Finishing things

I love getting a project finished - and I've finished two things since I last posted. I completed my cowl, but it's been far to warm to wear it - we're having an early summer here in the UK. And I just finished the baby quilt in time for her due date, then she was 2 weeks late.
Okay, cowl pics first:

I didn't free motion quilt Imogen's quilt in the end, but did a curvy pattern using my darning foot with the feet dogs up. I'm pleased with the result and will try something more adventurous next time - maybe with more time, less pressure.

Anyway, Lucy and Al loved it and that's the most important thing.

I love listening to crafty podcasts and one of my favourites is Green Stitch. I was delighted to win one of Anne's competitions and received these lovely felted squares:

I'm not sure what to make with them, so if you have any ideas, let me know....

This may be my last post until the autumn as it's getting to the time of year when I have tons to do outside - check out my gardening blog to see what goes on there. But I will be doing some craft stuff if it rains. I'm on the home-straight with Keith's waistcoat, the next knitting project is those socks from the last post, and I'ce designed the new girl baby quilt and bought the fabric. And I will get the last wallhanging of the seasonal series done soon....

Quilt for a new baby

So, I've been working on the quilt for Al and Lucy's new baby. She is due on April 6th. I have the top pieced and the backing fabric purchased. Once I've done this blogpost, I'm going to tack the three layers together.

The idea for this pattern came from RetroMummy - but hers is much larger. But like hers, I plan to free-motion quilt it. It'll be the first quilt I've done that to, but I think I can cope. Then I'm going to make a binding by chain piecing lots of the different fabrics in it together.

My plan was to try and get a quilt for a baby boy and a quilt for a baby girl stashed away so I always have one ready. But this one is spoken for, for Al and Lucy's new baby. So I need to get straight on to another girl quilt once this one is finished. I bought a jelly roll of lots of these pretty pink and pastel fabrics, so I thought I'd try this pattern described on GreenStitch.

I've also been knitting - and going to a knitting group, KnitWits in Coventry. So far it's proved very useful as I need lots of advice since I don't really know what I'm doing. It's also made me realise that what i really like to wear are the kinds of knitting that take an age to make - not big chunky lacy knits, but slow plain fabrics with lighter yarn and small needles. Also, I've decided to try knitting patterns that are meant to go with the yarn for a while, as I think that will be more successful. I'm going to start with these socks from Easy Knits:

I've also finished this cardigan for the new baby:

And been working on a cowl for me:

Keith's waistcoat is still ongoing but I'm on the second front now. So on the home straight.

Often at this time of year, I like to make a craft plan for the year ahead - but I'm less sure this year than previous years. Still, here goes:

• finish set of cross-stitch wall hangings - just Summer Solstice to do
• new baby girl quilt
• improve quilting skills generally
• finish cord skirt for me
• blouse muslin with fba for me
• knit some fancy socks
• knit me a cardigan
• finish Keith's waistcoat
• knit me a lovely hat for next winter

Other ideas include knitting some fancy scarves inspired by Carol Klein, making a quilt for our bed (yeah, right), knitting gloves and more quilts. Well, we'll see - watch this space!