Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Keeping the Momentum Going

DSC_9372

I’d like to take this time to point out that, not only have I cleaned up and organized my office, I also finished my January knitting project when it is only half-way through the month. I finished the Vancouver Fog mitts two nights ago. I think they coordinate well with the neck warmer I made awhile back. Not an exact match, but only a knitter would notice the difference.

DSC_9386

I also started knitting a pair of Norwegian Fisherman mittens. They are HUGE. They will eventually be thrown in the wash and intentionally shrunken to make nice air-tight/water-tight mittens; supposedly Norwegian fisherman wore these mitts on the ships in the 1800s. They’re going to have to shrink bunches or I’ll be donating them to some guy in the NBA.

I also started in on a quilting project late yesterday afternoon. I was fading fast, getting tired, and surfing the web when I noticed Kathleen Tracy’s blog post. She is doing a monthly challenge from her book, Prairie Children and Their Quilts. This month’s quilt is a mourning quilt. It seemed like a sign, right? I’ve decided to play along, and in true pioneering spirit, force myself to only use my scraps and stash; my scraps were the next area of my workspace needing a major cleaning and sorting anyway. I don’t keep large pieces of fabric, so the borders and binding might have to get creative as the year goes on.

DSC_9394

I quickly chose fabrics, started cutting, and before the night was over had four blocks assembled. I hope to finish the top this evening. I like small quilts, I plan to cover the walls in the upstairs hall with them. I’m not sure I’ll get each one layered and quilted each month, but I’d be happy to at least get the tops made.

AND… the news you’ve been waiting for….

the mint/teal mohair will be going to live with WhiteStone! Shoot me an e-mail with your snail mail, please. 

And, in case you were curious, the kid STILL has not asked why I’m wanting random numbers. I’d love to know what he’s thinking.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

oooh! Love your projects :) I tried learning how to knit, but it didn't work out so great lol Maybe I'll try again one day!

thecrazysheeplady said...

Man, you are getting things DONE! I'm thinking about frogging the top half of my mittens. I got sloppy on the corners - well, thought they were too tight, loosened up, now they're sloppy. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

very nice! love the braided cables. And those Norwegian mitts are going to be supertoasty!

Lori said...

Your knitting is beautiful!!
Love your little quilt too. Using scraps is perfect for that style of quilt.

Sheryl W. said...

Sure hope you post a picture of your "small quilts wall" when it's done. Those mitts make wish I knitted.

Michelle said...

Perhaps your son is a closet follower of your blog?

Meredith said...

you said "I don’t keep large pieces of fabric so the borders and binding might have to get creative as the year goes on." Well If you need any large pieces of fabric in reproductions I am happy to share. Just let me know. I think that fits in with pioneer ideals. Sharing or helping others. I like your little quilt idea.

rkbsnana said...

Never learned to knit although I love knitted items. Please post pictures of the player's reaction if you end up donating mitts to NBA player.

rkbsnana said...

Never learned to knit although I love knitted items. Please post pictures of the player's reaction if you end up donating mitts to NBA player.

casacaudill said...

I love those arm warmer and neck cowl! The husband bought me something similar from REI for Christmas but I'd love to someday learn how to knit my own.