Pinwheel baby quilt - part 1: The front Panel

I recently spotted and fell in love with the Mon Ami charm pack by Moda. I often find patterns or colours I don't like in a charm pack which puts me off buying, or using (there is a stock of at least 4 charm packs at the back of the cupboard somewhere). But there isn't a fabric I dislike in this pack.

Inspired in my local quilting shop I decided that I didn't want to just go with squares but instead challenge myself with something a bit more effective.

I decided to go for this pinwheel design.

I started by cutting all the squares in the charm pack in half diagonally, so that each square gives you 2 triangles. For a quilt this size you actually only need to choose and cut 18 squares from the charm pack. I then cut some 5" strips of cream and then cut these into 5" squares and again cut these in half diagonally, to give 2 triangles. 

I set myself up with my machine in front of me, a stack of white triangles to my left and a stack of patterned triangles to the right. I then worked my way through the pile, taking one cream triangle and one patterned triangle and sewing them together to make a square.

With a lovely pile of now squares, I set to with the iron - this has to be my top tip! Ironing really a makes a difference!!

 I then experimented with laying these squares out to form 2 by 2 squares.

 Once I decided on the layout, I stitched the squares together in pairs.

I then lined the seams up to complete the 'bigger square'.

 Here again I got the iron out - press the seams to prevent bobbling and wherever possible always iron the seams to the side where the fabric is darkest (e.g so they lie against the back of the patterns fabric rather than the cream) as this will stop them being visible through lighter fabrics. 
I then lay these 'big squares' out on the bed to get an overall layout I was happy with and then set about stitching the 'big squares' into 3 rows of 3, taking care to line up seams as accurately as possible.

Again I gave them all a press here - it makes lining seams up easier, and set about joining the 3 rows together to make the 'square' centre panel.

At this stage I took a little trip to my local quilting shop (Simply All Sorts), with the completed centre panel neatly folded in my bag to search for an appropriate border fabric. I settled on this pink with cream striped through it - All In A Day by Anni Downs – Peach/Pink Stripe.

 

I then added a strip of cream to each side and will finish the front with another round of the pink. 

To be continued ...

Keep you eye out for part 2 in which I will make the back piece and do all the top stitching detail.

 

Window Pane Scarf

My LYS (Local Yarn Shop - Mine is WeKnitYouCanToo) stocks some beautiful yarns dyed right here in Cornwall, Perran Yarns and I have to be honest I am a little bit in love with them. The colours are amazing, every time a new batch comes into the shop I fall in love. So many beautiful colourways. These are special yarns for special projects, the kind of yarn you buy yourself as a birthday treat or when you're making a gift for someone you really like.

Now the item I am blogging about today all came about from one of these skeins of yarn. I wanted to make a Christmas gift for someone with some of this gorgeous yarn. I knew my LYS owner was about to make a trip to Perran Yarns to stock up and so put in a request for something made up of blues and with a little bit of wow. I was not disappointed! She returned with a beautiful 4ply skein of 'Ocean' a mix of blue with sparkle running through. Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm not a bling person and sparkle has to be tasteful in my books. This was perfect!!

The next question was what do make with that, a scarf of some kind, but something a little bit different, a little bit special. I had really enjoyed my feathers and fans snood but that was DK and not suited for a 4ply, so I began the hunt. Computer mouse in hand I began the Ravelry search. I love Ravelry, it is not only bookmarked but featured on my toolbar for easy access. After a little deliberation I settled on the Windowpane Scarf by Adrienne Lash, it's simple but effective, especially with variegated yarn (as I could see from the pictures of scarves others had made using this pattern - thats a really bonus of Ravelry, you can see other peoples makes). It took me a 3 days which I was pretty pleased about.

                 

      

I couldn't be more pleased with the finished product! I felt happy giving this as a gift (of course I would have loved to keep it for myself - but that's just an excuse to buy some more lovely yarn and make another one, isn't it?).

Perran Yarns

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Socks - I will not be defeated!! - Part 2

So yesterday was Bank holiday Monday. Now when I've been teaching and have a class of children I am responsible for I usually spend my 'days off'/ 'holidays' planning, marking, researching or if I do try to do something relaxing or for me I spend the whole time feeling guilty and think "I should be; planning, marking, researching, resource making etc.".

Still on the road to recovery and not have a class to be responsible for, I decided I could really have a lazy bank holiday! I ripped my sock right back to the cuff (as that bit looked fine) and started again from those few rows.

 

I even got excited when I realised my nail varnish matched my yarn! Sad, lol!

My other half (AKA - Mr Grumpy, name of his own choosing I hasten to add) brought me the X-Men box set last year some time and has asked me a few times whether I've watched it yet. Today seemed like the perfect opportunity, knitting my socks and a movie marathon. So I got cracking.

4 and a half films and one sock later and it was time for bed.

          

29/3/2016 - Sock update: Cast on for second sock this morning and think I've done quite well, not quite so much as yesterday but a fair bit seeing as my day hasn't just been knitting socks. I was determined to turn the heel tonight and I have just done a few ordinary knit rows post heel turn and so I am off to bed! Also finished the 4th movie in the set and watched the 5th - one more to go and I can say whole heartedly that I've watched the set from beginning to end, and made a pair of socks of course! (Need to finish the second sock before the end of the last film! Sounds like a challenge to me.

30/3/2016 -Today included another visit to the driving range with Mr Grumpy and so I had the perfect opportunity to knit the foot part of my sock (knitting my socks at least kept my hands warm, even if the rest of me was freezing. I must learn to take gloves/mittens).
20:00pm - Having just got home I now need to check the length against the already finished sock and hopefully get it finished so I have a pair to show off tomorrow.
22:25pm - We have a pair!! My first pair of socks!! Mission accomplished! :)

Hmmm... I might get started on the next pair. I already have a plan and the yarn. For my next pair I'm planning to use a DK by West Yorkshire Spinners - a plain colour with the navy for heels and toes again, before hopefully progressing to 4ply. Would love to make Mr Grumpy a pair of socks but it would have to be 4ply as anything else would be too thick and make him overheat. Keep a look out for more socks.

Good Friday Sunshine

Now, for those of you less interested in yarn and making things I did promise adventures. With the longer than anticipated recovery from surgery and the damp weather, adventures have been, up until now, rather scarce. But finally I am driving again and the sun is out! Adventure time!!

When I got up yesterday I could see straight away that, as the weather man had predicted, the sun was shining and it was going to be a beautiful day. I couldn't resist and immediately dressed like summer was here to stay. White trousers with blue flowers, black strappy top, lemon cardigan and a light scarf to tie it all together.

Once I'd collected Mr Grumpy (his agreed nickname for purposes of blog), I headed back towards Truro and off West, down the A30. We stopped at Tesco to pick up some healthy bits and continued on our way. Marizon, our usually and favourite spot, was jam packed and so we continued down west, past Penzance. After a minor incident on the way we arrived at Portcurno, down by the museum and not far from the Minack.

The minor incident being someone coming the other way being 2foot out from the hedge their side and me having to pull right into the hedge my side. The result - my passenger wing mirror turned itself in and the mirror part jumped out of the wing and dangled by a wire. Not to worry, with a bit of persuasion I managed to click it back in, and the electronic adjustment dial works.

We parked up and walked down to the beach, the path is fine it’s the last bit on to the beach which is steep. The usual walk way was closed off for maintenance and so we had to go a little further round and come out down the side of the beach which was steep. Its good Mr Grumpy had a hold of me on the way up as he practically dragged me back up, lol.

Our picnic was yummy and after a short sit in the sun (it wasn’t quite warm enough to sit for too long, whilst we were also fearful of sitting in direct sunlight without the recent application of sun cream).

The return journey passed without incident and we soon found ourselves at an old favourite - Hayle Driving range. Where Mr Grumpy can hit balls and I usually, crochet/knit/write letters or just sip on a hot chocolate. Now out of the sun and sufficiently chilled a hot chocolate was definitely on the menu.

Socks - I will not be defeated!! - Part 1

I have written this post in parts as I have completed this project and will post the entire thing when it is complete. I have dated each part to show the process.

17.3.2016 - I know I mention my LYS (Local Yarn Shop) a lot but that is where I get lots of my inspiration and energy. I have WeKnit to thank for an awful lot, wonderful new friends, laughter, inspiration, new skills, energy... the list goes on.

This post is about a new skill. I am always up for trying something new or learning something new. I firmly believe that we never stop learning from the relatively new things e.g. I must remember that step is there next time, to new skills and qualifications. This has lead me into all sorts of exciting chaos, including jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet for charity and spending a week on a magnificent tall ship to mention but a few.

Anyways... At my LYS this month there is a theme/focus. Sue has called it Sock March - see her blog post for details, in short this includes a fantastic window display, and sock knitting lessons (you really do have to take a look at the blog). Now, about a year ago I did try my hand at making a pair of socks, but the 4ply yarn, 2.75mm needles and me didn’t exactly get off to a flying start. As explained in a previous post I pick crochet over knitting any day of the week. My first mistake with the socks had been that I didn’t realise that when you are using circular needles and doing stocking stitch you only need to knit, not knit a row, purl a row. My next mistake is I would completely forget whether I was knitting a row or purling a row - in short, it was a mess!

With Sock March in full swing and lots of people giving sock knitting a go I decided I couldn't be beaten by socks! I dug out 2 balls of Big Fabel from my stash that I had brought ages ago (gutted they have discontinued this!) and got myself some KnitPro 4mm needles. The Aran weight yarn and bigger needles made it so much easier and I soon got the grasp of the cuff and 'leg' part/top of the sock...

20.3.2016 - In fact I found myself unable to put it down and rather than tucking it away, when I thought it was long enough, until the heal turn lesson, I unscrewed the interchangeable needles and put them onto a fresh cable to cast on the 2nd sock!! Yes, the second sock!

Whilst the final games of the 6 nations were on this weekend I multi-tasked, listening to and watching parts of the rugby whilst knitting the second sock. I now have 2 socks ready for a heal turn!!

22.3.2016 - One heel successfully turned and I am pleased to say it really it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I was dreading the heel but once again the lovely Sue showed me the way and I've successfully managed a fish lips kiss heel. The question is, can I turn the second heel without Sue's expertise? I have continued to knit the foot of sock number 1, it won't be long before I'm ready for the toe lesson.  
It does however turn out that I can't multi-task, I have been wrapping the yarn the wrong way!! (clockwise instead of anticlockwise) Opps!

23.3.2016 - Happily turned the second heel with no more than the written instructions to prompt me! :) Happy bunny!

24.3.2016 - Successfully finished the first sock today, completing the toe (which I was dreading) using just written instructions :) I needn't have worried, just like the other parts this turned out to be less troulesome than anticipated. Happy, happy me!

Well to begin with ... When I tried it on I realised it doesn't fit, width wise. I suspect it is because I was wrapping the yarn clockwise to begin with (play spot the difference above) and so that part of the sock has far less give than where I had knitted correctly. I can just pull it on but its very tight!

I am still determined to succeed at socks and not be defeated. So here's the plan: I think I'm going to 'frog' my second sock back to the cuff and do it properly, saving some yarn. I also have enough yarn to redo the first sock. I won't frog the first one but think I may just keep for sentiment. Keep your eyes peeled for part 2...
Meanwhile have a lovely Easter all.