Fabric Report - Week 16 April 19, 2015

It's been several weeks since I've posted on the Fabric Report because there hasn't been much sewing going on lately. I did use some on the two autumn leaf blocks for Margaret in the piecing group and 2 yards was gifted to a friend for a backing on a baby quilt she was making.

However, I'm still holding strong on not buying any fabric this year.  My will power will really be tested next week, though.  I'll be attending the AQS Show in Paducah for 4 days.  Can I do it?  Not buy fabric when many of the vendors run great deals during this show.! You will have to check back next week and see what happens.  

Weeks #15 and 16 Fabric Report

Fabric Added - 0

Fabric Used this week- 2.25 yds 

Fabric Added YTD - 0

Fabric Used YTD - 38 yds

Net used in 2015 - 38 yds

Stop by Judy's Patchwork Times to see more reports for the week.

Third Time is a Charm - OTN

It only took me 3 times (or maybe 4 I lost count) to get this sock started with the right size needles and number of stitches, but I'm finally on my way.

Since I had so much trouble in the beginning, I've changed the pattern a bit and am just doing a plain stockinette stitch in the foot instead of carrying the leg pattern  throughout the foot.  I'm ready for this sock to be finished and onto the 2nd one before I forget what changes I made along the way.

When things start to frustrate me like taxes or knitting or even quilting -- I turn to the kitchen to bake or try out a new recipe. It always takes my mind off my troubles or aggravations of the day.  I guess that means food plays a consoling role in my life.  I started with my favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe and then made several batches of blueberry muffins.  I had two new recipes that I wanted to try and see which we liked best.

These were the first ones. They used less sugar and substituted sour cream instead of vegetable oil or butter; and were very good, but not real sweet. Great for those watching their sugar intake or anyone who is diabetic. The recipe is on the 'Recipe Tab" under my blog header if you want to give them a try. This is not my recipe, but was in my recipe drawer written on a piece of notebook paper from years ago. I really don't remember where it came from. 

The second recipe was more traditional, more sugar, vegetable oil and a sugar/cinnamon topping. These were yummy too, but they did not taste much sweeter than the first ones, in spite of using more sugar.   Either recipe would be good if you like blueberry muffins!  They disappeared quickly at our house. 

Take a look at Judy's OTN to see more knitting progress this week.  Hope you have a great Spring weekend.  It is greening up so nicely around our area.  

Tax Day

Just got in under the wire for getting my taxes completed.  I'm sure glad that is done for another year. It's always a big relief when I take it to the post office and get it mailed.  Now on to more fun things.

First, I pieced 2 blocks for one of my friends in the Pieces of Friendship group.  She wanted Fall colors with darker half log cabins surrounding two sides of the block.  These will be added to many more in other Fall colors. I can't wait to see them all together.

Then, another pillowcase to add to the growing stack. I just counted and there are 41 to date. 

And last but not least, is this Quilts of Valor quilt top pieced by my friend Mary.  She was kind enough to also provide a pillowcase, backing and binding to go with it.  Whoohoo!!  I really like this pattern and she did such a beautiful job.  Thank you so much Mary.  It will be much appreciated by one of our veterans.

Now it's time for me to get busy finishing my QOV that I've put on the back burner temporarily.  The rows are together and hopefully, this week I can finish putting on the borders.  My stash report has become stagnant of late, so I need to get busy and start sewing and finishing up some more of my UFOs.  

Hope you all are having a good week.  The Spring temperatures are motivating me to get outside more, and that doesn't help my sewing goals, but Spring is my favorite time of the year, I think.

On the Needles - April 10, 2015

This week has been a very frustrating one when it came to knitting.  Do you remember last week I said I was going to go ahead and continue the Pretty Basic shawl even though the pattern didn't look quite right in the middle?  Well I did continue for at least another 20 rows and it got worse and I didn't like what I was seeing, so I frogged it back to the beginning.

Next I decided to work on my Hermione's socks which started off looking real pretty in the cuff area, but when I started the textured pattern in the leg section, it looked way too big.  I continued for another couple inches and it kept getting wider.  I did swatches with 3 different sized dpns until I got to the smallest ones I own - US 0 (2.0mm) and it STILL was too big.  I could not seem to get the gauge that was suggested in the pattern - 9sts/in.  So I cut back on the number of cast on stitches and I'm going with that!  These socks will fit SOMEONE if not me, but I'm not starting over again!!  I've practically wore out the yarn from starting so many times.   Here's where I am on my 4th attempt.

If any more knitting snafu's happen this week, OR anytime soon, I may have to put my knitting needles back in the drawer and not let them out until they decide to behave.  I've tolerated about enough of this bad behavior from them. They need to be taught a lesson. 

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times OTN.  Check there to be inspired by more knitting ideas this week.

OTN - April 3, 2015

Some progress was made on my Pretty Basic shawl but not as much as I wanted.  My concentration is a little suspect because the design doesn't quite look like I think it should, but I'm going forward anyway.  When it's worn, no one will see one or two little blips, I hope.  I must stay focused from here on out.

Most of my knitting time was spent ripping out my Hermione's everyday socks. They were knitting up too big with the suggested needles.  I started over 3 more times with smaller needles each time, and still could not get the 9 sts/inch that the pattern recommended. The yarn says fingering, but it must be thicker than the normal sock yarn.  Not sure what I'm going to do now.  I really love this yarn, but I hate wasting anymore time guessing what size needles or how many stitches I should decrease to get the proper fit.  Anyone else have this problem with sock yarn or their sock patterns?

Linking up with Patchwork Times.  Have a look there so see more knitty projects.