Slippers

I knit two pairs of slippers for Nora this month. The red pair (to the right), and the purple and green (below).  I have been knitting this particular pattern since I was in the fourth grade, which was, um, fifty years ago. The pattern is way older than that, probably older than I am. But I don't know where the pattern is anymore because after knitting dozens of pairs (I once knit a basketful for my friend who wanted everyone to take their shoes off when they came in the house...), I have memorized the pattern.

It is knit on size 8 straight needles, my favorite 10" size, with doubled worsted weight yarn. I estimated that they take a total of 3 hours a pair, but only if you don't count the time it takes to fiddle around with the pom-poms.

First Project of 2014

Bailey Island Hobo bag from Aunties Two Patterns (Pattern No AT2444)

Julie and I saw this bag made up at the Diablo Quilters show in the fall.  I decided to give it a try today, and managed to complete it start to finish pretty much while everyone else in the Bay Area was watching the 49ers game. 

I made a major modification -- each of those stripes are 2 1/2 inch strips with edges folded in to the center, basically a four-layer strip. However, the pattern also called for including a strip of batting in each, and folding the fabric and batting up into a think little bundle.  I wanted to use fabrics I already had on hand -- and succeeded at that -- and I had the batting too, but I just cheaped out. I didn't want to use so much batting -- 2 1/2 " x 12 = 30" x 42"... Seemed like a lot, so I just left it out.  I am perfectly happy with the results.

Sewing note:  I was amazed how much thread this thing used.  I guess when you zig-zag 24 strips together, and then do some more sewing after that, that's what happens. 

The Last Project of 2013?

This is felted wool applique. Pattern:  "Top of the Morning "#183", by Geoff's Mom Pattern Co.  Very cute, eh?  The polka dots are APPLIQUED.  I bought the kit at a quilt show in the fall. The felted wool is appliqued to a silk background. I added a linen backing. TaDa!!  21 x 44 inches.

A long quilting weekend

Julie's very pink quilt -- I have forgotten what kind of flowers those are.

We sewed our socks off over a long weekend at the lake.  Many pieces were finished or almost finished. 

Julie's applique project 

Sheila's paper piecing quilt

Julie's stars quilt -- 2 blocks

  

 Lisa completed fronts and backs for FOUR quilts this weekend!!  Wow! 

Lisa - Daniel's "little monkey" quilt for cabin bedroom

Lisa - The Very Bright Quilt for Noel's bed in the corner of the cabin bedroom -- look back in the blog -- this quilt has been featured on several occasions

Lisa - Wow. Another cabin quilt featuring a Laurel Burch print

Lisa - Quilt for Summer's bed at the cabin

slowly things get done

This is block number one of a quilt I'm making for my daughter -- Block #3 of Vintage Valentine by Verna Mosquera. It was designed to be done in shades of pink and off-white/tan, but MY daughter wants plumy purples and sagey greens . . . I think I started this in January?
On to block #6 (doing the vertical striped background ones first).

Moving on to MITTENS, but in the meantime, another hat

Knitted hat for Lisa - this is a much lighter weight yarn than the other two - knitted on Size 3 needles.

And yet another hat

Madeleine Tosh DK

Hat for Nora