A patchwork apron

While I was in America recently, I was inspired to buy some pretty American style fabric. It's hard to quantify just what makes it look so American, apart from the obvious wording on it, of course.  It is something to do with the colours perhaps.  I'm not quite sure.  Anyway, these colours and patterns appealed to me so they went in the shopping cart.

When I got home I wasn't sure what to make with the pieces.  Then I thought 'why not an apron'.  There was just enough fabric and I knew I wouldn't have time to do a full quilt before I returned to England.

So here it is.  It's reversible.  On the back it is plain and a nice rich maroon colour, which I think blended very well with the flowery pattern on the front.

I have an abstract mind so one pattern wasn't enough.  I had to have two and make them as complicated and interesting as I could, in an abstract way.

Do you like it?

A Giveaway from Rocknquilts

Giveaway @ Rocknquilts

http://rocknquilts.blogspot.com/2011/03/100th-post-give-away.html 


Rocknquilts is celebrating her 100th posts with a giveaway with FOUR Mosiac patchwork patterns inspired by the Alhambra Palace.

All you have to do is follow her Blog and make a post like this one for the Giveaway.

A Cobweb Shawl

This is my latest project, a cobweb shawl.  I'm about three quarters through it now and hoping to finish it before I go back to England.

When I'm not knitting, I put it away in this lovely basket, which I bought at Cracker Barrel.

The wool I am using is Pampas Linen Look. I don't think it's available anymore, but I like it.  It has a cotton feel about it so I thought it would be just perfect for the cool summer evenings.

The colour is more like the balls in the picture above.  The first two pictures make it look too dark.

I already have a waistcoat in this wool and these balls were left over.  I hope I have enough to finish it!  I'll let you know about that...

Grandma doll

This is a grandma doll I am making for my friend.  We have known each other since we were five years old and now that we are both grandmas, I think it is time to mark the occasion.

First I made the body and then the clothes.

She has removable knickers, petticoat, skirt, blouse and apron and I've only just finished the mop cap.

I left some wrinkles in her cheeks!

Now she needs a hat.

and some shoes.

Now she's finished, she needs a home so I'm sending her off to England where my friend Sue has a birthday next week!

I think she looks happy enough to be going, don't you?

Balaclava Helmet

I made this Balaclava helmet for Larry to wear when he goes out star-gazing.  It gets very cold on the tops of those hills, under the stars!

Here is the back view.

The wool used is Sirdar's double knitting, which is a medium weight wool. Needles used were English, sizes 4mm and 3.25 mm.

Here is news of a Giveaway:

Stray Stitches giveaway - 400+ followers

Linda at Stray Stitches is having a 400+ followers giveaway. Lot of colors and flowers!

Have a lovely weekend folks.

Baby's sleeping bag

This is my current project - a sleeping bag for a baby.  I've chosen Christmassy colours because it seemed appropriate for the time of year.  Red always makes me feel warm so hopefully it will have the same effect on baby.

The wool I'm using is a double-knit (Worsted in America) and two colours, red and white with just a hint of brown. English needle sizes 10 and 7 so it will knit up quite loose.

So, a nice way to spend the winter evenings.  When the snow is gone I shall go to town and buy a 20 inch zip to put down the front.

What are you currently working on?

A Christmas Jumper

I have just completed a winter woolly jumper for my grandson, Dylan.  I chose a bright, pillar-box red yarn because it looks so warm and with temperatures at -2 deg. Celsius today, he could probably do with an extra layer to keep him warm.  He's only five weeks old today.

The camera seems to choose its own colours sometimes, particularly when I'm taking red items.  In the next picture, although it is the same jumper, it looks more pink than red.  I don't know why that is, must be something to do with the lighting. In any case, it has a nice sort of a glow, doesn't it.