What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

One of the really hard things about living with my daughter’s Anorexia is the not knowing what will happen day to day, each week, months or even years ahead. I had to make the enormously difficult decision to cancel a planned teaching trip to Bernina India because  in January she could be at the same stage, in hospital or hopefully maybe in recovery but there is just no way of knowing. 

I have to confess that I am finding it difficult not to be “busy”, trying to fit as many multiple projects and thoughts into 24 hours as I ...

Recently I was asked to make several baby tag blankies – some in pink and some in blue. This really is such an easy project and a great gift idea.

I promise, the blog will not become all socks, all the time. Even if it feels like it right now. Sitting down to learn a new skill takes time and dedication. You won't get good at something doing 15 minutes of it once a month. You have to practice consistently to get good at something. Crafting is like that, too. I've focused a great deal on the machine sock knitting, and I think I've learned the basics well enough to somewhat reliably get a sock when I try to make one. Not all the time, but most ...

Life is far from normal at present – it is challenging trying to not make everything about my daughter’s struggle with Anorexia. We are attending medical appointments at least twice a week in a desperate attempt to keep her out of hospital. Normally an ill child should be getting well in hospital but in the case of this illness that could be the worst thing. It could mean being sent to a secure unit away from home with limited family visits and fed forcibly under sedation without taking into account my daughter’s strict vegan diet. 

We had to attend ...

A small retreat awaits me come Labor Day so I wanted to do some prep.  Most of my Works in Progress are not travel worthy – they are at the point that there’s too much thinking or I’m just not motivated to work on them. Interesting how when I begin my projects I’m SO excited and then, WHAM! Somewhere along the line I lose that enthusiasm. Fortunately, I tend to regain it later, sometimes even years later and manage to complete the project!

I recently purchased a kit on clearance and knew it was perfect for retreat. It ...

All aboard the sock train!

I know I'm sock obsessed. It's summer. I don't want to go outside. I don't want to sweat. I would rather sit in the air conditioning and knit socks. At least I'll be ready for gift giving this winter.

Contrast heels and toes

• Cranked socks: 2 pair (one still needs the toes closed up)
• Hybrid socks: almost 1 pair (partially cranked and partially hand-knit)
• Hand knit socks: 1 pair

Finally!! This Round Robin project has been around forever! There was only one border remaining for me to do but I just couldn’t decide. At first I was so sure it was to be yellow.  I even sewed one strip on only to see it wasn’t the right one. Not much unsewing, so that was okay. Lots of auditioning and finally decided on a black and white print. I was also determined to use something from my stash!

I didn’t like all one plain border – just didn’t seem to go with all the other rounds that ...

My first pair of cranked socks are almost done.

After returning from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I decided I wanted a circular sock knitting machine. I wanted one enough to do some internet research, choose Erlbacker Gearhart to manufacture my machine, and lay down the substantial amount of money required to buy a reproduction machine manufactured in the United States. What I wasn't expecting, in this Amazon-will-have-that-to-your-door-tomorrow world, was the long lead time. Once I started investigating the lead time, I learned most people were saying 8-10 weeks. Then, when I started asking people in circular sock knitting groups when they had ordered their machines -- and ...

Have you ever just wanted to sew, sew, sew?! No complex cutting, no pinning, and especially no thinking! That’s exactly how I felt a few days ago.  I dug through my charity quilt bin and pulled out pretty strips that a reader donated last year. They were not full strips, some really short, some half strips and the full length ones I cut so I would have all varying sizes.  I wanted some sort of accent in there so I cut 2 x 2 1/2″ black and white blocks to put between each strip.

And next?  I sewed ...

On Monday I shared my Awaiting Fulfillment Socks. Today, I'm going to share the sock yarn I bought to be ready for that sock knitting machine.