By lilysunshine, on 26 January 2012, at 9:29 am 
Last week, Jen’s showed us a block made of Half Squares Triangles (HSTs). Now, there’s nothing in quilting I like more than HSTs. I just love making them, and I love the never ending possibilities that they offer.
I’d say, expect quite a few tutorials for HSTs blocks from me. Ahem.
Today, we are making this block:
I love this block so much!
With HSTs, it is really important to check that you’re seam allowance really is a scant 1/4 inch. Honestly there, it is almost better if you are a bit under.
But for this week block, I started with a base square about half an inch bigger than necessary. If your seam allowances are perfect, you should be ok with a base square of about 4″ (if you have some scraps you want to use, for example).
I preferred to be on the safe side, so I cut my base squares to 4.5″. I ended up with HSTs blocks which were about 4″ squares, and I trimmed them down to 3.5″.
Now, you just don’t go and trim an HST block just like that. If you look at your quilting ruler, you’ll notice that it’s got a 45 degrees line (as well as a 60 one, but this one we don’t need for this blocks). To perfectly trim an HST block, you will need to line up this 45 degree lineon the diagonal of your HST block (along the long side of the triangle) and the 3.5″ line with the sides of your block. And repeat for all sides of your HST block. It is much easier than it sounds, trust me!
The rest of the instructions are in this handy pdf file: Bouquet
I’m looking forward to seeing what you will make with this block! Do share your blocks with us on Flickr or here, with this handy linky thingy!
By lilysunshine, on 24 January 2012, at 1:47 pm This morning, I was 3 blocks behind (!!!) on Jen’s block. This afternoon, I am all caught up! Oooo, yeah!
I’m not sure why I had got behind? Maybe a lack of sewing mojo? Anyway, they are done and I love them!
All aquas, with aqua borders. I thought about using a white border on the last block, the pinwheel one, but I liked it more with the aqua borders. Those were easy blocks (and what’s not to like about easy blocks?!) and I love love LOVE them! I think my favourite of this batch is the 16 squares one. But it’s a tough call.
And here are all my blocks so far.
It’s starting to look good, no? I need to add some blocks with a grey border, but as it is, it would make a pretty decent baby quilt, what do you think?
I used to dislike red and aqua together, but it has really grown on me. I’m loving the sampler effect of this quilt and I can’t wait to make some more blocks!
By lilysunshine, on 19 January 2012, at 10:50 am Back in… Mmm… When was it? Sometime in the Spring? I was asked to submit some ideas for a Fyberspates baby book. I was chuffed as you can imagine, but I was even more chuffed when one of my ideas was picked!
This project kept me busy during August and September and I am pleased to finally be able to tell you more about it! The book is on its way to shops and resellers, and you can also find it here on the Fyberspates website. It contains 8 beautiful patterns by the likes of Judy Furlong, Belinda Boaden and Kyoko Nakayoshi. It is quite exciting to see my name amongst those! You can preview all the patterns included in the book by going to the Ravelry page.
My (little) contribution was the Ensar Dungarees (Rav pattern page).
When my son was little he used to live in dungarees similar to the Ensar ones. They were so practical and warm. The deep opening on the front and the stretch of the fabric mean that you only need to open the bottom buttons to get baby’s legs out, which makes for an easy change of nappies.
The dungarees have enough ease to be worn over long-sleeved bodysuits, which means baby will always be warm and comfy.
The pattern comes in 5 sizes from birth to 2 years-old. It is knitted flat in pieces, but it could also be converted to be knitted in the round quite easily (just remove 1 stitch on all sides). The cables can also be easily worked without a cable needle. This is how I knitted it (without the cable needle), which saved my sanity – I knitted 2 of these dungarees in quite a short time!
Here it is without the buttons (of which you will need 8, about 11mm in size – I got mines from ebay). The Scrumptious works so well with the reverse stocking stitch and the cables. And it is so shiny and soft, it’s perfect for this one special baby outfit!
I hear Jeni is off to TNNA with the book. It is quite exciting! I’m a bit gobsmacked to be part of something that big – it feels good, I tell you! The pattern has already gathered a lot of love on Ravelry (many favourites and queues!) and I can’t wait to see it knitted up by other people. I will be adding my own projects to the Ravelry database very shortly (with very limited notes, if any, as my memory might not go that far!)
The book is totally worth its small price (honestly, £7.50 for 8 patterns is a total bargain). I am sure I will be knitting a few of the other patterns in the book: I love Kyoko’s Kimono and I might make Judy’s shawl for myself, it is SO pretty!
So go on, get the book! ;)
Small notes: All the pics (except the bottom one) are copyrighted to Fyberspates. The Ensar Dungarees will only be available through the book, they won’t be released in any other shape or form in the future.
By lilysunshine, on 17 January 2012, at 9:06 am Last week, I mentioned I was just about to publish a pattern that had been in the making since last summer. With the help of fantastic test knitters and a wonderful tech editor (thanks, Rachel!), the patter is finally available to all!
To say that I am pleased would be an understatement! It’s always so exciting when a pattern gets to meet its audience!
Beynac (Ravelry link to the pattern page) is a cuff-down striped sock pattern, where the changes between colours are progressive and done with a few rounds of stranded colourwork.
Colourwork, on socks, I hear you gasp in horror! But fear not, there is so little of it that even beginners can knit them, without encountering the dreadful ‘Eurgh, too tight, it will never go over my ankle’ that is sometimes the downfall of stranded colourwork of socks. I assure you, this won’t happen with Beynac!
The pattern uses The Yarn Yard‘ Clan. It’s a lovely lovely yarn, which got almost a cotton feel to it, but is still very bouncy and extremely pleasant to work with. It also wears very well, despite being 100% Merino. I’ve knitted these socks back in July and I’ve been wearing them quite regularly over the cold season and they don’t show any signs of wear yet.
There isn’t any Clan right now in Natalie’s shop, but if you ask her kindly, I’m sure she’ll add some to her dye pots. She comes up with those wonderful saturated colours, it makes for wonderful socks (and other things!).
Of course, this pattern is also ideal for leftover sock yarn. I’d say that each stripes and transition colourwork should not use more than 10g of yarn, except the heel which might use a little bit more (but still well under 20g, I would say).
The sock uses a German Heel, also called Double-stitch Heel. It is a sort of short-rows heel, but without any wrapping of stitches. Instead, the yarn is pulled in such a way that it creates a double-stitch. The pattern contains a link to a very clear tutorial to help with the heel.
And finally, the sock ends with an ergonomic toe, which is shaped to follow the natural curve of the foot. It makes for perfectly fitting socks which don’t bunch up at the top of your big toe.
I have to say that I’m really pleased by the launch of Beynac. It seems to be quite successful, if I judge by the number of favourites, queues and even sales! This is really encouraging as I have so many ideas, I am bound to self-publish more patterns in the future. (It’s even in the top 3 of sock patterns “hot right now” on Rav!)
If you would like to buy the pattern (which comes in a handy pdf file), you can do so buy clicking this button: 
The pattern is only £2.50 until the end of January (after that, it will be £3). You do not need a Ravelry account to buy it. :)
By lilysunshine, on 13 January 2012, at 11:49 am As promised yesterday, here is the second block for this week. I missed a week over the Christmas holidays, so it’s only fair that I come to you with an extra block to catch up.
It is quite a simple block, based on thin 1.5″ x 10.5″ strips (I actually cut them to 11″ to give me a little breathing room) subcut into 3.5″ x 3.5″ squares. And just rearranged randomly.
The instructions are all in this pdf: Stripy Squares.
As for yesterday’s block, the crucial thing is to ensure that your seam allowances are exactly 1/4″. Each stripes, once all sewn together, should be 1″ wide.
And here are all my blocks so far:
I’m really pleased with all of them. This weekend, I shall catch up on Jen‘s blocks, and they will be aqua. There.
I’m looking forward to seeing what everybody’s doing!
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Knitting patterns for sale Beynac Sock pattern
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