Blocks for Thomas Fire Relief Quilts

The Ventura Modern Quilt Guild has organized the collection of quilt blocks (Perkiomen Valley block, 12.5 in square) for relief quilts of those affected by the Thomas Fire (link: http://www.venturamodernquiltguild.com/2017/12/11/thomas-fire-blocks/).  Here are seven I made over the extended Christmas weekend (already mailed).

Two Knitted Hats

I finished these two hats recently.  The first one was knit using the pattern "Icehouse Hat" by Melissa LaBarr.  The darker yarn is a wool or wool blend from my scrap basket (unsure what it is).  The lighter yarn is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. 

This hat was knit using the pattern "father cables" by Veronika Jobe.  The yarn is Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted in neon pink.  

 Both hats have been mailed to friends.

Lizzie's Neon Pink Sweater

I recently finished this sweater for my dog Lizzie.  It was knit using two patterns.  The main pattern was "Life is Ruff Knit Dog Sweater" by Red Heart Yarn.  That pattern is mostly plain so I used the cable pattern from the Declan's Hat by Samantha Kirby.  The yarn is Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted in neon pink. 

Two Pink Declan's Hats

I knit these two small hats (one baby size, one toddler size) for a friend's two daughters.  The pattern is Declan's Hat by Samantha Kirby.  The yarn is Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted in neon pink.  The hats look good without the pompoms but I like them better with the fur pompoms (found attached to key chains).  

Art Nouveau Fingerless Mittens

These fingerless mittens were knit using the pattern Art Nouveau Fingerless Mitts by Janice Kuykendal.  The yarn is  Lion Brand Wool-Ease in grey heather.  

Tiny Dog Sweater

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Two Knitted Hats

The first hat was knit using PS Yarn (100% alpaca purchased at a local street fair, lovely yarn) in a slate color.  The pattern is Dembow hat by Susan Dittrich.  I think I may give it to a friend.

 It stretches and fits snugly.

This second hat was knit using the same yarn in a navy/gold colorway.  It was based on the same pattern (cast on same number stitches, began cuff ribbing same, but then instead of pattern I changed to a K6 P2 repeat).  I have already gifted to a neighbor who helped my husband with a home improvement project.

Slouch Hat

I bought this yarn (100% alpaca, blue/gold color) at a street festival.  I used it to knit this hat (so very soft).  The pattern is0-1133 Finnley's Hat by DROPS design.  It will most likely go to a niece.

Nurmilintu Shawl

I've used this pattern (Nurmilintu by Heidi Alander) to knit a couple of shawls.  This one was knit using the yarn Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in the colorway Oracle.  This one measures approximately 69 inches along the longest edge and approx 16 in deep.  

For the Love of Riley

This portrait quilt was based on a photo of my niece and her dog Riley.  She gave me permission to use the photo.  Here's the original photo.

 Here's the finished quilt.  It is machine appliqued and quilted.  The finished size is 21.5 in sq.

 Here is a detail photo of the eyes.  The eyes in the original photo is what really got me.

 Here's a detail photo of the nose and tongue.  Riley is a beautiful dog that I only did partially captured.

Cross Shoulder Purse

I made this cross shoulder purse after making this travel bag.  I used the same fabrics as I had so much left over.  I entered it into the 2018 Road to California Bag Challenge.  I don't expect to win but you never know.  I drafted the pattern for this purse using an old leather purse.  There are three outer pockets and three inside pockets.  The purse has a zipper closure.  The strap length can be adjusted for shoulder length or cross body.   This side has two slip pockets.

 I consider this the back.  There is one slip pocket on this side.

 The inside has three pockets, two open and one zips closed.

There is also a hook for keys on the end of the strap.  I have always loved this feature in my old purse so added it here.

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Three Pairs Fingerless Mittens

Over the past few weeks I knit these three pairs of fingerless mittens from one skein of Dream in Color Starry (colorway  25 Wicked Royal).  The pattern is Evie by Yarnthology.  I plan to use them for "just because" gifts.

Travel Bag

I was inspired to make this bag when I stumbled across the 2018 Road to California Bag Challenge.  I'm not sure the bag is special enough to win the contest so I'm still deciding if I will enter it.  Still I am happy with the bag.  It is something I will use.  I used the Ultimate Travel Bag pattern from Annie.com.  There is a pocket on each side of the bag.  The back has a slip pocket as well as a strap at the top to which allows the bag to be secured to the handles of rolling luggage. There is a padded adjustable and detachable carrying strap as well as side handles

 The front has two pockets, one a slip pocket and another with a zipper.

Inside there are mesh pockets on the front and back.  The bottom has a plexiglass bottom stabilizer under the fabric lining.  I sewed buttons on the outside bottom as suggested to reduce wear over time. 

Socks and Mittens

I decided to knit a pair of socks as I had not done so in quite a while.  This pair was knit using Basic Ribbed Socks by Kate Atherley.  I used the Fish Lips Kiss Heel method and I grafted the toes closed.  The yarn is Patons North America Kroy Socks 4 Ply in blue striped rag colorway.  They fit my husband perfectly.

 

 

With the leftover yarn from the two skeins I knit this pair of fingerless mittens which I then gifted to a male colleague who is learning to knit. He loves them. The pattern is Light as AIR Fingerless Gloves by Nathalie O'Shea.  It is  shortened version as there was limited yarn.

 

Pictorial Quilt of My Husband

I recently finished this quilt based on a photo of my husband.  It's the first pictorial quilt I've done of a person. Skin tones/features are tough!  Still I am pretty happy with the outcome.  The finished quilt measures approx 19.5 in square.  It is machine appliqued and quilted.  

 Here is a detail photo.

Here is the original photo.

Illilouette Slouch Hat

I knit this hat using two leftover yarns.  The yarn is Lion Brand Wool-Ease Sportweight.  The pattern is Illilouette Hat by Jenna Swanson.  I plan to donate to the Knitting for Noggins program at our local children's hospital. 

Dappled Sunlight Shawl

Recently finished knitting this lovely shawl.  The pattern is Dappled Sunlight by Jennifer Weissma.  The yarn is Cloudborn Fibers Highland Fingering.  After blocking it measured 84 in along the long side, 64 in along the short side and 19 in wide. The top two photos are after blocking and the bottom three are during blocking.

Lizzie Portrait Quilt

This is my third portrait quilt.  The first two were the pear still life ones (here and here).  This one was made using a photo I took of my dog.  The teacher from the iQuilt class (Leni Levenson) actually took this photo of Lizzie and turned it into the pattern.   

The quilt is machine appliqued and quilted.  It measures approx 20.5 in x 21.75 in.  It is not perfect but turned out fairly well.  Here's the finished quilt.

Here are two detail photos

There are some things I hope to do better with more practice.  For example, I know that red fabric often will bleed if not washed (and sometime even if prewashed). The red fabric had been prewashed and when I washed the fabric markings from the quilt I used cold water to try to prevent bleed.  It happened anyway.  I fixed it by appliqueing more fabric over the red areas as you can see.

Also as I did the "dog" first and then decided on the background I had the brown fabric of the floor showing through the white of the "dog."  I had to "underline" the dog with a layer of muslin to hid the brown.

Just for fun check out this photo of Lizzie sitting with me while I was working on this quilt.