015/05/sunday-stash-report.html

Mary's May finish is a donation quilt for the Ronald McDonald House. Isn't is sweet?

This is a quilt for Ronald McDonald house; I've had the fabric about 5 years so it was time to make something from it!  I blogged about it here: https://zippyquilts.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/8-projects-for-april-and-may/

Looking at my notes, I realize I failed to choose a winner for lat month's UFO Parade. So there are two this month! Nancy and Pam, please email me your postal addresses so I can send you a goodie!

I'll be spending the summer in Texas, so no quilting for me -- I'm sewing summer clothes!

From the desk of your

June UFO Parade Postponed

It's a reprieve! I'm on leave in Idaho and don't have access to your UFO finish emails -- so the June UFO Parade will be next weekend. 

Now you have a few more days to finish that UFO!

-- Aunt Marti

Finally a Friday Finish!

I've been on an extended trip to Texas, so the Friday Finishes have been thin on the ground.

Here's the May Jelly Roll Party sample:

The pattern is "True North" by Peta Peace of She Quilts Alot. The fabric is Daysail from Bonnie & Camille. I love the "waves" that Vivian quilted on it!

I used my Folded Corner Clipper to make the folded triangles in each block. I noticed Ruth's Stitchery has re-stocked this favorite tool. If you're planning a quilt with these triangles, do yourself a favor and order one!

Tomorrow is a trunk show by Jen Kingwell at Mama Said Sew in Ft. Collins. I can't wait to see her gorgeous quilts in person!

From the desk of your

Thursdays are for Knitting (or starting!)

Summer travel plans are underway.  Hats for Sailors are the perfect knitting to take along!

I don't know about you, but the only part of knitting hats I really need to pay attention to is the cast-on. After that, it's mostly mindless. So I cast on multiple hats and put each in a project bag with the pattern and a second size of needles, if needed.

I do have a few finished hats to share. First, the non-HFS hats.

This one is a "Big Chunky Comfy Hat," a free pattern on Ravelry. The yarn is Sheep Shop Yarn Company Sheep 2 that I picked up years ago at Knit Knack in Arvada, Colorado. This is a super-speedy knit, perfect for a last-minute gift.

Next is the Skeppa hat, pattern by Sarah Jo Burch Designs and also available on Ravelry. The yarn is Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Wool. 

I'm up to 25 Hats for Sailors, almost halfway to my goal! All three of these were made using the April HFS knit-along pattern, "Cobblestones" by Susie Gourlay. It's also free on Ravelry. The yarn is Cascade 220 Superwash paints and Superwash solid. 

Now for the Works in Progress!

HFS #26 is "Barley," from tincanknits. The yarn is ewe ewe Wooly Worsted, color Aquamarine, which I confess has given me fits. Ever have a yarn that just doesn't like you? This is the third or fourth project started with this yarn, prior attempts just haven't worked out. So far, the Barley hat is coming along fine!

HFS #27 is made from a 100% wool sock yarn (thelabelismissing) and the Runner's Watchcap pattern from Chiagu. I'm 99.9% sure this is a machine-washable yarn, but if I can't find the label to be sure, it will go in the "someone will need a hat" bin. 

HFS #28 is the yet-to-be-cast-on Round and Round hat by Jennifer Vancalar. I searched and searched for Holiday Yarns, ordered it online, then found it all over in Texas! The pattern requires two colors, a solid and a space-dyed yarn. I have three skeins so I'll probably make two hats from this pattern. 

HFS #29 deserves a post all on its own! This yarn from The Tinsmith's Wife in Comfort, TX, is yummy! It's High Wire 3-ply, hand-dyed by Yarn Carnival in Austin. This colorway is "Big Bad Wolf," and myohmy, it's a good thing I didn't find it before I bought the yarn for my Featherweight Cardigan! I might decide to make a second cardi using this yummy yarn! BTW, The Tinsmith's Wife is absolutely worth going out of your way to visit! (The pattern is Spralini by Jane Tanner, free on Ravelry and the May HFS KAL.)

My "home" LYS in San Antonio is Inskein Yarns. Shannon and all the knitters at the Tuesday morning knitting group went out of their way to make me feel at home. HFS #30 is being knit with a 100% superwash merino hand-dyed by Jennifer Caswell. The colorway is "Pooh Bear" and the pattern I'm using is "Willow Hat" by Melissa LeBarre (pattern on Ravelry). 

#31 is a yarn that's been in the stash for quite some time. The yarn is Gobelin from Biscotte & Cie, colorway Poisson Tang. I'm using a favorite pattern, "Striped Beanie" by Donny Guercio (another free pattern on Ravelry).

HFS #32 is another yarn from The Tinsmith's Wife. This is Pebble Worsted from Black Trillium Fibers, colorway "10th Doctor" (because who can resist David Tennant?) I using the Rib-A-Roni pattern by Jane Tanner (another freebie on Ravelry).

I can't remember where I bought this Manos del Uruguay yarn, "Clara," for HFS #33. The pattern is Violet Waffles by Halldora J, free (of course!) on Ravelry.  This photo doesn't do justice to the gorgeous blue shades of the "Black Forest" colorway. Oh! I bet I bought it at Table Rock Llamas, intending to knit the Black Forest Fire charity infinity scarf!

Cast-on HFS #34 is my own creation, based on this Hudson's Bay Co. bag I bought in Victoria, BC 10 years ago. I'm using five colors of Cascade 220 Superwash to mimic the stripes of the iconic Hudson's Bay Blanket.

That should keep me busy for a month or so!

From the desk of your

Tuesday Tutorial: The Scrap Bin

With the rising cost of quilt fabric, I'm reluctant to toss even small bits of scraps. Which means my scrap storage method is quickly becoming inadequate!

There has been an explosion of "1 Hour Basket" finishes on blogs, Facebook, and Instagram. While I love Kelby's design, it isn't quite the right size to fit my new "scrap shelf." So I made some measurements, and came up with a fabric basket that finishes at a 10" cube.

Here's how I made mine!

What you'll need:

I used Soft and Stable for my first sample. It's kind of spendy, so I changed to fusible fleece for subsequent bins. The Soft and Stable bin stands upright when empty better than the fusible fleece bin. But when they're filled with fabric (and they are!) either works fine.

• (5) 10" squares of Soft and Stable, or fusible fleece

• (10) 10" squares of fabric -- perfect for leftover layer cake squares

You may choose to use decorator weight fabric or even canvas. If so, I would line the bin with quilting-weight cotton.

 And here's how to make it!

1. If using fusible fleece, follow the package directions to fuse the fleece to the wrong side of five of the ten squares. If using Soft and Stable, either glue base or sew baste at 1/8"  to wrong side of the squares.

2. Place two squares right sides together. Sew along one side, beginning and ending the stitching at 1/4" from the end.

Start with the lining. This way, you'll get practice stitching on the part that doesn't show in the finished bin!

I always use a red pin as a "flag" when I want to begin and end at a specific point in the stitching. 

3. Important!  On one side of the bottom square, leave an opening about 6-8" to turn the finished bag.

If you forget to leave an opening, you can pick out the seam later!

4. Continue adding squares to each side of the bottom square until it looks like this:

5. To sew the side seams, fold the bottom square to form a 45-degree angle. This keeps it from getting caught in the side seam. Line up the sides and pin in place.

6. Begin stitching at the bottom seam, back tack, and continue stitching to the top of the side pieces. Back tack again.

The back-tacking keeps the seam from coming apart when you turn the bin right-side out.

I used a red pin to show exactly where to begin stitching. It's not at the edges of the fabric -- this is like stitching a "Y" seam in a quilt block, you start sewing 1/4" from the edge of the pieces.

 7. After the lining pieces are sewn together, sew the outside box the same way.

8. Here is my finished "box."

9. Turn the lining right-side out and place inside the outside.  Pin all around the top:

I turned the seams in opposite directions so they would "nestle" when stitched.

10. and stitch all the way round:

11. Remember that opening you left on one bottom seam of the lining?

 If you press the seam allowance open, it will be easier to line up to stitch the opening closed.

Stitch the opening closed as close to the folded edges as you can. 

This will be covered with scraps of fabric, so don't panic if it isn't perfect! 

12. Press the top edge, using plenty of steam to encourage the edges to press flush. Then fold the top inch or two wrong sides together and stitch through all layers for about 1.5-2".

This helps the box hold its shape when upright. 

13. Top stitch about 1/2" from the top, all the way around.

14. Et voila! Your finished scrap bin, ready to fill with scraps, or squares, or strips!

It took me less than one hour to make the second and third bins. As you can see, I need six more!

I thought about making the bins match the color of scraps. But then, I would have had to buy (gasp!) fabric to make bins to hold scrap fabric. That just seemed silly!

See that basket with the yellow paper bow on top of the shelf? It was a "welcome baby" gift from my boss at Pacific Lutheran University when the younger son was born. Now it holds ironing supplies, but I think of Dean Moe every time I see it!

I hope you'll experiment with making your own scrap bins. Like the 1 Hour Basket, they're addictive!


From the desk of your