Manx Quilting

No matter how long I've been quilting--or sewing squares together, there is always room to learn about other cultures/countries quilting techniques.  Manx Quilting from the Isle of Mann caught my eye

What makes these simple log cabin squares different?

The construction is made on a background square/foundation

fabric, and stitched all around by hand using one long

thread; then the folding technique creates a layer of warmth-

hence, no batting is needed.  

Read about this interesting way of making a quilt--and you

might want to give it a try.

check out Diary of a Quilter how to as she makes a small quilt using this technique.

Years ago, I learned from a super great quilter, Anita Murphy how to make a reversible quilt -
her techniques allowed you build on one square at a time as you assembled your blocks--no need to head to the quilters table.  Anita wrote several books on this topic--I loved Anita's way of quilting and made at least two quilts using the Revisible method.

A Little Sewing--A Little Catching UP

Well, it's about time!  I've been neglecting my quilt blocks--

too many other things to do that are fun as well....

This is block one of three for January (yes! January!)

A Quilting LIfe always has interesting BOM (blocks of the month)

sew alongs.  This year's blocks are made with half square triangles-

once you decide on the size of your block--just make a 'ton' of

half square triangles--it takes 12 for the block size I've decided on.

Second block of January's three--I'm still sewing half-square

triangles for block 3--it takes time to cut the blocks, mark

the sewing lines, sew, cut, square up.

this block is for Pat Sloan's' Flower Bouquet BOW--

Block of the Week!  Each Wednesday she has a different

block for your sewing pleasure--she is one busy

designer!

One Wednesday's instructions gave us the

setting blocks--need 11 of one and 13 of the 

others--those are all done!  Nine patch went together

nicely, as I had many 2" squares already cut in

my scrap bin--of course, the other blocks needed--

you guesses it--half square triangles--but, this size was

just perfect for my paper sets from Quilting and Whatnot

Another Wednesday block--oops!  Something

is wrong with this one--

This is the correct setting for this block!-

some ripping..............

January and February blocks from Sentimental Quilter

She's Kathleen Tracy's Small Quilt Lovers on Facebook.

Blocks are 4" finished--great fun to make, if you can

do small! 

Yarn Twist Problem................

I finally decided to begin on this knit along--love Toni Lorenz's patterns--

you can find her in "Knitting in the Loft" group on Ravelry.

I have been looking forward to this sampler--

I settled on my handspun "Phoebe" blend from Sky loom Weavers

It spun up beautifully!  knits up nice and soft--

One Problem!

I began the ruffle and look what's happening!  It's leaning to the right--

well, that's my fault!  I didn't set the twist in the yarn after I

spun  and plied it.  I just got excited to begin--wound it off

to ball and took it to needles--  when I saw this happening, I

immediately cut the yarn and skeined it off

After it's skeined, you can see how the twist

is uneven--mistakes can always be made when you

are spinning--and I've been spinning for 30+ years!

The object is to take the yarn off your bobbin, skein it

and have a perfectly balanced yarn--

Here's how I set the twist--I soak the yarn skeins in

warm water, wring them out and use two hangers to 

put weight on the skeins to set the twist--when

they dry--I'll be back in business!  to knit with

perfectly set yarn!

I settled on my handspun "Phoebe" blend from Sky loom Weavers

Victorian Knitalong

Well, I have two weeks under my knitting needles on this

interesting look at 19th century knitting.  Franklin Habit with

Markers Mercantile has given us a unique knitting experience.

the first clue--ugh!!  I ripped about 5 times before I finally

got what I was missing.  There are several videos on the

ravelry group's page--but, let me tell you--it wasn't 

easy to get those steps into my brain!

I even changed yarn three times--

Finally!!  I got it!  after the fifth time!

This is going to be really neat--waiting on the

next clue.

Boost Your Knitting

Arnall-Culliford Knitwear is hosting another year

to Boost Your Knitting skills.  I participated last year

and am looking forward to another round of

knowledge from these talented designers/knitters.

The techniques included are:

Brioche Knitting, including increases and decreases

Choosing colors for stranded colorwork

Tubular cast-on method in the round

Dip stitches

Double knitting, including decreases

Finishing techniques for toy knitting

Gusset short row heel for toe up socks

Intarsia in the round

Joining in yarns for colorwork

Marlisle

Tuck Stitches

The program begins March 1. You can also find their group

on Facebook and Ravelry

Now, For Something Completely Different--and Entertaining!

Enjoy!!

Spin Along--Knit Along

Beginning February 13, you can jump into

Namaste Farms/Redding Method will have a SAL and KAL-- this 5 week spinning and knitting extravaganza is being held so that people who don’t knit, can learn! The program has been expanded to include spinning yarn and dyeing a simple solid single too. All the instruction is FREE and will take place on their Facebook group, Redding Method.  If you knit but don’t spin,  you'll learn a simple method to make yarn on a chopstick.  If you crochet but don’t knit, you can learn to knit.  If you spin but don’t dye, you'll learn how to dye.  All you have to do is join and show up to Redding Method and get the relevant information such as links etc…

The ultimate goal of this project, besides inviting people to learn and become more skilled in fiber arts, is to have a finished project. The project we’re doing is a simple hat.  There will be at least 5 free patterns to choose from and those will be listed in Redding Method in the files section.