the blue blog archives: scratching the itch, but not itching to knit

I've spent the last few nights washing and ironing fabric and cutting out pattern pieces for some sewing projects I just can't get out of my head. I have tried to think about a new project to knit, I swear, but it seems that my hands are only itching to sew right now.

They are itching to start piecing B's yellow quilt (I've just finished cutting the first sets of strips for the blocks). They are itching to sew up three spring/summer tops for me (yes, for ME!). They are itching to make yet another dress for wee one. And they are itching to whip up a gaggle of little bloomers for wee to wear under her dresses. They are itching to sew another Oliver & S pattern. They are itching to finally make an Amy Butler pattern. And they are itching to try a couple of patterns from Heather Ross's new book, Weekend Sewing, (which is totally fab, by the way!).

posted by alison at 1:01 pm | in spring sewing

Comments

Funny - I've been knitting a lot lately - mostly on a purple Freestyle Wonderful Wallaby for my middle grand for his birthday (he is my BD present grand, having been due on my BD & born 2 days late - also the only one who has my dark hair & eyes & shares a lot of my taste - including a love of purple.) In fact, the skin on my hands feels kind of raw from the yarn. I am planning on knitting one for each of the grands, in their favorite colors for their
BD's, the first in early Sept & the other 2 in the first half of Nov. Love, love, love the pink & purple fabric. Hopefully, I will get back into the sewing mood in the fall. I have a bunch of fleece that I plan on sewing up into pj's for them. It is much colder in Palo Alto than they thought it would be & their house has lots of windows & no insulation & no basement. So it's impossible to keep it warm.

Posted by: Donna at May 29, 2009 1:27 PM

Please sew, sew, sew . . . I know how to do that! I don't know how to knit, but I'd love to learn. I'm going to check with some ladies at church to see if any of them know and would teach me. If you start on a quilt, could you post some pics of the process? I haven't tried to make one of those yet, and really don't know where to start. I would say I'm an intermediate sewer. I just need to see what materials to use, and how to start putting it together. :-)

Posted by: Brandi at May 29, 2009 3:11 PM

I'm interested in your take on the Heather Ross book - the Amazon reviews are less than exciting.

Posted by: ames at May 29, 2009 4:09 PM

Thank you for this post! I've been knitting like a fool lately, ordering yarn obsessively, to the point where my 10 y.o. son asked me why I keep buying yarn when I already have so much:) I have been scratching the knitting itch despite the fact that I have a full-blown jewelry studio and have had no desire to do jewelry lately. So your post helped me let go of the pressure (guilt?) to make jewelry and to just give into the knitting compulsion. Thanks!

Posted by: Sharon at May 29, 2009 6:52 PM

I have made the Cabo Halter - great pattern. You will love.

Posted by: sheryl at May 29, 2009 10:23 PM

Speaking of knitting . . . Sockapalooza . . . :)

Posted by: Heather at May 29, 2009 10:28 PM

Ames, I'll be sure to let you know after I try out these couple of patterns!

Sharon, knit away!!!

Posted by: ALISON at May 29, 2009 11:43 PM

Oh! I hope you'll post some pictures of the tops you make! I'm eager for school to be out so I can sew some blouses for myself, too. I'm going to the quilt shop for zippy fabrics. I hope I'm brave enough to wear my creations, as I have so many ideas! I love the Folk Patterns website for ethnic ideas. They are expensive but classic. Thank you for your inspiring post.

Posted by: Pom Pom at May 31, 2009 10:31 AM

I'm hoping to get back to crafting once all of my boxes are unpacked, but I have about 10 projects I really want to start. I love the Amy Butler pattern, though I have never made any of them. They look really neat.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at June 2, 2009 6:40 AM