And - it's done

Once again, poor photos fail to show the cuteness of a finished item.

I ended up using a light blue sewn on edging and a deeper blue backing.

Both were batik fabrics - I think they make a nice, allover pattern with the long arm quilting in white.

What I'll do with it - I'm not so sure. Gift? My own use? Giant tablecloth or wall hanging? 

Hmm. Now - back to knitting!

Happy Quilt Day!

I finally finished and sent off to be quilted my Craftsy Block of the Month quilt - for 2012. All that is left is putting on my edging. 

This view of the yard makes my husband cry.

The backing is bright blue and the edging will be lighter blue.

Onward - to knitting!

Let's just do it again, shall we?

Madge returned - as a youth sized hat.

This time, I simply cast on 70 stitches and used the same size needles. This made it much smaller but still maintained the pattern. Not something I can wear but I think it will be a good craft to donate to the St. Lucia Fest at my church. 

Since then, I've been working on the third pair of Basic Ribbed Socks by Kate Atherley (known as my Wasting Time Socks)

This was a few days ago - I'm on the foot portion now!

and started a lovely Wilhimina Shawlette using a skein of Desert Vista Dyeworks Voir in the Burning Leaves gradient colorway.  This is through the 2 Knit Lit Chicks podcast Gradient Yarn Shawl Knitalong. Complicated, isn't it? They just like gradient (yarn dyed from one light to dark shade in one skein) yarns and decided to have a contest getting other people to use gradient yarns.

Once I actually saw how these yarns are designed - I just had to join. Sheer yarn lust, I admit, but I'm also enjoying knitting the shawlette. It's from "What Would Madame Defarge Knit?" with Heather Ordover, editor, and it's a very traditional triangular shawl.

A terrible photo but I had no where else to photograph it.

So far, I'm only on the light  colored portion but I'll just keep working until I use it all up. 

And, of course, I'm still working on Oldest Daughter's cardigan. I just hate doing those sleeves one at a time - very boring when I have socks and a shawl calling to me . . .

And, because I have so much spare time, I've started a new hobby - quilting.

I've been taking the Craftsy Quilt Block of the Month course and I'm finally getting my blocks sewn. Some block designs I love and some, not so much, but I've been making a point of using up my extra fabric and I like the effect. 

Lots of fun!