Quilting takes a backseat to class assignments

 My sock class is going slow because of my knitting speed.  But you can see that I almost have the gusset done.

Below is a painting class l am taking.  A bit of free flowing, mixed with more structured, some journaling and some doodling.

It may get the best of me!

 

This sock is really pushing me.  I got the flap done, turned the heel and then came to the gusset.

Maybe I just can't count but man this setting up of the gusset is taking me some time to get right.

Last night I had to admit defeat and put it down and walk away for the night.

So today I need to count, count, count.  Once I can get the count right I will be able to continue .

Day 7 - a knitting day

 It has been awhile since I have posted my socks.  That is because I dropped some stitches and had to rip back to the leg.  I tried to recover the stitches but was unable to manage getting them back into the right position.  So today with the help of new glasses I was able to restart the heel flap.  Just 5 more rows till the flap is done.

So if you decide to knit the no fear shorty socks, be very careful not to drop a stitch in the heel flap portion.  

Day 6

 

I think that I am half way done the colour blocks!  But not 100% sure.

44 Blocks for Day 5

 Today I have finished all the blue blocks - 60 in total.

Blocks made on Day 4

53 more blocks

 

83 Blocks on day Three!

 These small 2.5 inch blocks are fun to sew up.  They are not meant to line up exactly.  

Day two of the new quilt

 

46 squares to add to the 45 from yesterday.

Side tracked Again!!!

While cleaning up my sewing room I found a bunch of triangles.  Small ones that don't have much use....or do they?  I remembered a quilt in a book that Doreen gave me.  "Chain of Diamonds" in the book "No Scrap Left Behind" by Amanda Jean Nyberg 

So I started to play with them.  

Needless to say, my sewing room is only half cleaned up.

Box or bag?

 I made a box today that becomes a bag.   The top casing has a strap that can be pulled to become a handle.  Four pockets run around the base for handy storing of important items.  I also made a small envelope bag to put small items in for safe keeping. 

 

Add caption

 

This top is done!!!!!

 It is done, now I need to get it quilted.

I started on Oct 28, 2020.  That is a fast turn around for me.  But cabin fever really set my pace.  It was like I was trying to stay ahead of the cabin fever feeling.

Knitted a bit more today

 The knitting is going slowly.  Need to add a bit more length to the leg.

Progress on my knitting class

 Today was busy but I did manage to get a bit of knitting done.  The pattern calls for only 15 rows from the ribbing to the turning of the heel.  I am going to knit more to make sure my ankle is warmer.

Block 14 and unsewn top

 The last block, now to sew the top together.  Below I have posted 3 different arrangements of the blocks.  Please let me know which you like best.  I am having trouble deciding.

View  1

View 2

View 3

Block 11

 Four of the final 8:

Block 12

 Yes we have seen this block before.  Just two blocks to go.

The other block 10's

 

 Block 10

There are still two more blocks to make but you can see how they fit in.

Skipping ahead to block 15 and then back to 13

 Block 13

This change in colour placement seems to be okay.  So I am going to finish the rest of the blocks.

Block 15

Since I was changing the colour placement, I decided to make the center block next to ensure it works.  I think were okay.

(It was nice to be able to see the finished quilt.  I am running out of fabric, so placement becomes very important.  Cross your fingers that my scraps hold out.)

Block 9, now complete

 

The block 9's are now done.

Timeout for learning

 

I heard about a knitting class from a friend so I spent yesterday listening to steps 1 to 3.  This class is a beginner class on knitting socks.  So far I know the cuff ribbing and the stocking stitch of the leg. BUT, I am learning a lot of details and facts about needles, the yarns and just little tips that help make a project go smoother.  As I am a slow knitter and making both socks at once (this is not part of the class) don't hold your breath on my progress.  Can't wait to get to the heel.  It has a gusset and flap, a technique I have not knit before.

If you have cabin fever or just want to do something different, check out "No Fear Sock Knitting Class" on youtube.  It is free, has lots of info, is slow paced for the beginner and the pattern is inexpensive.  So check out Denise DeSantis of Earthtonesgirl (the host).

Pattern:  No Fear Shorty Socks

Block 9

 I have my machine back and have completed 8 block 9's.  This block confused me and I thought I needed twice that many.

Guess what I do!  At the beginning of the notes it said to make 8 blocks BUT at the end it said to make 16.  Guess I better start cutting.

The quilt is coming along.  28 new squares to fill plus the 8 missing ones from block 9.  What you see is 1\2 the quilt if the missing blocks were done.

No sewing machine!

 It is very weird to have no machine to sew on.  Mine is getting serviced and cleaned.  So I guess the next best thing is to get organized and ready to sew.  So here are my block 9's ready to go.

Block 8

 

Block 6 and 7

 Block 7 

Block 6

  Beginning to fill in the center.