Carolina Crossroads

Started a mystery quilt, Carolina Crossroads, by Bonnie Hunter. The site with the instructions is at:
http://quiltville.com/carolinacrossroadsmystery.shtml

The yahoo group is at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quiltvillechat/

I am still cutting strips to make my Rail Fence portions. It is gonna be a scrap quilt, with tan for the neutral and black for the accent. I had to buy the black (3 yds.), and I bought the tan because it was on sale for $2 a yd! It is a nice tea-dye look tan. I got 10 yds, because I never seem to have enough neutrals.

I will be posting pics as I go along, but it isn't very exciting at the moment. I will also be posting pics of other projects, as I am no longer making the drive to Duluth for work!!! Yay!! It took a friend of mine 2 hrs to get home on Tuesday because of the snow, instead of her usual 20 minutes.

Well, fiber fiends, I am back to the cutting board.

Cathy B

Starting a new job

Well, tomorrow I start my new temporary job. It is office work, which I have done before. But working at the family business has its perks. I sleep in if I have been up late. I can start my work (computer stuff) in my jammies before I go out to the shop. And I don't have to drive in the snow.

The new job will be 8 to 5 office attire. Better make sure I've got the clothes ready. And that I get to bed on time. I feel like a kid starting at a new school!!!

I'd rather stay home and knit. But I will survive. Probably even like it.

Later!

Time Goes So Quickly!!!

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since I posted. Ill health has taken a big chunk of my summer. And we are 'restructuring' our business (amazing how much time making puppets can take!!) I have a store on etsy.com (threadbenders.etsy.com), and am in awe of how much time it takes to promote stuff. How can I be MAKING things to sell if I spend all my time promoting my stuff? What a quandary. If you get a chance to look at my store, let me know what you think. I am still wanting to 'fill' it, but am just so busy!!

As if that isn't enough, I had told a friend last spring that I would fill in for one of her co-workers this fall when she goes in to have her baby. Fall is here!!! And they are taking the baby early, so I start work on Thursday.

Anyway, I will be needing my fiber stuff to keep me sane over the next 2 months. And my fiber groups!!

Here is the pic of the dishcloth cotton Fishies Afghan I made. It has been done for more than a month, but.....I really have no excuse for not posting the pic! lol

The Fish-Along is still going on at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BitsandBobs2-SpecialProjects/

Come see us. It is a great project for using up your little bits of yarn.

Cathy B

Blue Jeans and Flannel Shirts quiltalong

Hi all! As if I didn't have enough to do, we are starting a quiltalong on Monday July 16th for the quilt pictured here. It is called Blue Jeans and Flannel Shirts, and you can make it out of those materials. But you can also see the table runner I made out of cottons! Love this pattern. The quiltalong is on the Bits and Bobs group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs

The pattern is available for free at this link:
http://www.puppetsandprops.com/BlueJeans.html

If you would like the 32-page pattern booklet with full-size photos and expanded coverage and ideas, it is $6.95 including shipping in the continental US, actual postage added for international orders. Contact me at: cathy@threadbenders.com.

Take care!

Cathy

Stuff besides Fishies!

Yes, I am a Fish-Along-er. But I do other stuff too. Here is a picture of a quilt I did for a friend of my daughter. I have never met the girl, but she just had her first baby, a girl, and she and her husband don't have mothers. No grandma's!!! So I had to make her a grandma quilt. It is called Cobblestones, and I really like the low contrast colors. They are the colors she has chosen for the baby, so I actually had to buy fabric instead of working my stash. But I do like it. Do you?

Cathy

Here is the week 3 progress report for the Fish-Along. I have done 73 tropical Fishies! It took me almost as much time to lay out the fishes as to knit one!

Well, take care all!

Cathy

Fishies Hummm

Here is a little fishies song in the manner of Winnie the Pooh's little hums:

Love them little fishies
Swimming in a row
Love them little fishies
Only 99 to go.

Swimming on the table
Swimming on the floor
Swimming on the ceiling
I've got to make some more.

When I lay my head down
On my pillow in my bed
The fishies keep on swimming
In my dreams, in my head.

Everybody loves them
They want to join along
So we all can sing a friendly
Little swimming fishies song.


Enjoy!

Cathy

Fish-Along Progress Report Week 2

Love these little fishies! This is a photo of my pile at the end of week 2. Pretty good, considering we had out-of-state visitors and tons of Real Life work to do. The original Fish-Along grew so fast on the Bits and Bobs group that we started a sister group--B&B2. You can join through the regular Bits and Bobs group (link under the Fishes Afghan to the left).

There are 28 fishies in the pile. I am gonna knit them all before I start seaming them together, so I can have a certain color balance.

I think I need about 120...not sure yet.

Take care!

Cathy

Braided Crochet Seaming

I have been asked for instructions for the seaming I used on the Fishies Afghan pictured to the right. The link for instructions, including photos, is at:

http://www.puppetsandprops.com/Files/CBBC.pdf


The Fish-Along is going great! Lots of fishes, lots of enthusiasm.

Not too late to join us!

Cathy

Correction to Artichoke Trio

I am soooo grateful to Carol for finding a typo in the pattern. On row 37 there is an extra k2, repeated twice, which could really goof up your count! The pattern below is corrected, so please re-print it if you are going to knit the dishcloth, and throw away the old one.

Thanks again, Carol!

Cathy

Aqua Sky

Believe it or not, knitting is not the only thing I do! Here is a pic of a wallquilt I did last year called Aqua Sky. It was a challenge using 'ugly' fabric, which is the hills in the background. It is all done in raw edge applique. It measures about 2 feet across. The beads on the hanger are Mexican pottery from the 1950's. Love 'em! The clouds are cotton roving. My DH snagged it to hang over his computer desk. Nice to be appreciated!

Everyone ready for the Fish-Along starting on Friday? Info at the link to the left under the fishies afghan pic.

Take care!

Cathy

Closeups of pics

If any of you would like to see closeups of the pictures, to see more stitch definition, just click on the photo....it will open up a bigger pic.

Cathy

Artichoke Trio Dishcloth

Hi all! Boy, the Bits and Bobs yahoo group is growing like crazy. I think everyone is excited about the Fish-Along fish afghan KAL we are gonna start next week. If anyone else would like to join us, come to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs/.

I have a new dishcloth pattern I did this past week. I am quite fond of it.

Artichoke Trio Dishcloth


Dishcloth cotton
Size 6 needles

(MB) means make border—at beginning of row, k1, p1, k1, p1. At end of row, p1, k1, p1, k1
K2tog means k 2 stitches together

Cast on 41 stitches
Work seed stitch for 5 rows--k1, p1, ending with k1

Row 1-(MB) K across to last 4 stitches (MB)
Row 2- and all even rows-(MB) Purl to last 4 stitches (MB)
Row 3- (MB) K across to last 4 stitches (MB)
Row5-(MB) k10, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k10 (MB)
Row 7-(MB) k11, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k11 (MB)
Row 9-(MB) k12, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, k12 (MB)
Row 11- (MB) k11, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k11 (MB)
Row 13- (MB) k10, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k10 (MB)
Row 15-(MB) k11, k2, yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k2, k11 (MB)
Row 17- (MB) k10, k2, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k2, k10 (MB)
Row 19- (MB) k11, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k11 (MB)
Row 21- (MB) k12, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k12 (MB)
Row 23- (MB)k13, yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k13 (MB)
Row 25- (MB) k2 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k3* Repeat from * to *, ending with k2, (MB)
Row 27- (MB) k3 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k5* Repeat from * to *, ending with k3, (MB)
Row 29- (MB) k4 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, k7 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k4, (MB)
Row 31- (MB) k3 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, k2tog, k5 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k3, (MB)
Row 33- (MB) k2 * s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k3 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k2, (MB)
Row 35- (MB) k3 * k2, yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k7 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k5, (MB)
Row 37- (MB) k2 * k2, yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k5 * Repeat * to *, ending with k4, (MB)
Row 39- (MB) k3, * yo, k2, s1k1psso, k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k5 * Repeat * to *, ending with k3, (MB)
Row 41- (MB) k4 * yo, k2, s1k1psso, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, k7 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k4, (MB)
Row 43- (MB) k5 * yo, k2, s2tog as if to knit, k1, p2sso, k2, yo, k9 * Repeat from * to *, ending with k5, (MB)
Row 45-(MB) k10, s1k1psso, k2, yo, k5, yo, k2, k2tog, k10 (MB)
Row 47- (MB)k across (MB)
Row 49- (MB) k across (MB)
Work 5 rows of seed stitch—k1, p1, ending with k1
Bind off.

© COPYRIGHT 2007 All Rights Reserved by Cathy Brose-please do not post this pattern to another list, or sell for profit. It is perfectly fine to post the link to this pattern.

As always, feedback is much appreciated. Take care!

Cathy

BitsandBobs yahoo group

I have received a lot of inquiries about where to get the Fishes Afghan pattern. It is available, for free, in the files of the Bits and Bobs group. This group is for using up stash and bits and bobs of yarn, fiber, fabric, and beads. The link is at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs

This is a small but fun group. It is growing fast, and we hope to have a lot more activity. We are discussing a KAL for the fishes afghan, which I am going to do in dishcloth cotton, or cottonease. I haven't decided which yet. The date I suggested for start is June 15th, then a leisurely knit until the end of summer. I am one of the moderators on the group, so I am quite fond of it!

Take care!

Cathy

PS: I just got my first email from my mom! My sister just taught her how!

Definitely Diagonal Stole finished!!

Hi all! Wow, 2 patterns posted on the same day! I finished the Definitely Diagonal Stole, and I do love it. It is a great pattern for stash-busting, and also because it is adjustable for both petite and ample women. And, there is no shawl-point directing attention to the posterior!!

I hope you all enjoy this pattern, and as always, comments are appreciated!

(Yes, that is me with no makeup, and with my eyes closed. You are supposed to be looking at the Stole!!)

Definitely Diagonal Stole

I used size 8 32-inch circulars

20 oz. stash yarn--I sorted my worsted weight light and medium colors. It works better if you have a yarn 'theme'. Pastels, earthy, darks, jewel tones, or monochromatic. Cut all the yarn into pieces from 12 inches to 3 yds. Tie them LOOSELY end to end and roll balls. As you get to each 'knot', untie it, knit 4 stitches using both strands. This is an easy way to make your color transitions. Periodically, pull all of your yarn ends to the wrong side. Even rows are wrong side.

4 oz. anchor yarn. My anchor was a smoky gray worsted weight. This makes the shawl look more put together, less 'knit in a dark closet'! lol This is all done in garter stitch.

Cast on 1 stitch with stash yarn.

Row 1: Knit in front and back of same stitch. This is KFB, and is your increase stitch.

Row 2: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. KFB.

Row 3: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. KFB. Knit 1.

Row 4: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. Knit to last 2 stitches. KFB. Knit 1.

Repeat row 4 until you have done 30 rows. Then attach 'anchor' yarn and continue in pattern of increasing by KFB at end of each row for 6 rows.

The pattern now will be 30 rows of stash yarn, 6 rows of 'anchor' yarn, then repeat. Do this until one leg of the stole measures 24 inches. (If you want the stole more narrow, have this measurement be how narrow you want it) A leg is the part of the stole NOT on the needles.

When you get to 24 inches, end on an even-numbered row.

On next row, an odd-numbered row, slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, and place marker. Knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG (decrease). K1.

Even-numbered rows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, knit to last 2 stitches. KFB (increase). K1.

Odd-numbered rows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG. K1.

Repeat these two rows until the long edge of the stole measures 75 inches. You will know when to increase and when to decrease by your little marker. If the marker is there, increase. If the marker is not there, decrease.

At the same time, you are gonna keep up the color changes between stash yarn and 'anchor'yarn, 30 rows of stash, 6 rows of anchor.

When the stole measures 75 inches, work each row as follows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK. Knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG. K1. Remove marker when you come to it.

Keep decreasing until you get to 2 or 3 stitches. K all together. To finish, either weave in all your little ends (oh my!) or cut the ends, all pulled through to the wrong side, to about 1/4 inch. I dab a little soft fray check on ends to keep them on the wrong side if I am working with acrylic, as it tends to slip. Just a LITTLE bit. Wool sticks to itself enough to not be a problem usually.

Anyway, enjoy! If there are any questions, comments or corrections, please let me know.

© COPYRIGHT 2007 All Rights Reserved by Cathy Brose-please do not post this pattern to another list, or sell for profit. It is perfectly fine to post the link to this pattern.

Meringue dishcloth pattern

Hi all! I finished a dishcloth pattern last week, and want to share it with you all. It is called Meringue, because of the peaks in the rows. Let me know how y'all like it.

Meringue Dishcloth

1 ball dishcloth cotton

size 6 or 7 needles

gauge doesn't matter--it's a dishcloth!

MB means 'make border'--knit 4 stitches

Cast on 41 stitches

Knit 5 rows

Row 1-(MB) *K2, YO, K2, S1K1PSSO, K2TOG, K2, YO, K1* Repeat from * to *, to last 4 stitches (MB)

Row 2-(MB) Purl (MB)

Row 3-(MB) *K1, YO, K2, S1K1PSSO, K2TOG, K2, YO, K2 * Repeat from * to *, to last 4 stitches(MB)

Row 4-(MB) Purl (MB)

Repeat rows 1 through 4, 12 times

Knit 5 rows.

Bind off.

© COPYRIGHT 2007 All Rights Reserved by Cathy Brose-please do not post this pattern to another list, or sell for profit. It is perfectly fine to post the link to this pattern.

I also am almost finished with my Definitely Diagonal shawl--actually, a stole. I will get the picture and instructions for that done tomorrow.

So much fiber, so little time!!

Cathy

Stepping Stones dishcloth

Just finished the May midmonth dishcloth KAL. I like it quite a bit.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MonthlyDishcloths is the groups this pattern is from. Love that group!

I have been working on too many projects! Need to get some FOs done. Let's see.....a shawl that is almost done, just need to weave in the ends. That would give me a sense of accomplishment, even though I won't need to use the shawl until next fall, I think. But it would be another picture to put up, and a free pattern for y'all to use, if you would like. I will try to get that done tomorrow.

Take care!

Fishy Afghan Done!!

Fishy Afghan Done!!! Hi all! So much for good intentions to post each day. Life interferes, doesn't it? Anyway, I finished the baby Fish Afghan I was working on. It turned out beautifully, and the young woman I made it for is thrilled. The best part is, she GETS it. The hours of my life put into the afghan, the love as I thought of her first baby, the fact that I would only put this much time (and money) into this project for VERY few people, people who GET it and appreciate what knitting means. Other people get stuff from Penneys! lol My young friend is also knitting her first sweater, a baby sweater, for her coming baby. She is working from a 1950 Bear Brand pattern, and I am helping her. A knitting mentor! It is working out really well, and she is thrilled.

On the subject of GETTING it, I took a load of stuff up to Goodwill this morning, and there was a pile of knit and crocheted afghans on a table, obviously all by the same person. Perfect workmanship, lovely colors. And marked at 2.99 each. So sad. I left them there, as I don't need any more afghans, and I know some young person with very little money will be excited to get them. But still, so sad. So many hours of the creator's life, not to mention the cost of the yarn. Makes you think, huh?

First Posting

Hi all! This is my first post on my first blog! Technology catches up with us all, doesn't it? This week I have been working on a baby Fishes Afghan. The pattern can be found on the Bits and Bobs yahoo group. It is a group for using up the small bits of yarn, fabric, beads, and whatever else you have in projects that look really good! The colors didn't come out well in this photo. The yellow and purple are accurate, but the blue should be a greenish teal. Yummy!

I have also been working on the Heartbeat Sweater with the Ample Knitters group on yahoo. Doing it in ww cotton, which I know will stretch out. I am going for the tank-top under, slouchy-off-the-shoulder look, to wear with capris this summer. I will post a photo when it doesn't look so much like a giant dishcloth!

Will write more tomorrow!