Blocks, Markers and Free Yarn

There is more thinking about knitting going on around here than actual knitting. I have only a few knitted baby blocks to show for my efforts. I'm glad I stuffed them with fiberfill and not beans because the toddler decided that throwing them at our heads was an entertaining way to try to get adult attention. Watching television in our house has become a potentially hazardous activity. Such is life with a 2-year-old *sigh*.

I've finished this month's stitch markers and sent them off through the post to my unsuspecting swap buddies. Muahhahahaha. In order to play fair and keep things secret I'll post the photo after the 3rd round is done.

Sign up for your free ball of yarn here. Yes, I said free yarn! Bernat is giving away a free ball of Disco yarn, limit one per household. It's a bulky weight eyelash yarn, and you know how much fun that will be to play with. Go on, get yours now.

Break from Knitting

I haven't really been feeling like knitting lately. I have 2 projects sitting in their baskets by my easy chair just waiting for me to take them up. They are both so close to being complete that you'd think that would motivate me to work on them. Alas, no, I'm afraid that summer weather has taken its toll and soured me on knitting for the moment. I'm still keen to work with other types of fiber, however.

This is a little piece of crazy quilting I made today. It's about 3-1/2 inches square, small enough to make it very quick to finish. So small, in fact, that I didn't bother to dig out the sewing machine or try to find the ironing board. It was a relaxing little hand sewing project that I worked on while supervising the toddler.

What possessed me to work on a miniature hand-pieced crazy quilt block you may ask? Why, to fill the empty 'window' in the cover of my new journal, of course!

I could put a photo of one of my needlework projects in that window, but the idea just doesn't sit right with me. I just can't pass up the opportunity (or is it excuse?) to make a new little piece to fit into the opening perfectly.

I guess I'm a die-hard fiber artist after all.

Gifties in the Mail

I received a lumpy envelope in the mail yesterday from Kelli. I knew that she would be sending me some pictures, but look at what else she sent! Best of all, she made them herself!

See the matching knitting needle roll and zippered notions pouch she made for me? What a wonderful surprise, this is just like having a birthday! Just look at the cool fabrics she used, I absolutely love them!

All I can say is Wow! How did you know it was exactly what I needed? Thank you so much, Kelli, I can't think of a more perfect gift!

August Markers All In

New stitch markers are here! These are the 3rd set I've received for the month of August, and aren't they lovely? Such soothing shades of pinks and blues. See how they blend together yet are each a little bit different so you can keep track of which decrease you're doing in this round.

Thank you, Swap Buddy, they're beautiful and they are some of my favorite colors!

For those who might not know, the Stitch Marker Swap guidelines allow members to choose to have one, two or three swap partners each month for 3 months. I signed up for 3 partners because A. I have a bit of a bead stash to share and B. making stitch markers is an addictive craft-after you've made one set of 4, you just have to make more, and more, and more...

I love the idea of making them for 3 months. I get to try out new ideas each time.

I can't wait to see what September brings!

Is It an Afghan Yet?

The mitered squares became afghan blocks, now the blocks have become an afghan! I chose to use white sashing with little colored blocks in between, as you can see. I still have more to do around the edge but now you can really see how the finished blanket will look. I am pleased with the results so far; for a while there I was afraid it would look a frightful mess when finished hehe.

I want to thank everyone for their wonderful compliments, you've kept me going when I was ready to stuff the darn thing into the back of the closet for the next decade or so!

I was visiting the Lion Brand website to see the new patterns they've posted when the toddler came over to see what I was doing. When he saw the photo for their juggling bags pattern he became very excited and told me 'knittins!' followed by a good paragraph of undecipherable toddler talk. After some gentle questioning, I figured out that he really liked those knitted blocks and wanted me to make some for him. Here is the first, which I've filled with polyester fiberfill and not those plastic pellets or beans the pattern calls for, as I don't relish the idea of getting hit upside the head with a beanbag. It's made of Lion Cotton using size 6 US needles.

See what I got in the mail? My second set of stitch markers for the swap! Aren't they beautiful? What a wonderful shade of green, they make me think of emeralds and dragon scales. There's a little charm there of a ball of yarn with a pair of knitting needles stuck in it that I think is so precious hehe.

Thank you, swap buddy, well done indeed!

Blocks and Sashing

I'm making progress on the baby afghan, as you can see. The squares have been sewn into blocks, and I have started putting the blocks together with sashing. Once I have it assembled I will decide whether I want to add more blocks to make the blanket larger or quit while I'm ahead and finish it with a border.

Knitting with cotton is tolerable in the heat, but only as long as the project is small enough to not cover the lap. I can't imagine working with wooly yarn right now, in fact I have difficulty imagining needing anything warm and fuzzy ever again hehe. It will pass eventually. My tootsies will get cold again someday and I'll be all over the winter yarns. But not today.

Today is day 26 of the heatwave here in California. They say it's going to get hotter before we see any relief. There's even a monsoonal flow from the south to add humidity. I guess I'll be feeling like a limp rag for a little while longer.

Swap Arrival

See what came in the mail today? It's my first set of stitch markers from the swap! Aren't they pretty, err, pwetty? They're just perfect for those projects knitted with smaller needles. As a bonus, some cute little stickers. The toddler thinks they're for him hehe.

Thank you, swap buddy, for a wonderful choice!