Climbing Leaves Shawl

The Climbing Leaves Shawl designed by Karen Walker is at last blocking. This is just a glimpse of some of the details. Knit with Penny Rose zephyr lace yarn (merino and silk) on 3.75mm needles. It's interesting to knit, having changes of stitch patterns throughout the length. Once again I used Sullivans bamboo circular needles which I find great. They have a good balance between grip and slip:). Also they are very light weight, great for arthritic hands. The price is right too.
Why a circular needle? The weight of the knitting falls on the cord rather than the actual needles and this weight is on my lap rather than on my hands.
There will be a modelled shot as soon as I can find a willing model.

cheers, Colleen

Summer Squares Suite Part two

I'm working on the second week's project from Badcat designs. I've picked up the stitches around the edge of the square and I'm knitting the border. This is where the first skein of yarn ran out. The yarn is lovely to work with and the pattern is easy to remember..so all in all it's a relaxing and enjoyable knit!
cheers, Colleen

The Summer Squares Suite, knitting

I've started knitting the new "Summer Squares Suite". I love joining in with the friendly and encouraging group Badcat has created with her knit-alongs. This one lasts all our winter (her summer). Each week Badcat publishes one square plus either an edging or a border to make a blanket, shawl etc. This is the first square and I will continue to knit a border then an edge to make a square shawl. Oh, and this one is beaded through the edging (when we get that far).

A delightful "friend" I met through the group sent me the Knitpicks shadow yarn for this shawl...aren't I lucky?
You can find out more about this group at Badcat's blog

cheers

Colleen

A new quilt on the way

This is a photo showing my progress on the "Allspice Tapestry" Jelly Roll quilt. As you can see it has some applique and a little broderie perse. I'm quilting around the motifs by hand and enjoying it very much. Just the binding to slipstitch, the pattern to tweak, a good photo session and the pattern will be ready for sale.

cheers, Colleen

The Useful Quilt

The original "Useful Quilt"
Very snuggly flannel quilt using 9 blocks

The girly "useful quilt"

Some of you would know that I've been trying to get "The Useful Quilt" finished, including the pattern. Well a bit at a time the girly version is done. This one is obviously Madison's quilt, finished in time for her 6th Birthday.
It features twelve 12-patch blocks, applique hearts, yo-yo's, buttons and ric-rac braid.

The other versions are a very simple flannel 9 block quilt and the original 6 block quilt.

There is another version not shown here, which is a cot quilt/toddler's quilt featuring cats and butterflies.

I promise the pattern will be ready one day....

cheers

Colleen