Shawl Knitting update

I just love knitting in the evenings.  You know that already...  

A couple of weeks ago, I started this Diving In Shawl.   I pick away at it.  No pressure, because it's only to wear this winter.  I've made great progress knitting only an hour in the evenings...  I would say another week or so of knitting and it will be done.     This is a free form pattern.  There was no instruction on how to include stripes, or how many stripes.  It was more of a recipe, than an actual pattern.   It's an asymmetrical shawl.  Very simple.  I think I'm going to love the shape.   You make all the decisions on where to make stripes or do color changes.  Great for knitting with left over yarn.    I'm using Paint Box Simply DK with size 4 mm needles.      

 I've been knitting a long time, and I love learning new techniques. In particular, the modified garter stitch in this pattern was new to me.    I made the block of many stripes using the modified garter.   The benefit of the modification is that the stripes look the same from the front or back of the shawl.   I tried just a regular garter in the single brown stripe, and you can definitely tell the difference between front and back.  Neat.    I would have never understood how to do the modified garter just by reading.  You need to read each word of the instruction, then actually knit it....and by the time I had several rows knit, I realized the difference.  

But that's all the knitting on this shawl for now.  

I'm on vacation... yippee.

Stay tuned, I'll be back in a couple of weeks.. 

A New Wallet to Travel

It's time to change wallets.  

My favorite wallet is showing signs of wear.   It's been two years that I was carrying it.   So, in preparation for my trip, I've cleaned out my wallet and put the necessary things back in my new cork wallet.  I made it last spring and had been using it as a sample in my classes.   

  It's brown and it goes with everything.  It has a bit of a different style front that will show off the stitching.   The batiks on the interior are fun and kind of wild.    I found it a bit tricky to sew with, but I may have been too cautious by using no iron and no pins.   

Over time, I am interested to see how this new new cork fabric wears.  

Purity Rolls for the kids

In a little flurry of visits from our kids before we head out on our Baltic adventure, I decided to make minestrone soup and home made rolls for lunch.    The house smells wonderful.  

Just look at these....    I just love my old Purity cookbook from the '70's.    

I know some will ask, so here is the recipe..    It says makes 4 dozen, but

if you want large rolls like these, it will only make 2 dozen.  

Sewing but Not Quite Quilting

It's been sort of a funny summer sewing wise.  I can't seem to settle down and get into a large quilt project.    I've been enjoying some knitting, and working on using up some of my fabric stash in various ways.    Have a look..

Saw this great Fabric at Country Crafts and Curtains last week.  
Aurora wants all things Paris in her bedroom.  
I've bought her a few little things, 
and now she will have a Paris themed pillowcase
for her Bed.  She's coming up later this week and will
use it while spending some time with us.

.

using Atkinson Designs, pattern, Stowaway, Aurora now has
a pencil sized case to put her school pens, tape erasers etc.
It's made out of the leftover piece of Paris fabric from
her pillowcase.  

This fall, my grand daughter Emily will be doing some fundraising
 for a school trip. I thought I would help out and make
 a few things.  To start here are 14 simple zipped pencil
case pouches.  I hope to make more things as time goes on.

It's yours truly.   I've always said that I never make myself clothes.
But I was intrigued by this pattern by the So Sew Easy folks.
This is a wrap top pattern. Besides the pdf instructions,
there was an online video.  I didn't mind making it.  I actually like it.
I think I'll make another.   So it's a good lesson for me.
Never Say Never

Does this pillow look bohemian.   I made a cover for a large pillow for
my granddaughter Jessica's dorm room at Dalhousie University
in Halifax this year.  She has a great
wall hanging that this will go perfectly with.

A screen bag for my yarn stash.   I cleaned out my yarn stash last year
only to find myself with a heap of new yarn stash.  This bag will
hold it nicely.   I'm making a rule.   Once this bag is full, I must knit, or
get rid of some yarn before more yarn comes in.

I made a few scarves using a narrow hemmer foot.
Hemmed all 4 sides of light chiffon type fabric.
I made skinny ones, and big shawl size ones.
They will be good to take on our trip that is coming up soon.