M'Lady's MP3 Player Bag

My MP3 player was residing in an odd sport sock, definitely not a classy case. With my new fascination with sock knitting, I was practicing the Aloha cast-on on circular knitting needles. Using a scrap ball of worsted weight yarn and 10 1/2 US circs, this little bottom up bag sort of magically grew on my needles. It is about 6 inches tall by 5 inches wide.

Here are the general instructions for worsted weight yarn and 10 1/2 US circular needles. Change them as necessary to get the gauge or size bag you desire. Note that an even number of stitches on each needle are required for the decreases and eyelets to distribute evenly.

1. Using the Aloha cast-on, cast on 8 stitches on each needle. Knit the first round.
   
2. Next round and those remaining until you have a total of 22 stitches on each needle: Knit 1, increase one in the next stitch and the next to the last stitch, knit last stitch on each needle.
   
3. Then knit even for about 3 inches.
4. Decrease: Knit one, knit 2 together every stitch then knit last stitch on each needle (12 stitches remaining on each needle).
5. Knit even 4 rounds.
6. Eyelet row: Knit 1, *YO (yarn over), knit 2 together* repeating until last stitch, YO then knit last stitch.
7. Knit even 4 rounds or so then bind off with the Stretch Armstrong sewn bind-off.
8. Make 2 twisted cords and thread through the eyelets for drawstrings. I started with 3 yards of yarn folded in half for each cord (each cord has 4 strands of yarn).

Let me know if you make a bag! I would love to see it!

Printing Tip for Freezer Paper Patterns

I am not going to repeat some of the great tutorials on foundation paper piecing with freezer paper or using freezer paper patterns for applique. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. The site below offers a great tutorial on foundation paper piecing with freezer paper:

http://www.twiddletails.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=21

Or freezer paper applique:

http://www.lizziebcre8ive.com/applique.asp http://atbquilting.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/freezer-paper-applique/
http://www.cddesigns.com/FreezerPaper/How-Applique.html
http://feeddog.blogspot.com/2008/11/tutorial-freezer-paper-circle-appliqu.html

My main point is to give you a tip on how to print patterns with a laser printer. It is easy with an ink-jet because there is no heat to apply print to the page. The freezer paper can be cut to the size of a standard sheet of paper and printed on the wax-less (non-shiny) side without any problems. A laser printer presents a special challenge because it uses heat.

Here is what to do. Cut a sheet of freezer paper 17 inches by 11 inches (the equivalent of two regular sheets of printer paper side by side, aka ledger paper). Fold the freezer paper in half with the shiny sides facing and insert a sheet of regular paper between the waxed surfaces. If you want to prevent any shifting of the layers, use a warm iron to baste the layers together. Now feed the paper through the manual slot of your laser printer. You can print on both sides before you separate the layers for use.

Have fun downloading patterns to print with a laser printer. You can start with the foundation paper ladybug above. Click to open the larger size, then right click to save it on your computer. The pattern should print a 6 1/2 inch square.

Let me know if you make the ladybug. I haven't had a chance, yet.

The Secret is Out!

My Aunt Gertrude, Dad's remaining sibling and only sister, celebrated her 90th birthday on March 7th. She lives in Connecticut and I haven't seen her since I was 8. My cousin planned a tea party for her on March 6th. To honor the occasion I made a quilted fabric postcard. The cute cupcake embroidery designs at Embroidery Library were on sale when I made the card so I had fun picking out one for her. Of course, if I could have attended I would have had DDIL make some of her real yummy cupcakes for the celebration.

I have a tutorial up at the WA 4-H site if you want to try a postcard. And check out the patterns for the card stock backs: http://4h.wsu.edu/clothing/quick_projects/list.htm

Now to make a few more for all the special spring birthdays. ;)

Great Giveaway at Tea Rose Home

Folks, there is a great give away at Tea Rose Home. Sachiko is giving away a kit for her project featured on Ucreate. Check out the great tutorial for this nice looking bag. It is a great spring project or gift.

Disappearing 4-Patch or the 4 to 9-Patch

The Disappearing 4-Patch or 4 to 9-Patch starts with a 4-patch block with good contrast in colors or shades and tones. The one below was made with 5 inch squares and it will finish to a 8.5 inch block from raw edge to raw edge if accurate scant 1/4 inch seams are used.
Next, make 4 cuts without moving the block or the cut pieces. Use a small mat so you can turn the block without disturbing it. Using the center seams as the reference point, measure out 1 inch and make a cut; then make a cut on the other side of the seam. Rotate and repeat, measuring 1 inch from the center seam for each cut.
Next, rotate only the center outside sections 180 degrees as shown in the photo below.

Sew the sections together as shown in the next two photos to complete the block.

There you have your new 9-patch block. You can vary the look by the width of the cut. This block makes a great charity quilt because it is fast to sew and looks complicated.

This block can be done starting with a 9-patch but using a 4-patch allows one more freedom to get the look desired by varying the width of the measurement from the center seam.

Finally!

In May of '09, I posted a picture of the quilt I made for my mom:

http://sewwonderful.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html

Well, the time wasn't right to give it. Mom was packing up a whole house to make a major move. Now, my parents are finally getting comfortable in their new home and it just seems like the right time to present the quilt as a sort of house warming gift.

Wednesday, I embroidered a label for the quilt on my Janome MC10K. Yesterday, I made it into a framed block, and this morning while doing laundry, I stitched it on. I am glad to have the quilt ready to give and my Mom will have to keep the quilt because the label makes it hers! ;)

Carving an Antique Singer

This slide show demonstrates an incredible eye for detail in miniature. Enjoy!