Thursday, June 14, 2012

On my needles

It seems like ages since I could sit down and blog, we had a long weekend and lots of family visiting so I've been snatching moments to play with my projects.
I've been knitting with gorgeous Noro Kureyon wool to make squares for an afghan. I've become sensitive to wool and can't wear it as a garment but I do like to play with knitting needles.
The changes in the colours are just delicious especially when I knit the squares from the outside and inside of the balls every so many rows.
You probably recognise the pattern as the Lizard ridge, free at knitty.com.
The bubbles have been likened to wee boobies but when the blocks are blocked or washed, they disappear. I may not even block them because they look so good.
I spent the whole day yesterday at the Sydney quilt show and still didn't see everything. I did catch up with some favourite people and picked up some loot. I bought Brigitte Giblin's book from the Quiltmania stand. There is a quilt in there that I'm mad for. Brigitte has started a blog which gives a whole lot of valuable information about the quilts she has in the book and how to's on English paper piecing.
I could have bought at least four books at that stand but settled on this one by Reiko Kato because it has lots of wonderful purse patterns.
I didn't think I'd buy any fabric but after a lot of deliberation, I weakened and bought a block of the month with fabric kitted up so this is for the first month.
I'm not going to say what it is until I have a block made and can show you since it's hand piecing (eeek) with reproduction fabrics and that's something that will challenge me. Lets just say that I probably need my head read because it's a biggie project and I needed the kit because I just know I don't have enough of the repros in my stash.
I'd better carry on with this Trailing Vines panel which is nearly done. I'll be posting the next installment sometime in the weekend for those of you stitching along with me. I'll also try and do a post on how to tackle really skinny small leaves soon.
I have three other projects on the go at the moment, how many are you tackling?

40 comments:

Lurline said...

Love your yarn - I have gorgeous Koigu sitting there waiting to be knitted up, but like you, wool bothers me, so sad! That pattern is gorgeous with all the bubbly/bobbly bits. Glad you enjoyed the show, Lucky Duck. thanks for the photos and looking forward to seeing more!
Hugs - Lurline.

Nedra said...

Your yarn project is absolutely beautiful. It looks soft and I love the graduating colors.
Nice to see your latest, Janet :)

Susan said...

Look at the colours in the wool! Amazing! Your book purchases are fabulous too! I have way too many projects on the go at the moment too!

Rachaeldaisy said...

I love the bobbles in your knitting, it's seems a shame that somebody would want to block them out. The colours are dreamy!!! I've been curious about the Brigette Giblin book, I'll have a look when I go to the show on Sunday. I'm curious about your BOM, I can understand, those repros are sooo pretty!! Lovely as always to see your vines!! I'm happy you're working on lots of projects, it's more wonderful eye candy for us!!

Shirley said...

I see some fabulous fussy cutting opportunities in some of those fabrics so I am intrigued as to what you are going to be doing. I have a ball of that yarn just to stare at and drool over. So yummy. I am so glad that I am not the only one who is a serial starter. Have so many projects on the go.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

I love the wee boobies, keep them I say!! Gorgeous yarn Janet, it would be a delight to knit with that. Nice books and thanks for the link to Brigittes blog. You know I adore your vines. xo

Dorothy said...

Longing to know what BOM you got. The fabrics look great. I've got most of them because my stash is Repro's. You can go from bright to dark and not move out of that era. I've slowed on my Trailing Vines this month and been catching up on my BOM 's I have a 'few'

Adele said...

Oh I bet you like I did bought the Flower Basket BOM from Carolyns Quilting Room my colours are very similar to yours or maybe I'm wrong ...would love to knit with that wool, but unfortunately it's too hot for Queensland weather.

antique quilter said...

love the knitting can't wait to see the block
ok of course I want to know the name of the BOM and see the quilt now
repros your talking my language :)

your vine is looking great, ...
I own the Feathering the Nest book and it is beautiful
what other ones tempted you????
Kathie

antique quilter said...

pops the picture didn't load now I see the knitted blocks
very fun!
thanks for sharing ....hmmm I have been wanting to do a knitting project....thanks for the inspiration, once again its all about the yarn :)
Kathie

sewyouquilt2 said...

love the yarn and the knit pattern. I have some knitting in bags for appointment knitting when I have to wait for doctors etc. Some of them I just knit at those times, others I pick up to race to the finish line.
on the quilting front I have UFOs for different reasons. ran out of the right color, cant decide whats next, dont like it anymore etc. I suppose I should get er done! LOL

Kaaren said...

Your afghan looks super and I love the colors in the yarn. Looks like a fun project.

Those repro fabrics are right up my alley. Can't wait to see the project now.

Three projects on the go? Yikes! Right now I'm working on small things and thinking about which large project I'll be starting on next. Right now our gardens are taking precedence.

Terry said...

That yarn is so pretty! I think I like the wee boobies as they are! LOL

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

The books look lovely! I can't wait to see more of the BOM...sounds like you are going to be busy!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Love everything!! Can't wait to see it all done!!!!!

Oops-Lah said...

Looking at your gorgeous yarn makes me want to pick up my knitting needles too.... almost (unfortunately it's just too hot here).

Heather said...

That yarn is fabulous. I think I have too many projects on the go to count but I am actively working on 4.

Lori said...

Love your knitting Janet! Such pretty colors.
A large hand pieced project? Fun and exciting!!

Janet said...

What gorgeous knitting - wow you can do it all!! What lovely books - I can't wait to see the lovely things you make from them. Your vine is SO very beautiful! I'm close to finishing panel 3 - only 1 more branch to prep. The vine together with 2 other piecing projects makes 3 current projects for me :0)

imquilternity said...

Wow, Janet, you are really busy with lots of wonderful projects. I love that knitting pattern and the beautiful yarn you are using. Have been wanting to do the same thing forever, but it's still on my to do list. I also want to thank you for Brigittes blog info...I've already added her to my google reader subscriptions. I'm anxious to see a completed BOM block since just looking at those fabrics doesn't inspire me. That's the fun part about quilting though, because it teaches us to appreciate (and grow to love) every fabric and style of quilting. I'm still in awe of all of you wonderful "aussie" quilters...you all seem to have such a wonderful eye for fabrics and their usage!!

Darlene said...

Oh, Janet, I wish I could knit. Your project is beautiful - love the wee boobies. LOL

Can't wait to see your new BOM project.

Thimbleanna said...

Oooh, that Noro does look yummy! I've always lusted after Noro, but not tried it yet.

Looks like you have some fun quilting projects ahead. I can't wait to see your new block of the month!

Browndirtcottage said...

I am just Ga Ga over your yarn and project. I would keep the 'wee boobs' as long as I could too!!

Books and fabric look good too!

Carrie P. said...

what fun colors you knitting project has.
Can't wait to see what you create with that fabric.
Neat looking books too.
I guess your burns are pretty well healed. HOpe so anyway.

Julia said...

Aren't the colours in that yarn gorgeous..love what your doing with it.
I crochet a scarf with that yarn, yes it is a bit scratchy, but i love the look of the different colours in the yarn.
Julia ♥

Meredith said...

Lucky you on the quilt books. My husband ordered from Quilt Mania. I am not suppossed to know. I am so excited to see what books he bought. I have to wait shipping from France to The U.S. I would like to hear about the BOM that is repro's and hand work. Wool is awesome. I mean the colors. LOl.

Barb said...

great new books and loot.
Love the knitting pattern and yarn, just lovely!

SewWhatsNew said...

Janet, like you I am allergic to wool. I cannot use any cream with lanolin either. I love Noro, I have a couple of cardigans and socks made with their yarn. But not the Kueryon, I use Noro Silk Garden. Have you seen it? It is 45% silk, 45%kid mohair, 10% lamb's wool. If I wash it before I wear; and don't let it touch my skin, I am OK. Also, have you seen their new magazine? It is called Noro Knitting. The first issue is available now until August(I am in the US.) I wish I were in Sydney for the show.

Doris said...

I'm not a knitter, but I really like those "bubbly" blocks! Looking forward to seeing the finish. And you have done such a good job of staying with your vines quilt, that one will be a joy to see finished as well. I haven't posted anything on my Candied hexagons lately, but it's still; coming along!

Sarah said...

What store did you buy the repro kit from? I love the fabrics!

Abby and Stephanie said...

You are the queen of biggie projects. :o) That yarn is gorgeous. I'm going through sewing withdrawals as family has been in town for daughter's college graduation festivities.

Pat said...

Oh, Janet! Just when the projects on my list seem under control, you go & introduce us to something that is a must do!! When I visited Brigitte's blog & discovered that sweet little purse done in tiny hexies - well, how fast can a person hit the download button??! No need to apologize - I am easily led astray:o)

Love your yarn colors & those "wee boobies" are too sweet to block out.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Your knitting is very pretty! Those books look delicious too..I'm tempted by the Feathering the Nest one.

Sue-Anne said...

Ha ha! I bet that BOM came from Carolyns - I recognise the background fabric.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Beautiful yarn colors Janet! I love books and I think I would have had those in my take home bag too!

Dixie Howard said...

Your knitted squares are gorgeous. I couldn't bear to block out the bobbles either - they are too cute! Love the books you got!

Jacinta @ Kadesia Jane said...

Loving your Blog. Just blogged about my crafty weekend with my girls. I love all the crafty things. So relaxing and great fun :)

Lisa said...

Janet, I have been doing some knitting recently, too. I just love fibers, in any shape and size. Your yarn is luscious. I can't wait to see what that repro fabric is goign to turn into, but I love the background fabric!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Your vines continue to amaze me! Looks like you had a good time at the show - saw your pic with Linda on her blog. Maybe I'll make it there next year for this show! I"ve been bugging my husband already for another trip there!

Nancy said...

I tried to send you an email but it came back as undeliverable for some reason. I was commenting on your beautiful Susan McKelvey signature stamps and how I wish I could find them. Seems I am always late to the party for things I would really like to have. Your applique block with the grapes is exquisite~!