TyQuilts Designs

For the June TIF challenge one of the things Sharon said was “So this month the idea to think about is stories that are and stories that are possible” in relation to our stash. Now I have a stash of quilting fabric that spans 23 years, scrapbooking supplies that span 13 years, beading supplies from the past couple of years as well as yarn. This should be an easy topic for me, but I have been drawing a complete blank. Instead of find myself thinking of the story that wasn’t.

It was the thick of winter in Minnesota and I walked into the LQS to find this fabulous bundle of tropical fabrics. I just had to have them, but in this case inspiration was fleeting. I took that bundle home, scanned them into EQ6 and played with designs but nothing inspired me. I went to may stash to find fabrics to pull to go with these fabrics, again nothing.. So through the winter months into what could loosely be called spring and on to the storm season we are currently in, these fabrics sat in a forlorn little pile waiting to be used. I suppose I could put them away in my stash, or even give them away, but instead I think I will use them for this months challenge and give them a story.

Our bedroom is painted Caribbean blue and I am thinking perhaps I can make these into pillows or even a bed scarf. My goal for this months challenge is to just come up with the design as I have very little free time this month with some other projects going, and obviously this will be a departure from my normal postcard sized piece. Hopefully by the end of the month, I will have a design to post.

I have knit off and on over the years. 20 plus years ago when my son was small I designed and knit a few sweaters for him. I designed them myself because following a pattern has always been problematic for me due to gauge. I knit very loosely, and freq need to go down two sizes to get the correct gauge. So usually, since I am knitting as a travel project or a way to relax I knit something like a scarf where gauge doesn’t matter. Well I have wanted to knit socks for awhile now and so finally bit the bullet and got started. I used the size needle in the pattern since I have a very wide foot and ankles that tend to swell, thinking that would give me a more comfortable sock. I also knit the cuff in knit two perl two ribbing for more give. Well, as you can see the sock doesn’t quite look like everyone else’s lovely knit socks.. gauge really does matter.

The sock doesn’t look as bad on, although it is really too loose. Now, you would think I would buy smaller needles and test gauge and start over, but no.. That would be too simple. I still want a sock that is a little looser than normal, so I am measuring this sock against the pattern instructions, and adapting the pattern and we shall see. I will let you know how it turns out. Wish me luck.