Retail Therapy Yarn

I signed up for Fibre Share a while back. As the shipping deadline approaches I begin to wonder if I have enough to fill a package. I know I do, but I was worried. I decided I needed to go to Fibre Space to make sure I had everything I needed.

I knew I was close when I came across this lamp post dressed in wonderful knit. Everyone at Fibre Space is so warm and thrilled about knitting and yarn and notions.

I ended up buying way more yarn than I needed and most of it was for me. On the list of things for me was some absolutely amazing self-striping sock yarn from Knitterly Things. I cannot tell you how much I wanted every single colorway of this yarn. It's called Vesper Sock and I absolutely love it. I'm not kidding when I say that I wanted every colorway. With names like Electric Revolution and Kiss Me Deadly I how could I refuse? this is my first attempt to make the stripes do what I want in a shawl. Don't worry, this was ripped and I think I have a plan. If this ever works out as a pattern I'll let you know.

Sadly, I didn't take very many photos of my mad loot. I don't know what I was thinking. Mostly that I wanted to knit with that sock yarn right now. I also bought some wonderful fingering from Jill Draper Makes Stuff. So many fun color choices and the yarn is made in the U.S. from sheep to yarn shop. That's pretty awesome! That is the green/gray/yellow in the lower right-hand corner of this photo. All but the skein at the top are recently caked Hawthorne from Knit Picks. That hiding blue/purple/green at the top of the image is another skein of Vesper Sock.

Right now I'm working on knitting this Dotted Rays with two colorways of Hawthorne from Knit Picks. There is a Dotted Rays Knit Along, you should check it out.

I started a Bosc Pear with some more Hawthorne from Knit Picks. Here is the beginning of the first lace section. I am really liking this one even if it does take a little more concentration than other knitting.

So much yarn and so little time.

Charity Quilting Update

Yes, I am an update person. Even if you didn't know what I was doing I'm going to give you an update.

More quilts for Annapolis Quilts for Kids.  I love to see the quilts put together by new quilters. They have such enthusiasm and put together quilts that want to be loved and used.

These two were fun little quilts with a bit of whimsy.

One of my favorite quilting motifs, the flower. This one is so quick and fun. I've passed these over to another member of the team to have the binding added. You can join in the quilting and giving by joining Annapolis Quilts for Kids on July 16th to stitch up some quilts. Come for an hour or just stop by and say hi to pick up a quilt kit to finish on your own.

2016 Charity Quilt Count: 24

Love Is Update

Remember my first call for heart blocks?

Here is an update on the progress I've made on the Quilts for Pulse project I'm leading in support of the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild. I received enough blocks to put together the first quilt top.

I added a narrow (2.5") border to add a little stability to the top for quilting. I loaded up and got quilting.

I didn't do any fancy quilting on this one. I want it to wash up snugly and this seemed the best choice. I may do a different all-over design on another one. Or I may just meander my way through every one of them.

I picked up several more blocks at the sew-in at Bear's Paw Fabrics. Thank you to everyone that brought or mailed blocks.

Enough blocks to get the second top put together. I'm trying to catch up so when I get the rest of the blocks at the next guild meeting I'll be ready to sew up the last two tops.

This is such a great project and I'm so pleased to work together with so many amazing people to make these quilts.

Keep an eye on the Baltimore MQG's blog for updates and more photos. They are wonderful people and do wonderful things. They are just amazing!

More Yarn-Dyeing Fun

Remember those tiny skeins of yarn I dyed? I decided it was time to put all those tiny skeins of yarn to use and plan out some colors and dye some more yarn. I pulled these colors and started playing with my dye.

I dyed two skeins of yarn with the same color repeat. I think I'm going to call this one Hard Candy. I love how the colors go from bright pink to blue and then fade into lavender and purple. Such a fun long color-change.

Aren't these skeins just so yummy?

I couldn't stop at that. I had to grab the green and purple and see where that would take me. This isn't really a purple, more of a purple-blue color.

The way the color wicks up the yarn is interesting and a bit of a gamble. I like it, though. Those stripes are going to be awesome!

I'm looking forward to working with this yarn. It is so nice and soft after washing. I'm calling this one Joker.

Yarn: Bare Stroll Fingering Sock Yarn by Knit Picks
Hand dyed by me with food-safe dyes.