Amaranth Shawl, Now in German!

Jetzt auf Deutsch... Amaranth Schultertuch!

Both versions are included with purchase.
Check it out on Ravelry here.

And, a shout out to my translator, Micha: Super-Vielen Dank!

In the meantime...

Lately I've been so hesitant to post, and I keep waiting to post, and holding out for something big to happen.  Today, I decided to forgo that train of thought.  I mean, why am I holding back?  I started this blog to share what I was making - whether they be big breaks or small, right?  So, here goes.

I've been on a dumpling kick.  So, I've been making lots and lots of these delicious little pasta pockets.  Thus far, I've been using one cookbook that several of my friends purchased whilst I drooled over it. The book is "Asian Dumplings" by Andrea Nguyen, and there's an accompanying website: http://www.asiandumplingtips.com/

Here are my creations based on recipes found in the book... a set of "big hug" folded dumplings right before they were cooked and devoured.

So far I've done the first 2 recipes:  Pork and Napa Cabbage Water Dumplings and the Meat and Chinese Chive Pot Stickers.  I've steamed, boiled, and cooked them like pot-stickers, and so far we have enjoyed them greatly!  I really like the process of rolling out the dough and folding into the different shapes.  I found that the 2nd day dough is much easier to work.

I've also been working in the background for several already-released patterns and several new ones!  The rights for the Orange Blossom Camisole have reverted to me so I can self-publish the pattern which I did on Craftsy, Ravelry, and Patternfish. 

In sewing and quilting, I seem to be acquiring patterns, cutting them out, but hesitating before making them.  I don't know what's stopping me, but hopefully I can snap out of my reluctance.  It's annoying me.  I'd like to just clear off the table and finish the quilt I started last year with the Craftsy Block of the Month.  I have everything even the backing ready to go!  So what's stopping me?  I have no idea.

Sewing mojo come back!!

Coming Soon...

The final piece of the Squishy Series (although a hoodie add-on and/or sleeves may be in order)...

Currently in tech-edit/testing, but coming soon!

Yay! Finished Brown Quilt

This is my first large scale quilt.  Ever!  I finished it.  Not just finished the top, mind you, the whole thing is quilted and even washed.  I'm over the moon as you can tell, and I learned heaps of things throughout this project.

Here it is!

Firstly, the biggest thing I learned is about basting the quilt-sandwich... If you're going to do one method, make sure you see it through in its entirety.  I kind of pick and chose, and ended up with some major snafus in the center of my quilt.  Here's my mistake... I was doing the Ann Peterson method from "quilting a large quilt on a small machine" from Craftsy where she sews around the outside of the border first and then stitches in the ditches afterward.  BUT she uses adhesive spray for added support when basting.  I chose pins... and not very many of them.  By the time I had realized my mistake, I was in too deep to seam rip.  I couldn't bear to do it.  So, I forged on ahead and only ripped the absolutely necessary areas.

So, lesson learned... Next time, I will quilt medallion-style so I can evenly space out my pins and not have any crazy shifting of my fabric.

I used pre-cuts for the front and donated backing fabric.  A very kind lady sent me the backing fabric when I purchased thread from her.  I couldn't believe how perfectly it went with the brown. Thank you, kind lady!!

I used the backing fabric as the final binding and found zig-zagging to be a very nice way of getting a really flat look to the binding.  I really like it after washing, too!  Despite the ridiculous amount of shifting and scrunching at the center, I consider it a success.  I have a blanket, and we needed one... it's still quite cold in these parts.

What are you all working on?

Argyle Set: Lustig Hat & Gloves

The first published pattern of the year is the "Lustig Set" (lustig = funny in German).

I'm really proud of this set, especially the gloves which were started in Amsterdam and completed in Munich.  Both knitting groups were really supportive during the design process, and I'd like to give them a hearty "thanks" for all their love.

photo: Clotheshorse Magazine

You can find the pattern here on Ravelry or within Clotheshorse Magazines Winter 2012/13 Issue.

And, here are my amateur-hour home photos... ;)

I wore it slouchy, more like a beret.

The gloves are interchangeable left & right.

What are you all working on these days?