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cleansing the pallet
Posted on | June 30, 2010 | 12 Comments
In my last post, I mentioned having some failures, so let’s get that out of the way real quick.
My Boutis project isn’t going to work – not surprising really, since I tried to use an embroidery pattern instead of a Boutis pattern.
You can see the raised areas where I stuffed the flower petals and leaves, but other than the center stem line (that I added to the pattern), there aren’t any other raised areas to bring the design together, and the design is too small to modify each and every flower and leaf stem. I just don’t think it’s going to work. Which makes me a little bummed, but I enjoyed the stitching, it was good practice, and I will definitely try again – next time with an appropriate pattern.
A pattern like this would’ve been a better choice, although I’d have to add some lines in the flat (empty) areas of the design.
The above pattern and the earlier embroidery pattern came from a book of patterns that was brought to a guild meeting as a “I’m cleaning out my closets, please take these” give-away.
It has some really cool patterns – for quilts, embroidery, hook rugs, cross stitch, you name it. The pattern for the knitted counterpane afghan was missing, I imagine that’s why the book was purchased. The copyright is 1963, and I just located the companion book on Amazon – how cool that it was written by Rose Wilder Lane – Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter!!! Yes, it’s been ordered – for less than five bucks! Woot!
I will be ordering a book of Boutis patterns as well, at some point. I’m trying not to get too far into this quilting thing because I can see where this is going (yesterday I spent a scary amount of time looking at quilting blogs) and I have no room for a fabric stash! NO. ROOM.
Of course, I’ve cast on a new project to cleanse my pallet.
Behold the colors for a Parcheesi Afghan for a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law! (shoot, I hope she doesn’t read this. Did I tell you guys about being “outed” to my MIL about my blog? A friend was on a plane with my MIL and was knitting, they struck up a conversation, MIL mentions that I knit, friend mentions that she knows me and proceeds to pull up my blog on her laptop and show MIL!!!! Color me surprised. My own mother doesn’t know about the blog! Anyway. It’s all good.)
When it’s time to start a new square, I set five colors out on the bar and play with the arrangement until I find something I like. The purple is the center of each square.
Two of the six large squares are finished, and the third is started. It’s great mindless knitting and garter stitch always makes me happy, so I’m hoping this will be a quick project to knock out and put in the gift box!
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12 Responses to “cleansing the pallet”
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June 30th, 2010 @ 9:16 am
Sorry you had a fail. But, that’s how we learn, I guess. Funny about being “outed”!
June 30th, 2010 @ 9:58 am
That afghan looks like a great stash-buster! Hmm, I may have to think about that :)
Sorry the first Boutis project didn’t work out. I’m glad you’re not too discouraged from trying that technique again. It looks really nifty!
June 30th, 2010 @ 11:16 am
Your family doesn’t know you blog? Whoah. My entire family, including those in Puerto Rico know about my blog through Facebook since it updates into my feed. Are you shy? Your work is so beautiful, as is your photography.
Love the vintage pattern book! I was just given a history of spinning booklet from NINETEEN FREAKING FOURTY NINE recently! Steve’s family has some really neat “junk” from the ages.
June 30th, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
Love the mindless projects! So good for the knitter’s soul, I think, to get back to the basics sometimes.
June 30th, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
The afghan’s looking awesome! I love all the colors, and all that squishy garter stitch will be very cozy.
My family’s not really aware of my blog, either, which is great b/c I can blog gifts that I’m making for them!
July 1st, 2010 @ 7:34 am
That afghan is going to be FABULOUS, dahling. I think you should use your first attempt at boutis project as a type of Alabama Chanin project or something; not sure how exactly, but it would lend itself well to that, no?
You know, I have to admit I don’t have any more room for fabric or anything else, but when I think that I just have to roll my eyes and convince myself there’s a cubby somewhere I’m not using! It’s a sickness really.
July 1st, 2010 @ 9:36 am
Nice work lady! And, I love that afghan – I’m already thinking of a fast way to whip one out (heh) on my knitting machine. I love the colors you picked! Thanks for the linky.
July 1st, 2010 @ 6:04 pm
Oh yeah, that’s outed for sure. I’m glad my family doesn’t know about mine. My MIL, etc., do, and they cheer me on.
The afghan is going to be special!
July 1st, 2010 @ 8:11 pm
Projects are looking good! Can’t wait to see what you’re knitting!
July 2nd, 2010 @ 12:18 pm
I am loving the colors you chose for the afghan…beautiful and sort of ‘natural’…which work well together!
Sorry to hear the first attempt at the needlework didn’t work out. As frustrating as it is, these ‘fails’ always end up being a positive when we try it again. Looking forward to seeing which pattern calls out to you for the next attempt!
July 2nd, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
Wow great colors for the afghan. I like the way it’s put together, less intimidating than working on one large piece.
My family mostly knows about my blog and, with the exception of my sisters, couldn’t care less. I get no respect :-). Perhaps I should start making up stories about them and see how long before they notice!
July 3rd, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
Too bad about the boutis; it’s always disappointing when the first attempt fails, but it sounds like you learned something at least!
I love the colors in the afghan for your MIL. It’s going to be beautiful!