Brioche Knitting--Well, Trying.......

Okay, I'm at it again......................................................!  Stephen West came up with a selection of Brioche knitted patterns and I was right there with my charge card--what was I getting into?  I wrote a blog about brioche (What is Brioche Anyway?, Sept 22, 2015).  I just can't resist Stephen's patterns--so creative, colorful and wearable!

I found my fiber--been using this fiber for multi projects--start, rip out, don't like, so the fiber is well aged, that's for sure!

it's a nice fiber and I like the colors and this pattern (Briochevron Scarf) uses two colors.

I began--I cast on--looks like one big mess to me!

okay, go watch some youtube videos--I'm on the right track--just need to 

concentrate for awhile until I've got this stitch under my belt.  After several attempts of

getting this right, I decide to sign up for Nancy Marchant's lessons on

Craftsy--perfect--on sale too!

Doesn't this look so cool?  Maybe, I should have stuck with one color brioche knitting 

before tackling two colors?  

Cyber Fiber '97

Many moons ago, as social networks were just heating up the internet, I joined an internet group of fiber artists that discussed everything from dyeing to weaving, etc. 

We were an eclectic group.............

and a fun time for us as we ventured through the wide world web learning the 

ins and outs of fiber art.

Then, there was the chance to do an art apron challenge

The other day while cleaning out my fiber closet,

I found my apron! 

There was an catalogue with all the aprons, photos, reviews from the

judges and artist statements for each apron.

Here is my artist statement--I know--it's hard to read, but now if you have a 

smart phone or reading from an Ipad, you can enlarge--

we had no such thing in 1997.

My apron was titled--"Mother--still attached"

Our aprons were displayed at International Quilt Festival, Fall, 1997 and

the collection went on tour in various states.

My apron was selected as one of the ones that

was presented in lectures----aren't we all still attached to our

mothers--even though we try to cut those apron strings time and time again.

There is always a way we are mending those ties......

Still Attached to Mother!

Almost There..........................................Bonnie

OH, yes!  It's almost there--just need to add a few touches to call it a complete project!

I'm talking about Bonnie Hunter's 2015 Mystery,  Allietare .  The pattern was free for a few months but now it's a digital download--well worth the $8.

So the final pieces to the puzzle are these corner blocks

one star block with gold centers and the red center blocks were shown in a previous post

The little 'fishy' blocks were used in the red center blocks--I think I could use these in another

quilt with water as the background...................hmm, I'm thinking.............

sorry--did a little aside there

Here it is laid out on the floor.  I always have trouble with diagonal layouts,

so, doing each row at a time is helping and starting from both sides to meet in the middle

is the best for me. 

Yelp, we are almost there................

just a couple of more seams, borders and

it will be off to the quilters! 

You Had Me at Mystery!

This a Mystery KAL for a semi-circular. top-down shawl, designed by  Maria Rosa Spighetti

There will be 3 clues, scheduled as follows:

March, 11 — clue 1
March, 18 — clue 2 
March, 25 — clue 3

This clues version will be free until March, 27 when the full pattern will be released.

Happy knitting!

Frida's Crochet Flower Blanket

Isn't this the prettiest flower basket you have ever seen?  I"m so in awe of this crochet work, which is the handiwork of Jane Crowfoot

What magical needlework................

Jane has designed a new Crochet Along project in association with UK based yarn company Stylecraft. Following the phenomenal success of the Lily Pond CAL project in 2015 the new project will be starting soon!

The new project is called Frida’s Flowers Blanket is inspired by Mexican Folk Art and the colourful dresses worn by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Created in Classique Cotton on 50g balls, this blanket is a combination of 12 rich, intense shades that you will use to make Jane’s exquisite floral designs.

The project is aimed at those looking to improve their skills rather than complete beginners.

Published in 8 fortnightly installments over 4 months all the patterns will be available to download for free from the Stylecraft Web site from Tuesday 5th April

For more information, see: Stylecraft

One Lazy Knitter

I'm one lazy knitter when it comes time to put my needles back in their proper place!

I just place them in one of my container folders, until next time,

I sort through them then

Well, the other day--as I was procrastinating, I decided to sort the needles

according to size--now, isn't that a novel idea!

needles are in their proper envelope in the proper folder

until next time when I finish knitting.................. 

Weaving Innovations Collection

Our March meeting of weavers opened a 'can of worms' when we began to discuss our next topic of study for 2016-17.  There was interest in Bateman Weaves and Echo and Iris Weaves--we were divided--what should it be?

"Dr. William G. Bateman left a legacy of manuscripts he wrote while exploring new weave structures/systems in his retirement years. After his death, his daughter recognized the importance of his work. Virginia Harvey took on the task of publishing his work which resulted in six monographs published in the 1980 s by the Shuttle Craft Guild. This work remains largely unknown or unexplored in the weaving world, and CW has heretofore not had a study group devoted to the Bateman Weaves. Linda Davis and Wanda Shelp formed the Bateman Weaves Study Group in 2010 as co-leaders. The group began in 2011 with Monograph Thirty Seven, Park Weaves, and has subsequently studied all additional five monographs. We have determined sufficient interest to continue with the group at least through 2016 where we will begin again with Park Weaves."  complex weavers  

 Marian Stubenitsky is the author of this fascinating book.  A new book of weaving, explaining many different weaves that can be made in echo- or parallel threading. A unique project, never before published as a book.  Our own shop owner, Tracy, had been corresponding with Marian regarding this weave structure.  Tracy wanted to have some samples on hand for her booth at Convergence.  Marian doesn't sell her pieces but she found other weavers in her area that would supply Tracy with wovens.  The following are the scarves that Tracy received...................What do you think?

Echo and Iris weaving