Catching up? - Some patchwork and some knitting

When you're so behind in blogging, do you catch up? Do you continue where you left off? Start again? Act as if you haven't been missing?

I've been faithfully reading everyone's blogs in my blog reader and even commenting sometimes, not just on giveaways. But, I just haven't had what it takes to be in the mood to write posts. I think about them all the time, what I would write, but am lazy and procrastinate.

We were in the U.S. for two weeks in March and we had a chance to go to the NJ Quilt Show. It's always a wonderful experience for me, because I only have the opportunity to go to a real quilt show once every few years. I took a bunch of photos and will check and see if there are any you might be interested in. Also spent a fair amount of money on miscellaneous quilting supplies and fabric and even yarn.

I haven't done much quilting, but I have been taking time to partially satisfy my fabric and sewing fix by making blocks for the monthly Block Lotto. Sophie is the best facilitator and has been doing it for so many years. She always writes the easiest instructions that help to make the blocks in minimum time.

For January, I made these Chevron blocks. I wasn't so crazy about the colors to work with, but whenever you put together something like this, it always looks good. I didn't win, as usual.

 In February, I made these 'bead' blocks. Sophie used my color choice, my favorite color combo of yellows, oranges, and maroon. 

And, I won! For the first time in almost four years of playing, I finally won. It was so much fun getting all that mail with all those blocks. I still haven't had a chance to do anything with them yet, but I've got some ideas. 

For March, I made one block. They're larger than usual blocks. I wasn't crazy about it, so I donated it, with no chance to win. When you donate, your chance goes to someone else who is either a newbie or hasn't won in a long time.

For April, I made these Triangles in a Square blocks. I love all the bright colors.

This month's block, Diagonal Bars, was very simple and easy. But, I only had time for four. It will be a great design with many together, so wish me luck!

 

I've been spending a lot of time knitting lately. The last thing I finished was this Hitofude cardigan. I was attracted to the pattern after Wendy Johnson posted hers finished on her blog. It's a Ravelry download and there's a Ravelry forum discussing the pattern, with hints and help and progress. I sure needed the help. Everyone else asked just the questions I needed. I had to read some things over and over again before I understood each step. It's a beautiful pattern, but for me complicated. A challenge that I very much enjoyed. So much so that I've started a second one!

Here's my first Hitofude:

It's made from stash yarn only. An off-white lace weight yarn mixed with a bit thicker metallic gold  yarn, Columbia Minerva Camelot (discontinued.) Before I got to the second part, I could see I wasn't going to have enough of the metallic for the whole garment. So I started using a different metallic, unidentified, and alternated the two of them. 

But, then I ran out of both! I couldn't find anything appropriate in the stash, so I had to go buy something else, in some hole in the wall fabric and yarn shop in Brooklyn. Aunt Lydia's Metallic 10. I ran out of that, too! So, I did the ribbing with the white yarn and a thin gold thread. I'm not happy about the way the ribbing is laying, so I'm thinking about turning it under like a hem. What do you think? Has anyone ever done that?

Here's my second Hitofude, so far:

I'm working with Vanna's Glamour in Garnet that I bought when I was at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio on our trip to the states. I bought it with the intention of using it for a Hitofude, but I decided to extend the sleeves and make it longer and to make the bottom longer, so, of course, I don't have enough. I ordered some more and it's now sitting in New Jersey waiting for my mother to send it to me. I hope I get it before I run out! That white strip is a provisional cast on.

That's all for the meantime. I'm hoping to participate in Amy Ellis' Blogger's Quilt Festival, so I hope you come back in a few days to see my post for that. If I get to write it, that is!! :)

Enjoy!

Debbie