Now that I have a little more experience in applique, I’ve been working on the posies blocks for my Posies & Pinwheels UFO (started in the summer of 2007). I really love this quilt. I started it in a class taught by friend June, and I got bogged down in my inefficient and less-than-effective applique of the little leaves (NOTE: June is an excellent teacher! It was me that had the problem). I’m making progress making the leaves and glue-basting them down, so they will be ready for stitching during the Wednesday afternoons I spend at DayStitchers (a local handsewing group).
I’m also pleased with my sock progress lately, having finished the tan socks this past week, and I am working the gusset on the yellow and gray socks. Pretty good progress on the yellow and gray sock for two days:
I am making progress just generally as a sock knitter. I used to dread coming to the heel flap. Now I enjoy the heel flap, and even the heel turn. I still don’t enjoy the gusset so much. And I used to dread the toes, and now I think the toes are fun. If you’re a new sock knitter, hang in there. It all makes better sense the more times you repeat it. You even start to remember some of the pattern so you don’t have to have your nose in your pattern book all the time! And for those who give a rat’s patootie, here’s a link to a very good explanation/picture of the anatomy of a sock.
Thanks for the support in your previous comments on my purchases of sock yarn! What good friends! I’ve been doing most of my yarn shopping at http://simplysockyarn.com. I usually try a skein of this or that (who am I kidding? it’s a skein of this AND that and that and that..) from the list of yarns that are on sale.
I have some yarn that I’ve picked up at JoAnn’s. I’ve also purchased yarn in yarn shops, and that’s when it gets dangerous. I don’t look for what’s on sale; there’s always been something gorgeous that justs leaps into my arms and begs me to take it home. And yes, I’m talking about yarn. Yummy, non-fattening, only-slightly-addicting yarn.
So how are you doing on your UFOs? Pick a day to be your UFO day, and try to get at least a little bit done on that day each week. It will eventually add up to a whole lot done, then at last a completion! Who cares how long it takes? It will be a whole lot better than just letting those UFOs stay hidden away for your kids to eventually use for oil rags in the garage!
–Sue (Thursday’s Child)
I LOVE your socks! Almost makes me want to learn how to knit. Almost.
thanks for the link to the parts of a sock.
1 Miranda day bag- DONE!! 1 kids quilt almost done- just need to do the binding- gee Thanks Judy L for mentioning the Downy quilt project- I sent for it on I think a Monday, received it on Friday and just had to immediately start working on it instead of my UFO’s. My husbands wolf quilt needs to be sandwiched together and then I can start quilting it. Guess that’s about it as far as UFO’s go!
LOVE your socks… I finished one complete pair last winter (keeping my tootsies warm as I type) and one pair of cotton shorty socks… and one single sock that’s too big for me that my husband wants… LOL So I guess I best finish it before I dig out all that other yarn I bought for other socks.
Your applique is so bright and cheerful… are you machine or hand stitching? Kim Diehl (Simple Comfort book and other ‘Simple something’ books) uses a method where she uses the freezer paper but puts the paper side against the wrong side of the piece – then you iron the seam allowance down onto the plastic side. Then because you still have plastic side showing on the bottom – you can press it into place on your block and then either hand or machine applique it in place. If you need you can stick a pin in but I haven’t had any problems with stuff staying in place.
Wow — interesting color combination on those yellow/red/black socks! What yarn is that? I have also been collecting sock yarn. I like it because it’s a reason to visit yarn shops when traveling, and you always know how much you’ll need (unlike yarn for a sweater) Hoping to have a new pair finished pretty soon… and then there are several more lined up!