I’m working on that Doily that I mentioned a long time ago that I wanted to do. Instead of trying to swatch, I just jumped right in. I know…it might come out enormously larger or smaller than it is supposed to but I couldn’t wait. And I’m so glad I didn’t. I’m having the most fun working on it. Even though I had to do a round over because I totally missed something in the pattern, it really is the most fun project I’ve worked on in a while. I don’t know why…maybe the challenge of working with a hook so small (size 7 steel), maybe the process of seeing the design unfold as I work, maybe the idea that I’m making something like what my grandmother used to make. I don’t know…all I do know is that I’m having a great time. I’ll post a photo when it’s complete.
Monthly Archives: December 2005
Baby Blanket Finished
Here’s my completed baby blanket. Now I’m officially ready for that baby. Heehee! I actually finished it a while ago, but never got around to weaving in the ends…of course. I made it my goal to finish it this weekend, and it’s done! Click the image to view more info on the actual project.
Posted in Hobbies
Maggie's Quilt Block
This is the block I made for DH’s cousin. If you remember back I mentioned that she asked all the women in the family to send her a quilt piece in earth colors so that she could put them all together to make a big quilt. Here is my finished piece. I’ll be mailing it to her sometime next week.
Posted in Uncategorized
Fair Isle Hat – Can I Do It?
Yes, I know I should work on some of my current projects and get them finished and I am committed to getting them done. For some reason, I’ve gotten the knitting bug, so I’m ready to finish all those UFOs, but… I want to learn Fair Isle knitting. I found 2 hat patterns that seem simple enough with only 2 colors. The Tea Cosy Hat seems to be a fairly simple one that doesn’t appear to require me to switch to dpns, which is a good thing. 
I also found We Call Them Pirates that seems like something my DH or his friend would wear. His friend is more receptive to handknits since he’s the original requester of the neckwarmer I made and wears it constantly in the winter. Of course their heads are larger than the pattern, but that’s easily modified by using larger needles. This pattern is knit with Dale of Norway Hauk yarn which is great because its supposed to be rain and snow resistant. Which means you don’t need to freak out if it gets a little bit wet while you’re wearing it outside. The third pattern I found from ohmystars.net is knit flat then seamed. It includes earflaps and icord straps. I like this because it can also keep my ears warm. The pattern calls for 4 different colors but only uses two at a time…the pattern is in sections. I think I can do it…I just need to find some yarn. So, for anyone who’s reading this and has done Fair Isle before…which pattern would be better suited for a beginner?
Posted in Hobbies
Block Repairs
I pulled out some of my old quilt blocks I started years ago. I had joined a group of ladies that worked on 2 squares per month to make a sampler quilt after the year was up. I moved away and never finished, although through my mom, I managed to get the packets of the missed blocks. So I have about 4-6 blocks to still complete, 2 of which need some work. So I was looking at them to figure out what was wrong and I realized what the problem was…the seams weren’t lining up right. Why? Because the block packets include the already cut pieces and some were not cut to the correct size. Thinking back, I wish they would have just given us the instructions and the fabric and let us cut our own pieces. It would have been easier. I’m not an experienced quilter, so to fix someone else’s mistake is a little tough. I think I will be able to figure it out, but that is just frustrating. So I know I’ll need to pick up a seam ripper this weekend. I thought I had one but I can’t find it. It’s either lost, or I never had one, and always just used mom’s. I hope I can get those 2 blocks fixed and work on Maggie’s this weekend.
Of course I also want to work on my crochet squares for the afghan I’m making and work on the back panel of Blanche (mom’s sleeveless sweater I started sometime last year). It’ll be a busy weekend in crafts for me.
Posted in Uncategorized
San Francisco
I’ll be going to San Francisco January 28 – Feb 3 for a developer’s conference on Visual Studio.NET 2005. I’m looking forward to it…it will be my first time every in California. I hope to have some time to take a bunch of photos and maybe see if there is a knitting shop nearby where I’ll be staying that I can stop in to browse. I’m also planning on meeting up with a friend for dinner.
Posted in Work
