From A - Magic!

While trying to stick to my "shop the stash" mantra, I pulled a couple of Jelly Rolls off of the shelf last week and tried to figure out what they were going to become.

Now I know that pre-cuts are generally looked down upon by "real" quilters but the truth is that when I was first starting out with the whole quilting thing, I bought a lot of them. They made quilting seem easy and manageable. I knew that the fabrics would look nice together when shopping online and it was an easy way to own a small piece of every print from a line that I loved.

In my search for a destination for these jellies, I stumbled on this video tutorial that I am sure that I pinned at some point (I never remember to check Pinterest...must work on that.) A bit more searching and I found actual written instructions for the same block which are much more detailed if that's your thing. Honestly though, I prefer the video as I too want to make a "darling, darling" quilt!

In the span of a couple of evenings, I took a pile of strips

Turned them into "tubes", cut them up

 

and ended up with perfect (and darling) string quilt blocks.

A little bit more cutting this morning, gave me a healthy stack of perfect little blocks.

I forgot how easy and fun sewing with pre-cuts can be. Lately, my available sewing time has been measured in minutes instead of hours. At this rate, I might actually finish this one before the month is out

Magic!!

Linking up to WiP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

From K - Four Finished Knits

Over the past few months I have been knitting up a storm. I love to quilt but there is something so relaxing (and convenient) about knitting on the go, while commuting to work, and while watching my favourite tv shows. Here are a few of the projects I have recently knit up.

Licorice Twist Cowl - Pattern by Heather Love (Ravelry pattern link)

I bought the pattern and yarn for this at the Brooklyn General Store with Amanda when we travelled to NYC last April. It was the first time I have ever knit on circular needles and the first infinity scarf I've made. This cowl adds great texture to my fall basics and I've gotten a ton of wear from it already.

Hermione's Everyday Socks - Pattern by Erica Lueder (Ravelry pattern link)

I made these socks with a close friend in mind (a friend with very small feet I might add!). I love how the texture turned out and I could easily knit this pattern again in the future. For these socks I used Malabrigo sock yarn in the colour Tiziano Red.

Honey Cowl - Pattern by Madelinetosh (Ravelry pattern link)

When we were down in Salt Lake City for Sewing Summit this September, Amanda and I swung by Blazing Needles. I picked up a skein of Malabrigo Arroyo in Regatta Blue and had cast on before my first flight left the tarmac. This one is destined to be a Christmas gift.

Anthropology Inspired Headband - Pattern by Stash Needle Art Lounge (pattern not currently available for sale)

A few weeks ago I took a course at a local yarn store for this headband and was able to finish this up within the 2.5 hr class. It was a perfect introduction to knitting cables and a great way to chat away a Saturday afternoon with some similarly knit minded ladies.

It snowed here for the first time this weekend so I faced it with my head up (wrapped in my new headband of course). I'm grateful that I have a stylish new way to keep my ears warm this winter. I also might be hooked on cables!

I have a few more knitting projects on the go and a million more planned in my head. I'm doing my best to limit my stash to one medium sized box. This box just so happens to be full so I've promised myself not to add more to my yarn stash until I use more of what I already have. I think it's going to become a problem, much like fabric around here... well some say problem... I'm going to say 'opportunity'!

From K - Wordless WiP Wednesday

Making progress on a special Christmas present. The pieces are cut, now to start on the layout.

Linking up to WiP Wednesday at Crazy Mom Quilts.