Sagittaria

Since summer is here, I've started my summer ritual shawl. I cast on during my solstice ritual, but didn't really knit anything that night. I made some progress last night. It doesn't look like much yet, but I have just realized that I've really missed knitting lace.

It has been a year since I did any real lace knitting.




I knit this shawl twice last year, and they were my biggest lace projects ever.

This is the first shawl, which I made for myself (Knit Picks Shadow in Lost Lake Heather, which I think has been discontinued).

I made a second one in different yarn for my mother-in-law's birthday (Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Tide Pool Heather). I wish I had a larger picture. The pattern, if you're interested, is Vernal Equinox Shawl Surprise, and it was a knit-along.

I'll be back with updates on the new shawl as I make progress. I already know I'm going to enjoy this knit.

Lounge pants

Summer. The hot weather is here. I have nothing comfy to lounge around the house in, much less sleep in. So, I made lounge pants. Perfect for PJ's too. Eventually, I'll make a matching top, but for now, I will wear them with tank tops.

The pattern is McCalls 5813. I have another pair cut out, and will add to this post once they're done.

The girl is 8

I make a birthday cake every year for each of the kids. This year, we did a luau themed party for our big girl, who turned 8 in May. I made a chocolate cake and decorated it with plumeria flowers.

It came from outer space

My little guy loves wearing button-down collared shirts. He calls them "work shirts" since his dad wears dress shirts to work. A year or so ago, I bought this fantastic fabric at JoAnn's, and sewed up a short-sleeved "work shirt" for the boy.

The pattern is McCall's 4164.


I think he likes it. He also picked up some pirate fabric, which I made him a second shirt with. I just need him to sit still long enough to take a picture.

She's a wicked witch

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I started this sweater back in February. Not the most exciting knit on the planet, I'm afraid. I have no love for neverending rows of stocking stitch, but the end result is worth it.

The pattern is Wicked, formerly from Zephyr Style, but now available through KnitLulu. It is available in a worsted or laceweight version. I wanted to knit it with fingering, so I don't have to wear a cami with it. And besides, how could I resist sock yarn called Wicked Witch? It was too perfect for me, and for the pattern. My favourite colours, too. I love Knit Picks!

Without further ado, pictures. The only real modification I made was to do six rows of seed stitch on the hems, because I don't like rolled stocking hems. Other than the change of yarn weight, I knit it exactly as stated in the pattern.

Seasonal Shawl Project

I always wear a shawl when I do ritual. Wearing an item I've knit really is something special, but I only have one shawl. It is beautiful, but I wear it at other times too. I decided recently that I wanted to make shawls specifically for ritual. This is what I came up with:

Spring:

Pattern: Echo Flowers
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow Tonal - Springtime

Summer:

Pattern: Sagittaria
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow Tonal - Summer Blooms

Autumn:


Pattern: North Röe
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow Tonal - Gypsy

Winter:

Pattern: Antarctis
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow Tonal - Blue Violet

I'm too late to start the Spring shawl now, since my plan is to cast on at the beginning of each season, so the first one will be Summer. None of the patterns call for beads, but I really want to make some beaded shawls, and since I want these to be special, I'll be adding beads to them. I especially want to bead the Winter shawl - the beads I chose will give it some sparkle, like snow falling in the moonlight. The beads I picked for the Spring shawl will look a bit like dew drops in the morning.

I can't wait to cast on my first shawl.

Art Quilt Tutorial

Here's a brief tutorial for the art quilts I made for my daughter's school. These instructions are for a quilt that measures approximately 65"x72".

Supplies:
White quilter's cotton - 2 yards
Solid coloured backing fabric - 4 yards
Printed fabric - 2 yards
Thread
Quilt batting (cotton is best, but polyester is economical)
Fabric paints

Cutting:
White quilter's cotton - 30 6.5" squares
Solid backing fabric - 20 3.5" squares
Solid backing fabric - 2 45"x90" pieces
Solid backing fabric - 8 yards of 2" wide binding
Printed fabric - 50 6.5"x3.5" rectangles
Printed fabric - 8 45"x3.5" strips

Instructions:

1. Paint white squares with whatever theme you desire. Make sure that the squares have a 1/2" allowance on all sides, because some fabric paints are difficult to sew.


2. When squares are dry, lay them out on a flat surface. Organize them so that they are visually appealing.


3. Sew everything together, using a 1/4" seam allowance. When I made my quilts, I sewed the five art squares across, then the separator strips, then assembled the quilt tops. The order of the piecing doesn't really matter. Do whatever is most convenient for you.


4. Sew top/bottom sashing and side sashing together. Line up centers with the center of the quilt, then trim excess. I sewed on the side sashing first, then the top & bottom.


5. Sew quilt backing pieces together.


6. Lay everything out on a flat surface. I like to pin things down on the floor. First, pin down the backing, then lay batting on top, making sure there are no wrinkles or creases. Next, lay the pieced quilt top down, lining up the center of the quilt top with the seam in the backing. Pin everything together, then baste together.


7. Apply quilt binding.


8. Finish the quilt in your preferred method. I like to stitch in the ditch, but these quilts were hand tied with yarn.