Brambles Beret

This is one I may very well keep.  This beret is knit using  the pattern Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha.  The yarn, Cascade Yarns Eco Duo,  is so soft.  It was a pleasure to knit.

Here is a closer view to show the lovely cables.

Here is the underside

Expedition Hats

These two hats were knit using the pattern Expedition hat by Maude L. Baril.  The two color one uses  Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in a color called Little Rock Granite and Lion Brand Hometown USA Tweeds in oatmeal. 

This one is made using only the oatmeal Tweeds.

Both are adult size.  I plan to donate them to my father-in-law for their homeless outreach as winter will be here soon.

Charm Quilt -- WIP

I was inspired by a recent article in the American Quilter magazine (November 2012 issue) -- "Building a Palette by Seeing Fabrics in a Different Way” by Weeks Ringle -- to use sample fabrics I had been saving over the years.  The fabrics were mostly 5 in X 5 in squares.  Seemed perfect for inclusion into a charm quilt (see info in post after pattern info).

The article did not give the pattern names or directions for the quilts featured, so I drafted my own (still don't know the name of the pattern).  Here's my drafted pattern and the photo which inspired me.

The pattern consists of two basic blocks.  One block is simply square A.  The other block consists of the three pieces:  square A, rectangle B, and rectangle C.  The measurements of the pieces:
square A:  2.25 in squares (finished square will be 1.75 in)
rectangle B:  2.25 in X 4.5 in (finished size 1.75 in X 4 in)
rectangle C:  1 in X 8 in (finished size 0.5 in X 7.4 in)

Here is one of the finished composite blocks:

Here are some finished blocks laid out on my design wall.  Notice the layout of the blocks, one upright and the next one rotated 90 degrees.  The single block A will sit in the “hole.”

The fabric packs I am using are two from Benartex, one labeled the Modern Mix by Jennifer Young and the other not further labeled.  Another fabric packets from Merryvale -- the Fine China Blue designed by Bonnie Benn Stratton.  Other fabrics used will be just whatever I have in my stash.

The big difference between a charm quilt and a scrap/scrappy quilt is that each fabric is only used once.   As I am using the white muslin repeatedly, mine is not a “true” charm quilt.

Here are some nice articles on charm quilts:

A Brief History of Charm Quilts by Robin Brisson

Charm Quilt History: The Ultimate Scrap Quilts by  Judy Anne Breneman

The Charming One Patch by Janet Jo Smith

Premie Hats

One of my nieces recently had twins several weeks premature.  I had not done quilts for these two as I had already made baby quilts for her first two.  I have decided to use leftover yarns to make her twins hats.  I have bought yarn to knit small blankets.  Here are three hats (the duplicates aren't shown but exist).  All were made using the small pattern/needles but different yarns so ended up slightly different in size.  The pattern is Ali's Premie/Newborn Beanie by Tajie Maxedon.

This first one is made using the Noro Taiyo yarn leftover from the swirl jacket.

This second one is made from the Artyarns Ensemble Glitter Light  yarn leftover used to make the date night sweater (which I gave to a sister who gave it to a friend).

This third one is made from leftover Artyarns Supermerino yarn used to make the undulating leaves scarf.