What a Surprise and a bit of flare

The folded Hexagon crochet jacket is done and although it is so cute it needed a bit of flare to add to the outfit.

Here is the finished baby cardigan and a cap to top it off.  


 Hippo modeling!!!!

Cardigan- http://needleworkersroom.blogspot.com   from 2008/ 07 / 01
Cap-http://www.lanayovillos.com/en/accesories/baby-hat

Fall sweater completed

I finished this sweater on Sept 23rd.   Hopefully by the time this post posts, I will have worn it in the beautiful Fall weather of the Poconos, PA.

Buttons are hand made fired clay from Mendocino Wool Festival

Drops pattern Magic Web

Kids Sewing Zippers for Fun

Kids love to sew.   It's so rewarding when they see what they can create.    Gerry asked me to teach a winter break class at the quilt shop.    There are so many cute zippered pouches and bag designs out there.  

lining, outside fabric and zipper sewn togethe

A few things to make to easy to sew
1. sew tabs on the zipper
2. place zipper on the right side of fabric and then place the lining over it.  Match all three edges and sew.
3. insert pull tabs
4. Press as you go.  

Vogue Knitting in Sonoma

So excited to see that Vogue Knitting was coming to Sonoma.   I was able to sign up for a fantastic class with Nicky Epstein.

She is so down to earth and amazingly creative.   How she can turn a square into a cute and cuddly creature is wonderful to watch.     I so wish I had been able to spend the rest of the day with this creative group...but alas I could not.  


Maybe next time and definitely need to work on my penguin.   

Crocheted Surprise in the works.

What a surprise!    Crochet!!   Folding this octagon into a cute sweater!  Boy, have I got ideas running through my mind.   How can a I add a little bit extra??  

Hummm.

Sweater progress report 2017

Began this sweater a few months ago and wanted to keep track of my status.   Body is complete and the sleeves are next on the list.

The yarn is Knit Picks City Tweed DK, a blend of Merino Wool, Superfine Alpaca, and Donegal Tweed.    The feel of this yarn is fantastic and the drape of the fabric is perfect.
The pattern is from Drops: Magic Web Cardigan.  

Sharing a Wool Week Adventure

Paula is courageous and adventurous. She shared the experience of traveling (alone) to Wool Week on the Shetland Islands at a meeting of the Sonoma Community Center Fiber Arts group.   She described the wonder of the landscapes, the creativity and resilience of the townspeople, the food, the fibers and the wonderful instructors.    It was a great presentation and I would guess that she inspired most to take a crafting trip.  

Here she is with her Sonoma County Fair Award winning blanket.   All natural wool (no dyes), knit in the round and then Steeked.   I think Paula had over 700 + stitches on the needle as she knit the border.    A true labor of love and respect for the craft.

This is a Shetland Style Shawl, knit by Suzzane.

Absolutely stunning.

Ladies, Thank you for sharing.

Mendocino Wool Festival 2017

I hadn't traveled north of Santa Rosa and it was about time to take that drive further up 101.



The best reason- Mendocino County Fair and Wool Festival, last weekend.   Boonville, CA,  site of the fair, is a rustic small town surrounded by orchards and forests.



The  Fair was lovely, especially the Angora Rabbit Fiber presentation.
This rabbit is 10 years old and generally they live 5-7 years.  So well cared for and loved.
Here they are combing the fur and spinning it.   Bunny to yarn in moments!!

Warm Up Texas

As if the state of the country wasn't in enough turmoil, mother nature is creating so much chaos and despair.   You want to help, and other then sending money and positive energy & thoughts, there isn't much more one can do, if you are not close by to help.   Thankfully yesterday a notice came from Knitting Universe about their efforts to help out.   Fundraising for Houston Food Bank and also supporting Warm Up America to distribute blankets.    Here's the link   to Stitches West fundraising info.

#STITCHESTexas
#STITCHESCares

You can send blankets to:

Warm Up America
Attn: Hurricane Harvey
3740 North Josey Lane Suite 102
Carrolton, TX  75007

 These are going in the mail today.   

Lost Control -Well not completely

When I sat at the computer today to write a post, the first thought that came to mind was that I just have too many projects started....I lost Control!

Some items in the photo are just a few steps from completion -- weave in a strand or sew on buttons. Others are half finished and some are really just me designing- make a sample swatch or knitting a shawl as I design it.   There is crochet and knitting in the mix.  Charity and gifts.

And did you notice the lovely bags to hold my projects.
(Thanks Katie and Brenda)

Now I could beat myself up about this situation, but the truth of the matter is I need diversity.   I need to have different skill level projects to meet the needs of knitting gatherings..you know it's best to have a mindless project when you knit at Murphy's Pub.  You understand, just in case a cool beer or Margarita fits the bill that day.   

(as an aside, this has been the hottest summer ever).  

How many projects do you have started?   

I have 9. .  No wait, where is that beautiful chevron scarf with the Spanish Yarn????