T is for Tennessee

This is a piece of a patchwork quilt I have started. Can you see the T shape? When I saw that in the pattern book, I thought it looked like a T for Tennessee. So, of course, it had to be orange - that's Tennessee's colour! and I'm quite pleased with it so far.

It will not be a quick result. I pick it up when I feel like doing it and put it down after about an hour because it's hard to keep the pattern right.

I think it will end up as a duvet cover. I prefer those to quilts really, these days.

Have a good week everybody.

Star

A new blanket for winter...

This is a patchwork blanket I'm working on for the winter. Last winter was so cold that I made a note to work a new blanket for this year. I am about half way through it now. I try to stitch the squares together so the stitches can't be seen - not always easy. There is quite a science to blanket making. ha ha. I know I have finished a strip when it stretches the length of the couch. That's when I stop, put the stitches on a stitch holder and start a new strip.

I always leave enough of an end to stitch that particular square to its neighbour, which involves a lot of loose ends, but it is worth it in the end. I usually keep the pattern plain so I can watch complicated TV while I'm doing it and not have to worry about counting stitches.

So it is ideal to pick up when I feel like an easy hour. Slowly it grows and grows and when the winter does come round, I shall be nice and cosy underneath it and Patch will be curled up on top.

As you can see, I'm getting on with the little pink dress, not so little now. I am currently working on the sleeves, then it will be the hem and finally the back opening. I think I will use velcro for that so there will be no hard buttons to dig into the little one's back.

Star

Something pink!

I am in the process of making a little dress for 'Peanut' if she turns out to be a girl. If not, then it will be put by for the next one. This is the yoke. Isn't the material pretty? I have put it together from bits and pieces and I think that when it is finished, it will all come together and be pretty and practical. It is in the early stages but I like to pick it up when I feel like handling something small.

Star

Latest Additions

These are the latest additions to the baby cupboard. I made the dress, the little bonnet and the bootees and my friend Ruth made the matinee coats.

My Knitting Bag

Every knitter must have a knitting bag and this one is mine. I have had this bag for quite a long time and am fond of it. It is good to keep the wool for my current project in here, away from the strong rays of the sun, which would bleach out the colour.

I can keep the needles in here too so I don't lose them and a tape measure for easy finding! There is a pair of useful scissors, just waiting to cut some yarn.

I fold the pattern carefully so as not to crease it and keep a piece of plain paper handy for making notes.

The bag is always ready for action. I can grab it and take it out with me if I want to knit away from home, knowing that everything inside is ready and waiting and I won't have to go search.

All in all a very useful piece of equipment.

Free knitting patterns...

I want to tell you about a website where you can go to get free knitting patterns to download.
Just click on the shawl picture on the sidebar and you will find many delightful and easy projects to make.

Hope you're all having a good week.

Star

Nursery Blanket

It gives me a lot of satisfaction to turn this (above) into this (below).

I've been busy watching the football lately and sometimes I knit while I watch (not the England games though). This is a mixed blessing because I can go wrong in the pattern when the game gets exciting. I had to unpick a section because of that and that has put me even further back.

However, I had to get this blanket finished because next week I return to England.

I have finished the blanket and it is packed in a box ready to go on its long journey.

I think it looks nice and it feels really snug and warm. It was a good way to use up the odd wool which is no longer available.

I shall miss having the blanket over my legs in the evenings.

Star