It's now Olympics time again! Are you enjoying watching the games? It's my favorite thing to do in the evenings when we've finished dinner and cleaned up the kitchen. While I didn't join in on Ravellenics this year, I knit like a fiend while I watch them. So far, I've done a couple of hats to be donated to Halos of Hope, I finally completed one sock of my mystery knit-a-long socks from 2012...now named Kelmscott, by Kirsten Kapur. I started these socks just before my mom became very ill in 2012, and when she passed away, I just wasn't motivated to finish them. I decided since she loved my handknit socks, she would want me to finish them, so I recently picked them back up. I'm halfway through the second sock, and I tend to work on them while I watch Downton Abbey on Sunday evenings. I will post a better picture once they're finished, washed and blocked.
With Stitches West 2014 approaching, I also chose to knit a wrap to take along. It's a really unusual design, L'Enveloppe by Sally Melville, (Ravelry link) with very interesting construction. It's not really a cape, it's not really a shawl, it's not really a sweater, so I just like to say it's a wrap with one sleeve. You can choose either seed stitch, or garter stitch, and I chose the latter. Sally can get a bit 'wordy' in her instructions, which can throw you off a bit, but if you just do exactly what the pattern says, you should be fine!
Here it is in progress, about 90% finished. I hope to have it off the needles this week and blocking. I know it doesn't look like much yet, but it is going to be so nice to wear. I'm using Madeline Tosh Vintage in the colorway Plaid Blanket.
Lately, thanks to Pinterest, and a friend of mine (thank you Ava!), I've decided to start quilting again. It has been years, in fact, I think the last time I did any quilting at all was with my ex mother-in-law probably about 30 years ago. Since it has been that long, I decided to refresh my memory, and with the help of some friends who quilt, I chose to do a table runner for our dining room table. My sister was of the opinion that I should re-decorate in a vintage style since I've already got the dining room set (my mom's from circa 1960), and a pie safe my ex husband and I built that I refinished in a very vintage-y look. I'm loving it much more now that it has a new 'old' look to it, and my table runner will match. It had wire screen in the doors that my husband and I replaced with some copper panels. I'm very pleased with the results!
There are a few things I forgot about quilting, but for the most part, I remembered quite a bit. So far, I'm very happy with my progress, even if my sewing machine has become rather persnickety. It has lost its reverse, but I should have expected it to become cranky after all these years. My son bought it for me in 1991, and like most all things, it was top of the line back then. I was in the middle of sewing his fiance's wedding dresses for her and her bridal party, when my old one gave up the ghost. He ran out and bought me another machine right away, but I have neglected to have it cleaned and serviced like I should've, so it's my own fault. Other than not having reverse, it still sews beautifully though, and while my sweetie of a husband has offered to let me get the newest hot dog out there for sewing (think Bernina), I'm very practical when it comes to things like this. I'm sure it's not anything major with my machine and I will get it over to the sewing center very soon for servicing. Anyway, here's my quilt sandwich table runner that I hope to get quilted and on my table very soon! I just love these fabrics and the colors in them!!
Until next time....have a wonderful start to your week!!!
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