Sometimes It's The Little Things

I've been knitting lately - I think because I do it in front of the tv and fan while watching Suits on Netflix. 

A former colleague and his wife are having a baby towards the end of August. The dad, who I knew first, always asked (and seemed interested in) my crafty and quilty creative pursuits. When I asked if they'd like something sewn or knit for their new baby, they asked for something knit.

I looked through my books and found a cute sweater pattern. It fit my criteria - I already had the needles and pattern and it was small so likely quick - so I didn't have to dish out any money for that and not too much time. The pattern is made with a solid yarn and has enough variety in the stitches that I figured it would keep me occupied and interested, but be simple.

The little thing is kicking my arse! I have pulled it back, due to mistakes caused by misreading the instructions, enough times that I would almost be finished by now.

Where my finger is below, is a pretty sizable mistake in the pattern. Then I looked over the pattern more carefully, and realized it was about 2" too long. Of course I didn't notice until I was almost finished the back. The pattern is tricky enough, and I'm only skilled enough as a knitter, that I had to pull the whole thing back to start again.

Then I got the back finished - there is still a mistake, but only I'd notice it.
Then I got started on the left front. I didn't read the instructions carefully, and realized, when I was almost finished, that I read incorrectly again. So I pulled it back. And re-knit some more - and pulled it back again.

I don't know what my problem is with it. Maybe the heat is getting to me. I just was texting with my friend Buttons, about errors vs design choices. I should follow my own advice. However, if I make one more mistake I'm not pulling it back - it either has to work as is, or I'm tossing it.

Q3 Finish

When I joined the Q3 Finish Along a couple of my projects were really small.

These pillowcases are for my nieces for Christmas.

The fabric is Pixie Noel, by Riley Blake. I just love it!! And thanks to my friend Buttons, I got some at a bit of a deal.

The images are the perfect mix of retro and whimsy for me. I got some extra fat quarters to make something for myself for Christmas. I need a new Christmas tree skirt - hmmm.

I hope my nieces love these as much as I do.

Oh, and I used this tutorial for them. They took a little longer than 15 minutes, but not much.

Dresden Update

I've making excellent progress on my dresden quilt. I enrolled in the Finish Along for Q3 and it's one of my goals (left over from Q2). I'm enjoying it and very happy with my results. All the petals are sewn together.

There are a few partials in there - on the left hand side - I like to have a few running off the quilt.

This week I need to get to a fabric store to pick up some solid for the centre. I have Kona watermelon in mind, but I need to see it in person.

I'll keep you posted.

Sunday Stitching

Here's my progress this week.

I'm still happy with it.

I'm linking up to Kathy. You should go read her - she's very thoughtful and insightful about being mindful when sewing.

Q3 Finish Along

I found this Finish Along in March and joined for Q2 - April to June. I only got one of my goals completed - and I'm good with that since there is no penalty for not meeting a goal (other than those we impose on ourselves). There are great prizes available for those who finish and are lucky enough to get chosen as a winner.

This quarter (July - September) I'm entering a few more things for finishes.

In no particular order:

Mittens for me - 1 is 3/4 finished

A cardigan for my oldest niece:

The dresden quilt I was supposed to do in Q2:

And Christmas pillowcases for my nieces (in this adorable Pixie Noel fabric):

I feel like I've given myself a good variety of projects to finish - the pillowcases will be quick - the rest will take more time. A deadline will help (I hope).

I'm linking to the Q3 Finish Along.

A Finish And A Start

I've been working on my Winter Wonderland embroidery all winter. It's coming along nicely. And, honestly, thinking about winter in these hot days helps me stay a little cooler.

I finished off the snowman fight block

It was relatively quick and easy and finished in one week.

I have 2 (or maybe 3) blocks to finish. The remaining blocks are large. I started this one

This is the left side of the block - a tree holding up a clothesline.

I had to do some quilty math first to make sure I could get my blocks cut out of the remaining fabric I had

And I had enough fabric left.

I'm linking up to Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching.

Q2 Finish Along Finish

In early April I joined a finish along - hoping to win some prizes - and get motivated too.
My goal was 2 quilts - 1 for a baby and 1 for me.
I made some progress - the baby one is finished.
Here's my progress:

The baby isn't born yet - the shower was the end of May and the Mommy-to-be loved it. I'm very happy with it, and glad I got it finished.

The quilt for myself didn't go as planned. I just got busy doing other things. The baby quilt was baby sized (about 40"x45") and easy to do - my quilt will be queen sized and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the size (at least I think that's what my problem is). I'll continue to work on it - maybe for Q3 Finish Along?

I'm linking up here - go check out what every one else has finished.

Q2 Finish ALong Finish

In early April I joined a finish along - hoping to win some prizes - and get motivated too.
My goal was 2 quilts - 1 for a baby and 1 for me.
I made some progress - the baby one is finished.
Here's my progress:

The baby isn't born yet - the shower was the end of May and the Mommy-to-be loved it. I'm very happy with it, and glad I got it finished.

The quilt for myself didn't go as planned. I just got busy doing other things. The baby quilt was baby sized (about 40"x45") and easy to do - my quilt will be queen sized and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the size (at least I think that's what my problem is). I'll continue to work on it - maybe for Q3 Finish Along?

I'm linking up here - go check out what every one else has finished.