Fabric Choices

On my sister's blog the past couple weeks, she has gone through the steps of a quick table runner. It only required 2 fat quarters for the top and she mentioned the other day that she's going to make a second one to use as the back so it's a reversible table runner. You can find her posts about it here.

Well, I wanted to play along and either keep the table runner(s) for myself or give as Christmas gifts. I spent a little time last weekend going through the stash and setting aside several fabric combinations. Then Monday evening, I missed the last stair when I was going downstairs and ended up spraining my right ankle - my sewing ankle. Yesterday morning was the first time it felt a bit back to normal and today is even better; perhaps good enough to stand on for awhile, so I can iron and cut some fabrics. If only I could decide which fabric combinations to use! The actually piecing might have to wait a few days until my ankle is feeling better. So, here are my choices. Opinions welcome.

I couldn't get these fabrics to look right no matter where I took the pictures. The middle fabric would be  used as the complimentary fabric. What I can't decide is which fabric to use for the main fabric. I might have to go back to the stash for this one. They all look horrible together in this picture.

For this one, the sewing fabric would be the main fabric. I like the black with it but the beige/tan looks good too. It looks better in person.

I also grabbed this stack of fat quarters from my SIL. She gave me some beautiful fabrics a few years ago and I have finally been letting myself use them. Which 2 to use? I guess I could make more than one.

Then I found these 2 blues that kind of go with them as well. What to do? Any thoughts?

On the Needles Friday - August 24th

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times for another On the Needles Friday. 

It only took me one day this week to make this scarf for one of my nieces. Her birthday was this Tuesday but I didn't get the gift mailed out until today. Oops. My excuse is that I was also able to mail her brother's birthday present, which is in a couple weeks, as well. One gift will be late, one should be on time.

My daughter was kind enough to model it for me.

I hope she likes it. It has a bit of sparkle to it so I thought a 9 year old would enjoy it.

I also cast on another cardigan for me this week. It's the Ditto cardigan and the pattern can be found here.

I also got some work done on the first sleeve of my Berkshire Pullover. I will need to get some dpn's as it getting too difficult to use the 16 inch circular needle. Once I pick those up, I think this should be a quick finish in the next week or two.

FNSI results, finally

Here are my Friday Night Sew-In results. Long story short, my computer was in the shop and it took a couple days to get it going again. But now everything is working. It's nice to be near an Apple store again.

This is what I pieced Friday evening.  I didn't make it to my sewing table until around 9:30 and then it took a while trying to decide what to make. I have a quilt basted and ready to go, but I didn't feel like doing that. And I didn't really feel like ironing or cutting either and I had no projects cut and ready to be pieced. I finally decided on making myself this little mini quilt. Around my quilt area and in my bedroom, I have 5 mini quilts that my sister has made me and I thought it was about time I made one for myself. This fabric looks knitted and came in a Caroler layer cake. I had set it aside to use and had even cut the 10 inch squares into 5 inch squares once, when I thought I knew what I wanted to do with them. I obviously changed my mind and found the little stack of charms when I was unpacking. 

I cut the charms in half again, pieced them, added some white from a jelly roll and called it a night. I have 4 squares of black left and I wasn't sure then what I was going to use them for, but I think I have decided and hope to do that this week.

And here is a peak at my sewing area. Yes, I am in the basement so I probably won't be taking many photos down here. The Iris quilt and Houses quilt are mini's from my sister.

Against the stair wall is a built in shelf that holds books and some fabric and yarn as well. I was going to take a picture of the other half of the basement but that's where the kids play and it was a mess. And it's also where the half-unpacked boxes are sitting too. I'll get to them eventually.

FNSI

So last night was Friday night sew-in. I made a mini quilt top but I'm unable to post a picture today. Hope to get one posted tomorrow or Monday.

On the Needles Friday - August 17th

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times for On the Needles Friday. I have a couple finishes to share this week.

All I had left was the toe of the second sock when I ran out of time to complete them for the Ravellenic games. So close! I finished them during the Closing Ceremonies and took a picture to prove it.

Here they are in daytime light. These will be a gift this Christmas. I debated keeping them but I have 2 other pairs that I am definitely making for myself so thought I'd give these ones away. The pattern is Take a Hike Socks. 

Detail picture. Quick easy pattern. Very easy to memorize.

My other major finish is the Ardara cardigan. I finished it last night, not much before midnight. I admit sharing it today was part of my motivation to finish it. I am so happy with it. The pattern is relatively easy for being a cable pattern. 

I'm going to wash it this weekend and hope that it doesn't fall apart. I forced myself to only work on it this week instead of casting on something new. I have 3 more WIP's I'd like to finish before starting my fall/holiday knitting.

I love the sleeves. 

Also a reminder that tonight is Friday Night Sew-In. Here is my prize from June's FNSI that arrived last week. Between Bobbi being away and me moving it arrived a little late but still very much appreciated. You can sign up here and have a chance at winning a prize yourself. I unpacked my sewing machine this week so I might sneak downstairs tonight and try to get a little something done.

Ravellenic Games Results

As of 7pm, the ravellenic games are over. This was my first time participating and it was fun and not fun all at the same time. I really like knitting and having to rush took some of the fun out of it. I had entered two events : Shawl Sailing and Sock Put. Here are my results.

It took 2 attempts, but I was able to finish the Aullwood shawl. The lace pattern is a little tricky and didn't work well with traveling or hanging out with kids in hotel rooms. After I did 11 rows, I made a mistake and trying to fix it, I dropped a stitch. I can fix a dropped stitch in stockinette but I'm not good enough yet to fix a dropped stitch in lace and I had to start over. I made another mistake my second time around but I kept going. The two lace repeats don't line up as they should but they are only off by 2 stitches and it isn't too noticeable. I was able to finish the short rows in less than a day. 

Here it is wrapped around my neck and the way I am most likely to wear it under my coat this winter.

It's pretty long and hard to get in the frame. I need to reblock it but a quick block was good enough for these pictures.

I was a toe away from finishing the Take a Hike Socks I was trying to make in the Sockput event. So close! If only I hadn't ate, or spent time with my family today. I finished the first sock yesterday afternoon and had 26 hours to finish the second. I should be able to finish it tonight while I watch the Closing ceremony.

Still here

We are now in Michigan. I went days without knitting and my sewing machine is still in its box. Things are starting to get back to normal and I am still under the delusion that I will get the socks on my lap above done before the end of the Olympic games. I finished the shawl but haven't taken any pictures yet. Guess I will need to do that tomorrow.