knitting « skalabara quilts

Before starting to work on my UFOs and giving it a go to finish them, I have decided to piece a few smaller projects. What could be better to work on than a cushion cover or a placemat?! I have promised my colleague to make two cushion covers with the Bunny block from the Fancy Forest quilt pattern by Elizabeth Hartman. It is not the first time I have worked with this pattern. The cutting and piecing of the individual blocks is explained very well and easy to follow. I have a quilt top with one section of the Fancy Forest ready to quilt. I checked what sizes of cushion inserts are available and found the right size for the Bunny cushion covers : 30 x 40 cm / 12″ x 16″. The actual block has a finished size 8″ x 11″ and by adding the borders I got the desired cushion size.

I have quilted the cushion covers in a wavy pattern with the walking foot. My favourite quilting pattern at the moment! Thread used is Gutermann Sulky 30 cotton in light grey #1328, wadding is Quilters Dream Cotton Natural Select.

Both cushion covers have a zipper closure on the back.

The next cushion cover is knitted and it is for a charity auction. I have used one 100g ball of Aura yarn by Sirdar and the knitting pattern is called Chevron Seed Stitch. As I have mentioned before, I do like to knit, but only basic patterns. This is why I look for knitting patterns that use only knit and purl stitches. The cushion size is 16″ x 16″. The back is in a coordinated burgundy fabric and has a zipper closure.

The Chevron Seed knitting pattern in detail.

My last project over the weekend was a placemat inspired by Tomomi from Slaney HandCraft. This is and ideal project using fabrics from the scrap basket. The size is approx. 12″ x 18″.

The photo of the back shows well the quilting – straight lines with the walking foot following the seams. Thread is Mettler Quilting 40 #0959 in fuchsia.

And a close up of the quilting.

Well, hope you all have a good week,

barbora flower small skalabara quilts

Last week I received some wool and it was time to unwind the lace yarn and have it ready to start my new knitting project. A design by Asa Tricosa : non troppo wrap. It is another shawl with purl and knit stitches, but has some new techniques for me. Looking forward to do some knitting and I am wondering if I can understand and follow the pattern. Up to now I have made my own calculations for the things I have knitted.

I have chosen jeans blue and apple green to knit the stripes. The Drops Lace yarn is a mixture of 70% baby alpaca and 30% mulberry silk, 100 g = 800 m / 875 yd. The Drops Kid-Silk is a mix of 70% super kid mohair and 30% silk, ball 25 g = 200 m / 218 yd. When I see how thin the yarn is, I shall be still knitting next year!!

And here photos of the finished white triangle shawl, knitted also with Drops Kid-Silk. It is warm and cosy. As the winter is gone, I hope I can use it in the spring over the shoulders.