Pillows, Slippers, Sweaters, and the Future!

Cabled Pillow

I have finally blocked the squares for the cabled pillow! Not only that, but today I purchased some fabric to back the knitting. That means that I only need to sewing the fabric on (sewing machine... a new acquisition!), sew the sides together (yarn and tapestry needle), and stuff it with fluff! This is tremendously exciting.

I intend to sew it on tomorrow or Monday evening and then later in the week head to Jo-Ann’s (oh, that wonderful place of bliss, contentment, and superior, speedy customer service…) to buy some fluffy stuff to stick inside. 
I’m not quite sure how big this pillow is going to be though. Blocked, the squares come to 12” x 12” and stuffed, they’ll be even a bit smaller. I’m going to make the second pillow (of my own hair-brained design) larger and hopefully they will look like a big-pillow-small-pillow set. It is that outcome for which I go! This second pillow will be basically a square from the quilt design I was considering making using these cabled pillow squares.

The pillow will have a small white square in the middle with a leaf design and a brown border with ... some other sort of textural pattern. The back will be just plain brown in whatever textural pattern I come up with. I'm thinking maybe diamonds.

Trivia from the KnitWit Duo:

Which Harry Potter characters like to spend their free time knitting (for charity or otherwise)? Scroll to the bottom of this entry for the answer!

French Press Felted Slippers

I've knitted all of the slipper pieces. Using size 15 needles made the project go unbelievably fast even if my hands did get tired from holding such large needles. The pieces look pretty funny and they are really large since they'll shrink when I felt them. I actually completed the pieces a while ago, but have been kinda nervous to sew them together.

I'm not so much nervous about sewing them together as I am about felting them. I've never felted anything before -- I generally don't even like things that are felted. If I mess them up (if they felt and shrink so they're too small, for instance), it really isn't a big deal. I did some wildly inaccurate arithmetic and bought way too much yarn for the slippers so it's not like I'd have to buy more if I messed them up. I just like to get things right the first time. But I've decided that I'm just going to do it! Next week. I need to find an extra doesn't-mat ter-if-it-gets-ruined pillowcase first. I think I found one (it's Curtis's from his freshman year... and it's been sitting in storage boxes for at least 3 years now) but before I destroy it accidentally or, you know, cover it in irremovable green fuzz, I need to check with him to make sure it's okay.

I also need to buy some cute buttons for on the flap of the slippers. Buttons! I love buttons and buckles. Not such a fan of tassels though.

Sweater Vest for Jack

Well, this is it. This is the first time that I'm going to knit something that actually has to fit someone. I'm going to make Jack (my grandfather) a sweater vest. It has a textural argyle pattern in the front, a twisted rib on the back, and will be a lovely navy-greyish blue. I've traced an outline of a sweater vest he owns that fits well and I'm going to try to knit that same shape. We'll see how it goes. I've purchased the yarn (while in Ashland celebrating my grandmother Jackie's birthday with some Jane Austen and dinners out on the town!) and I have the pattern. It's from the same magazine that I got the pattern for Quinn's birthday beret. This time, I will be sure to check my gauge.

I will be leaving the leaves off.. not only do I not know how to do Intarsia or Fair Isle style yet, Jack doesn't really wear patterns like that anyway. So, if you can't tell by the pictures here, go ahead and click on the image and you should be able to see the textured argyle. So. That's the plan. I'm planning on contacting the magazine to see if, when I finish, if I can mail in to get a puppy too.

The Future!

I have all sorts of things planned for the future. Step 1: finish outstanding knitting projects (pillows, slippers). Step 2: finish outstanding SEWING projects (notebook covers, bag). Yes! That's right! You heard me! Sewing projects! I've been learning how to sew this summer at a local store called Stash. I have a new sewing machine (Bernina 1080 from my lovely mother and Judy Barlup) and I've been stitching away! I'll be starting a second blog soon... pretty much as soon as I come up with a name, really. That site won't even have the promise of tutorials though since I don't think I could teach anybody anything. But in case you're interested... here's one of the projects that I've done. This is the first thing I've made entirely by myself and I made it using cheap fabric (I didn't know there was really a difference between fabric quality), but I'm still disgustingly pleased with myself. I'm working on making notebook covers for some of my friends.

I have no idea if they'll use them, but at least I'm getting practice sewing. Well, I don't know if Quinn and Alixandra will use them. My friend Lauren has requested some and we're going to pick out fabric together so I'm pretty sure she'll use them. Anyway, the clear plastic pocket (for course name, or owner's name, or whatever) was my addition. Also, please note the pencil pocket on the inside.

I've also made a sling bag (Birdie Sling by Amy Butler) and the class I went to today taught the Grommet Hipster by Indygo Junction and I'm almost done. Indygo Junction, funnily enough, is located in Kansas City, Missouri. Even if you move away, it seems you never actually leave. While I was in Jo-Ann's, there was a woman with her granddaughter from Overland Park, Kansas and I resisted the urge to run up and say hi, but it took a lot of strength.

Anyway, to check out what I'm working on or if you're a sewer, you should visit http://www.MySewingCircle.com. My user name there is KristineMarie.

Other News

I would like to point out, especially to any concerned relatives who may or may not watch shows such as Law & Order: SVU, that it is a Saturday night and I am updating my blog about knitting.

Answer to KnitWit Trivia:

Albus Dumbledore spends time examining knitting magazines; Mrs. Weasley always has a sweater or several ready for reluctant sons and Harry of course; and, Hermione ensures the warmth of House Elf heads by knitting charity hats!

How to Make a Blocking Board

Sometimes things just don't turn out like they should - or the shape and size you want or need them to be. This is when blocking comes in handy. Blocking allows you to make adjustments to your knitting by stretching and shaping. There are three different types of blocking: wet blocking, spray blocking, and steam blocking. The methods vary as to the amount - and form - of water used to relax the fibers and allow you to reshape them and which method you use should be dictated by the type of fiber with which you are working.  I chose to make a pair of blocking boards that way I could move my projects out of the way and have the option of pinning them into shape.

I got the general instructions on how to create a blocking board from Knitting.com. Click HERE for the full article from Knitty.com. Also in that article is a useful guide to which blocking method you should use for which fibers.

I know at first glance the pictures seem small, but if you click on the image, it will show you the full sized picture.

How to Make a Blocking Board


Materials (for two total):

Picture	Item
	2 Sheets of 2' x 2' Drywall (1/2" thick)
	Sturdy tape (such as duct tape, linen tape, or electrical tape)
I used Res-Q Tape because I went in search of linen tape at Jo-Ann's and couldn't find any. The Res-Q Tape is double sided but when you only use one side, the paper on the other is nice and thick and the tape is pretty strong so it worked out. Just use whatever type of tape you think will help keep the edges of your board from crumbling.
	2 yards of 1" gingham fabric
The grid on the fabric will make a useful measuring tool for when you block. The only 1" check I could find was light pink which showed up okay, but I would have preferred a blue or green.
	Staple Gun
The staple gun I used was recommended by my mother who, like myself, has small hands, but - unlike myself - does upholstery. She needed a staple gun that actually worked but was easy to handle and not so large that she couldn't get it into the places she needed to staple. Relatively inexpensive (approx. $10), the Easy Shot was her first pick. After using it, I have no complaints other than a lack of more things to staple.
	5/16" Staples
Make sure your staples will work with your staple gun.

Directions: 

1. Using your sturdy tape, tape around the edges of the squares of drywall. This is to help reinforce the edges and prevent the edges from crumbling.
2. Put extra tape on the corners of the drywall. Like knees and elbows, corners frequently get banged around and bumped into so, while this step isn't strictly necessary, I wouldn't skip it.
3. Iron your fabric! This is important so you don't have any bunches of fabric or wrinkles that will keep your blocking board from being a smooth surface.
4. Spread your fabric out on a smooth, hard surface and place the drywall on the fabric. Make sure the line the top and left side of the drywall up with the lines of the gingham. This will ensure that the grid pattern is straight and will make it a more useful measuring tool.
5. Once your drywall is in position, cut the edges of the fabric so there is a 3" border around the drywall.
6. On one side, fold 1" of the border in towards the drywall. Pin in place. Be sure to place the pins in such a way that when you staple the fabric down, you can still remove the pins. You do this so the cut edge of the fabric is tucked inside and won't fray. If you want to be extra certain that it won't fray, you could also use a product like Fray Check along this edge.
7. Fold the pinned side of the fabric onto the blocking board. While holding the fabric taught but still, staple in place. I stapled about two inches apart along the whole side.
8. Repeat steps 6 - 7 for the side that runs parallel to the first completed side.
9. For the two remaining sides, repeat steps 6 - 7 ensuring that the corners are folded neatly, like a package. To do this, make a triangle in the corner with the fabric. This should help keep the fabric from bunching or being too messy around the corner.
Once all sides have been stapled, you're all done!