A Houston Finish

So that very pretty yarn I bought in Houston is now knitted into a scarf. I needed a model to show it off, and my faithful cat, Tigger, was only too happy to help out. The wool has mohair in it, and it is very cuddly and warm, and I love wearing it. And I like the way it looks all bubbly and colourful.

I started another scarf from some wool I've had in my collection for a while now. I haven't been doing very much sewing lately, though. Hopefully I'll get back at it now that Christmas is past.

Houston Project #2

This afternoon, I spent some time making a scarf out of the exquisite yarns I bought in Houston. I stretched them out between two sheets of water soluble plastic type material, then stitched across the yarns to stabilize them. Soaking in water dissolved the film, and now I have a brand new scarf. All the yarns are wool, or silk, or a blend. A couple of them are silk chenille. How yummy is that.

I wanted mostly dark blue, purple colours, with a bit of pink mixed in, and this is what I got. Surprise, surprise, though, I thought I had enough yarns for two or three scarves, and alas, this one used up all the yarn. Now I have some leftover water soluble film for another project.

New Projects

When I was in Houston, we were talking about which project we each would start first, from all the goodies we bought. I wasn't sure, I think I said I would finish a white Winding Ways quilt I already have going. Well, I have been so excited about a ball of hand-dyed yarn I picked up, that I just had to start knitting a scarf. I had one in progress, but did not like the way the yarn was knitting up, so just now I cast that one off. It will never be finished up anyway. Maybe I can use that small piece somewhere else.

This casting off was soon followed by casting on the new yarn. It's not like I don't have other yarns to knit, but you know how it goes. Something new is always  more exciting than something old. So far, I love the way this looks, and feels. It is a blend of mohair, silk and wool. And all those pretty colours, with a loopy  texture, what's not to love? I'm not a superfast knitter, though, so it may take me a while to finish my scarf. I'll keep you posted, when it's finished.

Scored a Finish or Two

I've been sewing some because it has been blazing hot outside lately. Too hot for picking raspberries!

Last week, I finished a baby quilt for our quilt guild. We volunteer to make Memory Quilts to go to a local hospital for when someone loses an infant. It wasn't a long project, but at the last minute, I decided to add some lace around the binding. Because I didn't plan that ahead of time, I had to hand stitch it neatly behind the binding, but I like the way it finishes the look.

And I also finished sewing together a jean jacket vest, which I had cut out from a men's denim shirt. So now the embellishment begins. I want to start with some fancy bleaching, and continue with embroidery and beading.

On top of that, I made two pairs of shorts for myself, for when I venture out into that blazing heat! I can pretty much never buy any pants off the rack, without having to alter them for a better fit. So, it is easier a lot of times to develop a pattern that fits in the first place, and just make them from scratch.

Patterns Con't

I was going to go pick raspberries this morning, but it started to rain just as I was getting my shoes on. So a new plan was in order. This means quilting, of course. One of the best things about living in this house is how quiet it is on Saturday mornings. Now, it would be in my nature to get out to the farmer's market or such on a Saturday morning, but it is so peaceful here that I have grown accustomed to work at sewing instead.

Why is it so quiet, you ask? I leave for work early during the week, and leave all the pets fed, so they and Steve mostly sleep until I get home early afternoon (Steve works late). I walk the dog on weekends and feed everyone, then they all sleep at least until noon! What a treat. It's a good formula for me to get things done.

So this morning, I was cutting out those two vests, and made yet another pattern, this time for a jacket. I have fabric lined up for it, real yard goods, not a recycled garment this time.

For now the rain seems to have moved through, and I can go out for those raspberries.