Wooly update

This last week has been working with wool, both wool applique and knitting.
First up, I stitched the fifth Moon Garden block, from Primitive Gatherings, a BOM. So I am all caught up. No new stitches for me with this one. I love the fly stitch down the center of each petal, at least to look at, my hand got sore pulling the needle through, although the Colonial knots through several layers of wool was harder yet.

To take a hand break, I worked on the first of Shabby Fabrics Wooly Mug Rugs, a new one is available each month, to make for the following month. I just found them, so made the January block to use next February. I did learn a new stitch with this project, the little scalloped edging around the heart, AKA the scroll stitch.

Then, knitting, I am still working on the Feather Chic sweater, started the front, although the back is not done yet. I wanted something I could stick in my purse when I went to Santa Cruz Shakespeare. It was a lovely long weekend spent down there, and we took in three plays, Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", "Loves Labours Lost", and David Ives' "Venus in Fur". A gem of a company almost in our back yard. While it is only about 30 miles away, we opted to spend the weekend there. Along with theatre, we discovered Kelly's French Bakery, the Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard tasting room, and rediscovered Lundberg Glass studio. All in all, a lovely weekend.

Sitka Quilt top and other things

A long time ago, the June before our 25th wedding anniversary, and we just celebrated 36 years of wedded bliss, Paul and I went on a cruise to Alaska. I went to as many quilt shops as I could find, and in beautiful Sitka I found this quilt kit. It languished, as so many of my kits do. I got it cut out a few years back, and it continued to languish. Recently I started using it as leader/enders for other projects. It finally got to the point where I said, let's just finish it! So, I got it to the top stage yesterday, finishing just after midnight. The kit even came with backing and binding! So the next step is basting it. That might take a while to get around to.

Also last week I got the August blocks finished for Patchwork Barn. With the picture I can start assembling some of the columns, it is a strippy quilt.

The Quilt Pattern Magazine recently started a new Block of the Month-My Favorite Things. It is essentially a small-ish Redwork quilt, but I am doing mine in blue. I thought about using just white Kona as the background, but didn't like it after I started it. Then I thought grey! I noticed a wonderful piece of grey background, so I am using it. I am not sure what I got it for originally, but this won't take too much of it. The first two blocks are done now, waiting for the next installment in September.

And I finished Ulysses by James Joyce! We still have a few more meetings of the discussion group, so I will review the chapters for that, but actually, I think the earlier chapters make more sense once you have read the later ones.
The Feather Chic sweater is coming along, the back is about 2/3 done now. I am trying not to cast on anything else until this is done. Although I really want some socks on needles. But I have been resisting the temptation, so far.

Tuesday update - 14 August 2018

The big news this week is that I finished my "Goblin King: a Labyrinth quilt"!

This was a quilt along with Fandom in Stitches 2017. I wanted the black fabric to look like a stone wall, and the walkway to be pebbled. Thanks to Lori Kennedy's tutorials (The Inbox Jaunt), I think I succeeded.

I am still working away on the Moon Garden BOM, and got month four done over the last couple of weeks:

This is a Primitive Gatherings/Lisa Bongean BOM. I just got month 5 in the mail, but won't start it until I get caught up (again) with the Patchwork Barn BOM. Cutting out the rest of August's blocks now.
Then I have been knitting. I finally finished the scarf I have been working on for months, off and on, mostly off. This was the leftover yarn from my Old Shale Shawl I made last year, using a Caron Big Cake (Blue Macaron).

And I finished a pair of simple socks. These were knit on size 00 needles, using a skein of Opal's Harry Potter yarn (Harry and Ron colorway) from a long time ago. It was released along with the Goblet of Fire movie. I still have several skeins to go.

I have been trying to make my way through James Joyce's "Ulysses", hence all the handwork, my book club meets this Thursday, one long chapter to be discussed, so more knitting in my future. I read about the chapter, then listen to the chapter, sometimes following along in the book, sometimes doing handwork. It has been on my bucket list, but I will be so glad when I am done! Currently knitting on my Feather Chic sweater (cast on this week).