Two Gingerbread Hats

Recently knit these two hats using the pattern Gingerbread Hat by Angela Whisnant.  I bought Super Traveler yarn by Dragonfly Fibers at my local yarn shop (Yarn Kandy) in colorway Turning Leaves.  They only had one skein but I thought I'd have enough to make a hat.  I was wrong so I went online to order more and ordered Traveler rather than Super Traveler.  Only needed one skein of traveler weight but needed about 1.3+ skeins of the super traveler.  The hat knit with traveler weight is on the left in the photo.  Added Big Bad Wool fur pompoms to the hats (bought at Yarn Kandy)

Three Hats

I have been knitting hats lately.  Here are three that I've finished.  The first one is knit using the pattern Bankhead by Susie Gourlay.  The yarn is Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted (186 Lagoon colorway).

These two are knit using the pattern Regular Guy Beanie by Chuck Wright (only I used a K1P1 ribbing rather than K2P2). The yarn is Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted (105 Cocoa Bean and 186 Lagoon colorway).

Blue Wisp Scarf

I actually finished this scarf a few weeks ago.  It was knit using the pattern Wisp by Cheryl Niamath (have used it many times in the past).  I used one strand of two yarns knit together -- Blue Ridge Yarns Silk Shimmer Lace (in Waterfall) and Malabrigo Yarn Silkpaca (in Azules).  It is about

10 in X 64 in after blocking.

One Row Scarf

Just finished this scarf.  It is longer than I intended but it is lovely and can be worn doubled.  The pattern is One Row Lace Scarf by Turvid.  The yarn is Malabrigo Yarn Arroyo in the colorway  Anniversario. Blocked it is approx 10 in X 86 in.  

Brown Marketplace Bag

This is the second market bag I've knitted using the pattern Grrlfriend Market Bag by Laura Spradlin.  This time I use better yarn ==Good Earth (a cotton linen blend) from fibra natura.  

Red and Blue Lap Quilt

The center indigo dyed fabric is from the indigo shibori dye class I took in early June.  I like the added strip of red.  It is 45 in square, machine quilted.  I have haven't decided who I'll give it to but have a friend in mind.  

The back is a neutral fabric with a strip of red along one side.

My rescue dog Lizzie likes the quilt.  This photo was taken before I had sewn down the binding.

Local Lululemon Community Sweat Challenge

It's Lululemon's 20th birthday.  The local Lululemon decided to put together a "sweat challenge."  They gave out "passports" to individual participants along with cards from 20 local gyms/clubs for a free class.  The business "stamps" the passport when the participant takes a class.  The challenge started at the end of August and last until September 23rd.  My regular exercise routine consists of Pilates at IM=X (once or twice a week, paid), yoga classes on Sunday mornings at said local Lululemon (free) and sometime Sunday afternoon at Fleet Feet (in store yoga for runners, $5 donation), treadmill (45 mins walk or walk/run mix), and walking my small dog (more of a stroll).  Initially I was reluctant to participate but decided to shake up my routine and try some new classes.  It has been fun.  I have enjoyed all of them, some more than others (they fit me better). 

Here's a summary of the classes I attended (date, business name (instructor name if remembered/known), class type (time) along with my other non-challenge workout activities.  I only numbered the activities that earned a passport stamp.

1. Friday, 8/24/18.  The Floating Lotus -- Happy Hour Yoga (5: 30 pm class).  Enjoyed. 
2. Saturday, 8/25/18.  IM=X (Emily)-- Pilates Reformer (8 am) -- this is part of my normal routine.
3. Saturday, 8/25/18.   Little Rock Athletic Club (Heather)-- Hot Yoga (4 pm).  Enjoyed.
Sunday, 8/26/18.  Walk with Lizzie (my dog) at Two Rivers Park  (~7-8 am) -- this is Lizzie's big walk of the week, the rest are short walks once or twice daily.
4. Sunday, 8/26/18.  Orange Theory (Quen) -- OT60 (9 am).  Enjoyed.
5. Sunday, 8/26/18.  Lululemon (Catherine from Big Rock Yoga) -- yoga (11 am). Enjoyed.

Monday, 8/27/18 --  treadmill at home
 6. Tuesday, 8/28/18.  Omnis Crossfit -- crossfit (4:30 pm).  Enjoyed, made me feel out of shape.
7.  Wednesday, 8/29/18.  Clique Cycle (Annie) -- yoga rather than spin class (6:30 pm)
8.  Thursday, 8/30/18.  Clubhaus Fitness (David) -- hot pilates (5 pm). Great class, great instructor.
9.  Friday, 8/31/18.  Zen Studio (Kelly) -- Barre Bounce (noon, took off work early for Labor Day weekend)
10. Friday, 8/31/18.  Arkansas Yoga Collective (Wesley) -- all levels Yoga (5 pm).  Enjoyed.
11.  Saturday, 9/01/18.  Barefoot Yoga (David) -- Hot Yoga (10 am).  Love this class.
Sunday, 9/02/18.  Walk with Lizzie (my dog) at Two Rivers Park  (~7-8 am).
12.  Sunday, 9/02/18.  Big Rock Yoga (Sandra) -- all levels Yoga (10:30 am).  Enjoyed.

Monday, 9/03/18.  Cammack Village 5K (hills, heat, humidity) -- finished in 36:37.02, won 3rd place in female Senior division
Tuesday, 9/04/18.  IM/X (Emily) -- pilates/Abs (4:30 pm)
13. Wednesday, 9/05/18.  Straightright Boxing (Anthony) -- adult fitness class (6:30 pm).  Love!
14. Thursday, 9/06/18.  D1 Fitness -- Adult Training (5:30 pm) -- Great workout even if it reminded me of line drills from my old basketball days in Jr/Sr high
15. Friday, 9/07/18.  Blue Yoga Nyla -- Happy Hour Yoga (5 pm).  Enjoyed.
16. Saturday, 9/08/18.  Full Out Barre   -- Barre w/ cardio (9 am).  Great workout, tough.
Sunday, 9/09/18.  Walk with Lizzie at Two Rivers Park  (~7-8 am)
Sunday, 9/09/18.  Lululemon (Kelly from Zen) -- all levels yoga (11 am)
Sunday, 9/09/18.  Fleet Feet  -- in store yoga for runners (4:30 pm, $5 class) -- great stretching

Monday, 9/10/18.  Treadmill at home
17. Tuesday, 9/11/18.  Pure Barre  -- Pure Empower (5 pm) -- Great workout, tough.

I learned that I need to put more cardio into my routine.  Either I need to run more on my treadmill or add in something like Orange Theory, Straightright, crossfit, or cardio barre.  I would be willing to do that especially if I could get my husband to do those with me (he won't go to pilates or yoga with me, I've tried; doubt he'd do barre with me either).  I think he might like those workouts.  Will work on him. 

I found it harder to eat health with so many out of my house workouts during the week.  I have not mastered the cooking healthy meals ahead of time on the weekend for the upcoming week.  My husband was working out of town during this time period.  He isn't much of a cook but might have helped with meals if he had been home however I'm not sure he would have liked me not sitting down for meals with him. 

I had to give up some of my quilting/sewing time to do the challenge.  Not an issue in the short run but I know my "soul" needs the sewing time like I need sunshine.  I will somehow have to find some balance between exercise, sewing/quilting, and home cooked meals (rather than salads, soup, sandwiches).  Life is journey and this challenge has been a nice adventure.

My thanks to Lululemon for putting this together and to all the businesses that participated.  There were some I was not able to try -- R.E.P.S., Unleased (Roland), McClure Fitness (Benton), and Crossfit Maumelle.  Either hours didn't fit my schedule or distance (drive time to/from was greater than workout time).   You know what would be lovely -- a city/county pass that would allow you to buy 10-20 passes to be used in say a 2-3 month period but could be used at several places rather than just one. 

Meet my rescue dog Lizzie.  This is where she insist on sitting when I sew.

This one was taken out at Two Rivers Park.  She allowed me to place her on the tree branch and then stayed put while I took the photo.

Marketplace Bag

I found the pattern (Grrlfriend Market Bag by Laura Spradlin)for this bag on Ravelry.  I used some cotton yarn I had recycled from an old sweater years ago.  It works okay for this bag but I think a different yarn would be more durable.  Still the bag is functional and I now know for sure that I like the pattern.  Will try this pattern again with other yarns.

Tied Knots Hat

I knit this hat using the pattern Tied Knots by Justyna Lorkowsa.  The yarn is Lion brand Wool Ease in a gray color.  Not sure yet who will be gifted this hat or whether it will go to charity.

Bag for Use with a Walker

I made this bag for my friend (for >40 yrs now).  She has multiple sclerosis and uses a walker.  The pattern is Simplicity 2300, bag A. I modified the pattern just a bit so there is no seams on the side and the zipper pocket in the front has a bias finish along the top edge which was sewn down rather than another seam there. 

I also added a button closure and a key keeper (hook on a strap so the keys don't get lost in the bottom). I also added a button closure and a key keeper (hook on a strap so the keys don't get lost in the bottom).  The shoulder strap (not well seen in the photo) is adjustable.

I think it really needs to be a smaller by about 25% as I am concerned that if it is actually full it will be too heavy and make it too difficult for my friend to lift the walker when needed or make the walker unstable.  She hasn't had the bag long so no reported problems (so hopefully my worries are unfounded).

Patriotic Hat

This hat was knit using some of the leftover yarn from the patriotic socks.  I used #2 needles and cast on 120 stitches.  Did k1p1 band then simply knit in the round until decrease rounds. Although I can get it on my head I think it would fit a child/teen better.  I may put it with the hats I plan to donate to the local children's hospital.  Not sure yet.

Blue, Yellow, and Red Quilt

The blue and white squares are handkerchiefs I dyed in an indigo shibori dye class I took in early June.  The finished quilt is 55 in X 70 in. It is machine pieced and quilted.  I gave it to a nephew who tells me he loves it.

Patriotic Socks

I purchased the pattern and yarn for these socks back in February around the winter Olympics from Jimmy Beans Wool (Lorna's Laces Speckles & Stripes Sock KAL Yarn).  The pattern is  Olympia by Lara Smoot.  The yarn is Shepard Sock yarn from Lorna's Laces.   I like how they turned out.

 

Crossbody Bag

I took apart an old bag to use as a pattern for this crossbody bag.  I changed the inner pockets and sections to try to improve on it's function.  There is an adjustable strap.  The opening has a two way zipper

I "harvested" the rubber headphone slot from the old bag and sewed it in place.  Inside there is a zippered pocket for money, passport, lip stick, etc.  There are three slotted pockets for ID and credit or debit cards.

There is a larger back section that would hold a small tablet or iPad.  The section also has a pocket that comfortably holds a phone.

 Off to the side is a pen pocket.

 This is what the back looks like.

The bag is going to a teenage niece.

Yoga Mat Bag

This is the second yoga mat bag I have made.  It uses the same pattern as the first one I made (you can see it here).  I gave this one to a friend.

Scrappy Houses Quilt

I recently finished this child's quilt.  It is a scrappy crazy quilt.  I  tried to make each block contain the shape of a house.  The quilt is machine pieced and quilted.  It measures approx 41 in square. 

 It's possible to play "I spy" using the quilt blocks.  This block has a cat, a lighthouse, a basketball, and a star.

 This block has a tree, a cat, a dog, flower, and a four.

 This block has a zebra, a car, red dots, and words.

I mailed the quilt to a friend/colleague for her child.

Two Knitted Hats

Recently knit these two hats.  The first one was knit using the pattern Perfect Slouch Hat by Susan Sheby.  The yarn is Knit Collage Cast Away in colorway Nomad. As I had size 13 needles rather than size 15 the pattern called for I cast on 42 stitches rather than 36. The fur pompom completes the hat.

 The second hat was knit without a pattern.  I cast on 96 stitches and did knit a simple K1P1 pattern using size 4 needles for 1.5 in then switched to size 6 needles to complete the hat. The yarn is Wool-Ease in mushroom.

Brown Seascape Stole

I started knitting this shawl/stole back in February and just recently finished it.  The pattern is Seascape Stole by Kieran Foley.  The yarn is Dream Jilly Lace Colorplay (brown with some yellow).  The blocked shawl measures 16 in X 66 in. 

Bag for My Yoga Mat

Our local Lululemon hosts free yoga classes on Sunday morning.  I have been going to them since the beginning of this year (learning about them around Christmas).  I had been using a cheap (thin) mat I bought at Wal-Mart.  A couple of the girls who work there gave me one of theirs (new, 5 mm thick).  It is wonderful.  As it is heavier and nicer than my old one I felt I needed a bag to protect and carry it (although a carrying strap might have worked and I may yet make one).  I found a pattern at Annie's Bags (here's the link: http://www.byannie.com/yoga-bag).  Here's how it turned out.

 This side has three pockets, two with zippers.  The other side only has the middle pocket without a zipper.

 Both ends have non-zippered pockets.

As support for the store I have since purchased the same mat (different color) for one of my sisters.

Quilt for a Young Girl

I made this quilt for a young girl I know.  It is machine pieced and quilted.  It measures 60 in X 71 in. The block pattern is the Perkiomen Valley block (http://www.venturamodernquiltguild.com/2017/12/11/thomas-fire-blocks/). 

The gray fabric with animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, roosters, etc) was the starting point with the other fabrics added.

Dog Bed

I used a damaged towel to cover an old pillow to make a dog bed.  I plan to donate it to my local humane society.   You can see the scraps of the damaged towel folded on top of the finished dog bed.

More Blocks for Thomas Fire Relief Quilts

I made more blocks for the relief quilts for those affected by the Thomas Fire.  Ventura Modern Quilt Guild has organized the collection of quilt blocks (Perkiomen Valley block, 12.5 in square; link: http://www.venturamodernquiltguild.com/2017/12/11/thomas-fire-blocks/).  I hope to get a few more made this weekend before mailing them out.