Just Joined CIC

I just joined the CIC-knit group on Yahoo. For those who don't know, Children in Common-knit is a group of knitters who make knitted items for children in orphanages in Russian and the former Soviet Union. The knitted items are then delivered to the orphanages by parents who travel to the country to adopt a child. They accept all kinds of knitted items: socks, vests, mittens, sweaters, etc. All items must be made of at least 50% wool or animal fiber. To learn more about CIC you can visit the Children in Common website. You can join the CIC-knit Yahoo! group by clicking on the link at the right.

I'm off for a fun-filled weekend in Indy with my family - zoo, children's museum, restaurants, shopping! Woo-hoo!

Welcome!!

Welcome to my blog!!

I have been considering starting a blog for quite awhile and I've finally decided to just jump in. I am a quilt/fiber artist, wife, mother to 4-year-old boy-girl twins and a university chemistry professor (part time). So, since I don't keep very busy, I decided I needed another activity! Hopefully this blog will help to keep me motivated and organized.

Here is a picture of my little angels with their favorite friend.


My quilting/fiber art has taken a definite back seat in my life over the past four years but I think the kids are finally getting old enough for me to get back into it. Here are some examples of my art quilts:

Beginnings
18" x 18"


Unexpected Results
15" x 20"


Flora
19" x 18.5"

For the moment I have been satisfying my creative urges through knitting. I taught myself to knit a little over a year ago and I can't seem to stop! Some of the projects I have completed in the last year include two pairs of toddler socks for the Children in Common project.


Pattern: Toddler Chain Link Socks pattern from the Six Sox KAL (designed by Deby Lake)
Needles: Size 2 bamboo dpns
Yarn (blue socks): Patons Classic Wool in Denim Marl for main color and Patons Classic Wool in Winter White for contrast
Yarn (pink/purple socks): Lion Brand Wool in Flower Garden for main color and Sensatons Bellezza Collection Tesoro in Lavender for contrast

I made myself some basic socks (my first pair of socks) using Kim Goddard's Basic Sock pattern.

Pattern: Basic Sock Pattern
Yarn: GGH Marathon (I don't know the color but I love it)

I also made a pair of Chain Link socks for myself.

Pattern: Chain Link Socks pattern from the Six Sox KAL (designed by Deby Lake)
Needles: Size 1(US) dpn
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock "Water" for main color and Fortissima Socka "Black" for contrast

Ian (my son) got a pair of socks:

Pattern: Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd
Size: 4- 8 years (6.5" finished foot circumference)
Needles: US2 bamboo dpns for cuff and US1 bamboo dpns for remainder
Yarn: GGH Marathon, color #723 (bright turquoise tweed)
52 stitch cast on

I made myself a tank top using a pattern from Sirdar.

Pattern: Sirdar Duet Pullover
Size: 10
Needles: US4 and US6
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patine (100% cotton), color #18 (sage green)
Modifications: Increased the length by 3 inches.

Here is the Katia Fanny Cardigan by Katia of Spain:

Pattern: Katia Fanny Cardigan (free pattern from Elann)
Size: 33.5" bust
Needles: US 5 Bryspun circulars
Yarn: Katia Fanny (50% silk/50% rayon), color #7 (cream)

The Eyelet Cardigan from Blue Sky Alpacas:

Pattern: Eyelet Cardigan from Blue Sky Alpacas
Size: Small
Needles: US 7 Bryspun circulars
Yarn: Blue Sky Dyed Cotton (100% cotton) in color #618 (orchid)