Diamond Panel Pullover Vest

 

This is the knit I decided to make for myself, a pullover version of the vest I made for Maggie.

 

I have lots of white and black turtlenecks Tees which will be worn under this little topper. It was yummy to knit in Zara Superwash Merino DK in two shades of gray, black and white. I nearly went blind knitting the black side panels! So hard to see what I was doing. But while stitching away, I amused myself while watching The Girlfriends Guide to Divorce on Netflix. 

Little Projects

 My knitting student sister Brooke, is going great guns. I am sooooo proud. She'll be sharing my vast yarn stash in the future.

 I saw this tutorial on making pillowcases on Pinterest and decided to make a few...four sets of two and five individual cases. So fun and addictive. 

 I've been dying to knit some baby clothes and this goes to the granddaughter of my pal Mary.  It is really a buttery yellow not like this vanilla looking color.

 Such a fun little knit. It took only a few hours and now it is ready to share.

Bosna #6

Bosna #6
Machine pieced cotton top, 60x68"
Veering far from my usual palette, I went for the more unusual in terms of low contrast and what I like to call "colors that have no name". My hand dyed cotton sateen was the initial fabric choice and then a second one was employed with hints of aqua as well as that drab gray green color.
My personal challenge was to find a way to make these quiet colors interesting, yet still minimal.

Bosna #5

Bosna #5
Hand dyed cottons and a few commercial solids.
59x65". This is the last top made in 2016. I wanted to use my hand dyeds for the color changing effects and to see if they could work in such a minimal design.
Admittedly I got a little fussy, not as minimal as intended, but the results work, imho.
Moving my fabric shelves into the studio has made a huge difference, and isn't as crowded as I had feared. I still find myself stacking piles of colors on my table as the design progresses.
Making tops and backs and not worrying about quilting them immediately is really freeing!
I hope everyone enjoys the new year and finds it as fulfilling and satisfying as possible.

Year End Roundup

At this time of year I like to look back and see what I may have accomplished during the year. I expected to find very little since we moved and had to downsize once again. But I was surprised that there were many new items added to my finished up list. Mostly new garments, since I got a great new serger and that made sewing clothes a real treat. And lots of finished knitting for my list of Jacket orders. But there were also some quilts and paintings and a new view of quilt making with all over quilting and making tops and backings with a goal of using up my fabric. I am enjoying quilting more now than ever!
I had success with dieting and lost about 38 pounds, but can't swear to that since the holidays invited nibbling and eventually gorging. January 2 will get me back to the smarter way of eating.
Resolutions are fun to make and try to keep and 2016 was so great that I intend to make 2017 a repeat. More knitting, quilting and gardening. And I intend to see my family and friends more often and make new ones too. Happy New Year to you all.

Diamond Panel Vest for Maggie

 Diamond Panel Vest. Various wools and merino-silk yarns, in graduated tones of gray to cream. Mother of Pearl button. Because this is extra long I included side slits at the hem.

 The back diamond design is slightly different than the front panels, due to the fact that I was using small leftover skeins of several grays and had to make it work without running out.

 About 34" long and 25" wide (50" circumference) so it is more like a sleeveless coat.

 And now...to knit something for myself, if I can make a choice from all my yarn combos!

Christmas Eve

 The older I get the less fuss I make for Christmas. Yesterday I finally got around to making cookies, Cherry Almond biscotti and my oatmeal cookies with everything in them, often called Kitchen Sink. I drank Pinot Grigio while I baked and that made it really fun. I think.

 My sister and niece will be here for Christmas day dinner and we are having Ravioli Lasagna with meatballs and sausage. It is already to bake in my refrigerator, a day ahead.

Earlier Friday I decided to commit to piecing for the foreseeable future and that meant bringing my fabric out of the laundry room and into the studio. I was surprised that I had enough space for the bookcases. And I turned my work table 90 degrees and that makes it work even better. The best change is the newly hung design wall. This time I used Command picture hanging strips instead of hooks. It hangs REALLY flat against the wall.

 The kitchen is all cleaned up and so is the studio...and now I can relax and knit. yay!