Loopy sock knitting

It seems that many crafters have a small portable project for when they're out and about.  I've found that sock knitting is often my portable project, especially now I've got a climbing chalk bag to carry it round in.

My current project is a plain pair of socks but for the first time I'm using the magic loop technique.

It took a while to get used to it and I'm still finding managing the loops tricky but I think it may be something I will use again.  Although all I've managed to find so far on the internet are basic sock patterns using the magic loop technique, I know it's probably possible to adapt any pattern to this technique eventually but I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.  If there are any other sock knitters out there can you recommend any sources of magic loop sock patterns?  I always enjoy practising my new tricks a few times.

How I Make A Kindle Cover...

Looking back through my posts I, apparently, learnt how to make a Kindle cover from a tutorial I found on Junie Moon's blog.  I say apparently as there is no sign of the tutorial on the blog anymore.  In the last few years I have made several Kindle covers using the same design and making it up as I go from memory.  When I made my last cover I decided to record the steps so I could post them here and then next time I make a cover I won't have to spend half a day figuring out the maths and details.  

(Please note this is still a bit of a work in progress and will probably be tweaked in coming months for my own sanity and to ensure every step works, but I need the basics recorded somewhere!)

So here goes....

A kindle cover needs outer fabric, lining fabric, thin wadding, velcro and a button

Cut the following pieces for a Kindle measuring 7 x 5 inches: 

    1 lining 7.75 x 5.75 (3/4 inch longer and wider than kindle)

    1 lining 9.75 x 5.75

    1 outer and 1 wadding 8 x 6 (1 inch longer and wider than kindle)

    1 outer and 1 wadding 10 x 6

Layer the longer piece of wadding, longer outer fabric face up and the longer lining face down (if it has a face).  Top edges should all be lined up.  Place a pin 2 inches down from the top on either side this will create the flap for your kindle.

Sew round the top, between the two pins, using a 1/4 inch allowance.

Clip corners and turn right side out.  This is the back.

Layer the three remaining pieces of fabric - wadding, outer face up, lining face down - with top edges lined up.  With a 1/4 inch seam sew along the top.  This is the front.

Tricky bit to explain...open up the front and back so that the lining is on its own at the top and the wadding and outer are at the bottom.  Place the front on top of the back so that the right sides of the outers and the linings meet, the wadding is on the outside and the flap is sandwiched in the middle.  Make sure the bottom of the outers and waddings meet up (yet to figure out why the linings don't).  Sew almost all the way around using a 1/4 inch seam.  Leave a gap in the lining for turning.

Turn right way round and try and remember to sew up hole in the lining!

Finally, sew velcro under the flap and a decorative button on the outside.

May's FNSI

Unfortunately due to not getting back home from work till late I haven't done as much as I wanted this FNSI.  However, I have achieved another finish...

This Kindle cover is for one of my closest friends, I just really hope it fits!

Off to find out about everyone else's Friday nights...

Another Start

I am putting together another (hopefully quick seeing as it's for a July baby) baby quilt.  The fabric is Moda's ABC Menagerie and the design is the Double Slice Quilt.  After the disappearing nine patch quilt I've decided to try another scrappy quilt.  I'm just a little concerned it'll be a little too lively for a newborn...but we'll see haven't made a quilt I don't like yet.

FNSI Prizes

I was lucky enough to be selected as the winner of April's FNSI...

I adore both of these. If anyone needs me I'm browsing charm pack patterns!

Like buses...

...you wait around ages for a finish and then two turn up at once.

A finished Christmas table runner based on Rebecca Silbaugh's Santa's Cookie Mat pattern made with a Moda Joy charm pack and a Moda solids charm pack. It's bound in a Makower fabric.

I quilted it using a large stipple and took the risk of using a different coloured top and bottom thread to blend the quilting in on the backing.  It's not worked absolutely perfectly as the top thread is visible on the back in places but it's better than using white on the back.

I adore this backing fabric, holly leaves with a gold outline, which I picked up in a fabric mill.

All in all I'm really pleased with this finish and will definitely be making more things using this design.