GRAYWOOD DESIGNS

Element: A basic knitted wrap

2011-10-31T15:37:00.002-04:00

Now on Ravelry and on our website, here's the newest knitting pattern from Graywood Designs. This wrap pattern uses two skeins of worsted weight yarn and is easy to knit. You can buy the pattern from Ravelry via the PDF download system. Or find Element on our website under the patterns section. This design uses 400-420 yards of worsted weight yarn. The cover sample is knit using Brown Sheep Serendipity Tweed. The color name is "Nebraska Tweed." Very versatile. Very easy to wear.

Graywood Patterns Available on Ravelry

2011-10-27T13:11:00.000-04:00

Well, really just the Knitcushion pattern is now available as a PDF download via the Ravelry website. If you are a Ravelry knitter, take a look HERE.

And, if you are not on Ravelry yet, its time to sign in and sign up to this great knitting and sharing website! Graywood sends out a special thank you to Tunie in Australia for encouraging us to add PDF downloads to our pattern offerings. Thanks, Tunie!

A Totebag for Your Stuff

2011-05-17T09:41:00.001-04:00

Here's the newest My Stuff Totebag from the Graywood Studio. I wanted a new knitting bag and wanted it quick, so I didn't line this one. I did sew an inside pocket to the freeform side of the bag. The stitching shows on the outside, but, gee, it's freeform!

The bag is about 17" high. I put longer handles on this bag. They measure about 26" and are anchored with two stitching lines along the top band. Oh yes, I also used a standard quilt binding around the top. I fussed and cut it bias though. This photo shows the My Stuff Totebag on my Ikea knitting chair with a red lace scarf (from Sterling Silk & Silver) that I'm almost finished knitting. Such pleasure!

Here's where you can find the pattern -- My Stuff Totebag Pattern with Thangles -- $12

The My Stuff Totebag (GW34) makes a great daybag. The pattern gives step by step, detailed instructions for lining and two inner pockets for smaller items like a cellphone, a paperback or your chocolate stash.

You use 3.5” THANGLES to piece a large star on the front. The back is pieced using a freeform approach that I call "you be the designer." The totebag is made from four separately quilted pieces – front, back, side units (quilted as one), bottom – that are easy to maneuver under a standard sewing machine.

Solids Bring Calmness to Quilts

2011-04-27T13:29:00.000-04:00

"Mango Topper" from Tapestry of Texture book
Kona solids used with focus and batiks

Solids bring a calmness to quilting. Here in the Graywood Designs Studio we used to shy away from solid colored fabrics. Now we have come to know them as a calming influence in our designs. We like the matte effect that they provide.

Our eyes will travel across the piecing and pause because of a solid. It is that pause and the consideration of "why did the quilter do that?" that makes the the use of a solid give punch to a quilt composition.

Our absolute favorite solids are Robert Kaufman Kona solids. You will find many of the colors that we've used in our books on our website.

"Center Diamond Placemat" -- pattern from Maxmats book
Kona solid used as inside border fabric

Kona Cotton Solids

Tapestry of Texture: Table Runners & Covers With Quilted Style

Maxmats: Quilted Projects for Kids and Families

S - L - O - W Knitting

2011-04-26T16:12:00.000-04:00

SLOW -- 25 stitch
per minute zone

I'm a big believer in slowing some things in life down. Like my knitting. I get clicking away so fast at times that I lose sight of the joy in knitting.

Lately I've been working on a really easy project. It's a shawl that I'm knitting for summer. I've messed up the stitch pattern at least three times. Easy as the sequence is, I knit backwards to the mistake and then, slowly, begin again.

I make myself slow down by stopping at the end of every row and checking the knitting. Sometimes I count the stitches to be sure that the numbers are correct. If I'm doing a lace pattern, I look for the yarn over holes and the decrease bars.

Getting up for a glass of water stretches my back and relaxes my hands. Just looking up from the needles and yarn and leaning back changes my focus and gives my eyes a break.

While it is great to finish a project (or a row or a sequence of rows) it's also good to get to that end with enough energy and enthusiasm to move to the next knitting moment.

Zauberball Socks -- Up Close and Finished!

2011-04-20T12:07:00.000-04:00

I've just had too much fun with the word "Zauberball" and with sock knitting. Here are the Zauberball socks, finished, and modeled by my very own two feet, thanks to the magic of easily handled digital cameras. It helps that I finally got a pedicure for my winter weary feet.

I used our NRS Sock pattern to knit this pair. These socks are knit with a six inch leg length in a k 2, p 2 ribbing. The photo on the right shows the two small balls that were left after finishing. I could easily have knit a seven or 8 inch leg; this yarn has very good yardage.

I'm a "wander" knitter -- these socks were started on double point needles. Then they wandered over to one long needle where finished knitting them using the two-at-a-time method. I like to take knitting along when I fly, but I find that managing two balls of yarn doesn't make for easy airplane knitting. So I move socks back and forth between both sock knitting methods. I wander-knit and it works for me.

These socks are knit with Crazy Zauberball in Color #1527 -- teal, burgundy, gray.

One of the drawbacks of having yarn in the Graywood Studio Store is that I don't get to wear the samples that I knit. Not just yet anyway. My knitted Zauberball socks are on display at the Studio Store. So, when you stop by the Studio Store or visit the sock yarns at Graywood Designs.com you can take a look at the luscious colors of Zauberball and a completed pair of socks!

Arlene's Memory Quilt

2011-04-19T12:27:00.016-04:00

Arlene Swartzendruber brought in a memory quilt that contains signed squares from colleagues and friends who wished her a happy birthday when she hit the seventy year mark. Since the squares date from over ten years ago, she and I chuckled about how long it takes some of us to finish projects. We both enjoyed looking over the names and reflecting on the days when Pigeon River Mercantile & Wool Co., my former quilt shop, was a big part of our lives.

Names on the quilt include: Jenny Wheeler, Iris Viele, Isabel Leipprandt, Brenda Thompson, Ginny Kohr, Alice Sosnoski, Nancy Englehardt, Zita Sturm, Carol Bain, Doris Gettel, Margery Walendzek, Pauline Eichler, Wanda Eichler, Jane Braun, Goldie Gunden, Loretta Kramer, Gloria Busch, Gail & Lindsie Brown, Mary O'Brien Terbush, Janet Adler, Kellie Deming, Delia Favazza, and Jane Spencer.

Thank you to Mary Quintessa Damen for taking this photo of Arlene and me. Special thanks to Arlene for letting us display her quilt which brings back lots of memories!

FREE PATTERN: Basic Diagonal Washcloth

2011-04-12T19:29:00.008-04:00

Easy knitting. That's what washcloths are and that's why we see so many of them at craft shows and bazaars. We are re-imagining the basic washcloth.

We see it as a spa gift decked out with a sparkly ribbon and wrapped around a bar of glycerin soap. Such a thoughtful gift.

Make it a "green" gift by using Recycled Cotton yarn. This yarn has a tweedy texture and is made from the trimmings that are discarded during the manufacturing of teeshirts.

Here's the pattern for a Basic Washcloth:

Needle size: US#6
Yarn: Recycled Cotton

Cast on 4 stitches.
First increase row: K 2, yo, knit to end of row.
Repeat this row until there are 44 stitches on needle.
First decrease row: K 1, k2 tog, yo, k2 tog, knit to end of row.
Knit until there are 4 stitches left on needle.
Bind off. Weave in ends.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

This is the classic, diagonally knit, garter stitch dishcloth. Most knitters can dash off one of these in an evening. Take this knitting along when you want a project where your hands are clicking but your brain is elsewhere.

Recycled Cotton Yarn -- 6 colors -- 185 yards/100 gram skein

Supersock Yarn Knits Up So-o-o Smoothly!

2011-03-28T11:55:00.002-04:00

Luscious color, yarn that flows and glows -- what more can a knitter ask? You will like the feel of knitting with Cherry Tree Hill's Supersock Select yarn. Here's a pair of socks that I just finished using the color "Martha's Vineyard."

About the knitting: I went back and forth from knitting one sock at a time with Clover Bamboo double points in 2.75 mm (US #2) to doing two socks at a time with an Addi Turbo 2.75mm 40" needle. Sometimes I find that when I'm traveling it is easier to knit with one ball of yarn. That's when I take one sock off of the magic loop needle and keep on knitting.

I began knitting this yarn on a US#1 needle. I cast on 68 stitches and knit almost 2 inches of 1 by 1 ribbing. Then I slipped the ribbing band onto a holding strand and tried it on my foot. The cuff was more stretchy than I expected. It slid over my heel and ankle easily and was too big for my calf. I like a tighter fitting sock, so I started again. This time I cast on 60 sts and used a US#2 needle, just like I usually do for socks.

About the pattern: I used the broken rib stitch leg pattern with a 1 by 1 ribbing. This is the pattern that is pictured on the right on the front of our NRS Socks pattern. The broken rib gives interesting texture to the fabric and is an easy variation to remember. The NRS Sock pattern has lots of photos, some stitch variations, and full directions (with photos!) for doing Kitchener stitch to weave the toes. It is written for double point needles, but if you have done the magic loop method you can adapt it easily for the NRS socks. As you know, this pattern is by Graywood Designs and we know that we publish good stuff!

Finishing: After the socks came off the needles, I soaked them for a half hour in two quarts of warm water with a half cap of lavendar Eucalan. I rinsed them lightly in another basin of warm water and rolled them in a terry cloth towel. I laid them out on a counter top and turned them every 2-3 hours. In about 12-14 hours, the socks were dry.

And a bit more: When I start a pair of socks with Cherry Tree Hill's Supersock again, I will try casting on even fewer stitches (probably 56) and use US#1 needles since there is a lot of give to the knitted fabric with the 100% wool. Hmm, I like the color "Spring Frost" -- maybe I'll give that color a try next! Maybe tonight!

Using Bamboo & Cotton Batting

2011-03-25T15:20:00.002-04:00

We used bamboo/cotton batting for the table runners and covers in our last quilting book, Tapestry of Texture, and were very pleased with the results. The quilted items are soft, the quilt layers held together with a magical clinginess and it was like stitching through butter to put the machine stitches in place. Bamboo in clothing or yarn or batting is actually rayon. Like cotton, it is a cellulosic fiber. This batt is a 50-50 blend of bamboo and cotton, both renewable resources.

We are carrying a larger batt on our website for you to try. Fairfield makes this batt in a 60" by 60" size, just right for slicing off some placemat samples and then enough left over for a runner or two. Here's an idea -- order one or two batts for your quilting group and offer a "bamboo trial" for your members.

Nature-FilTM Batting -- 60" x 60"

Testimonials: NRS Sock Pattern

2011-02-14T02:27:00.000-04:00

We continue to hear from knitters who really like our NRS Sock Pattern. Here are some of the testimonials that we've received:

"Purchased Not Rocket Science Pattern at Houston Quilt Show. Just finished 4th pair. Love knitting socks because of this pattern. Thanks so much!"

---A knitter from Texas

"I had never before used double pointed needles to knit with, but the pattern was written in such a way that my questions were answered in each step. I am a self-taught knitter and found that once I started this pattern it was very hard to put down. The socks are fun to knit and provide a very enjoyable pastime (just finishing my 4th pair). The pattern also provided me with the knowledge on how to adapt the socks to different sizes and different styles (crew versus calf length).

---A guy knitter from Michigan

Frosty Fridays in January

2011-01-06T17:00:00.000-04:00

We're doing Frosty Fridays at Graywood Designs this January. Fill a frosty bag with whatever will stay in the bag and you get a 25% discount on the contents of the bag!

Order from us at Graywood Designs via our website and take a good guess at what you can get into a frosty bag. You'll get the 25% off, too! That's a lot of yarn or fabric or books!

Here's our YouTube video to give you an idea for shopping on Frosty Fridays at Graywood!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6XAIi5X4qU&feature=youtu.be&a

A Kaleidoscope of Socks

2010-11-14T17:32:00.001-04:00

Sock knitter Gloria Swartzendruber shares this wonderful photo with the Graywood blog. Here is the kaleidoscope of socks that she has knit in the past year or so. Gloria recently gifted her sisters with pairs of socks and this is the collection that her lucky sibs got to choose from.

Well done, faithful knitter Gloria! We'd all love to have you as OUR sister!

Tapestry of Texture Featured on QPTV

2010-09-15T09:24:00.000-04:00

We're on TV -- QPTV! Debbie Welch, guru/owner of Quilting Possibilities in Forked River, NJ featured the Tapestry of Texture trunk show on her TV channel. Debbie is developing a YouTube feed for her shop and does a short video walk through of the samples in OUR NEW BOOK!

YES! I am so excited to see my work displayed in this East Coast shop. Thank you so much, Deb.

Here's the link:
http://quiltingpossibilitiestimes.blogspot.com/2010/09/dragging-myself-into-this-millenium.html

Hmm, I set up a YouTube channel for Graywood but I haven't used it. I really must get the FlipCam out and get going!

Cover Project From Our New Book

2010-08-16T11:20:00.000-04:00

The cover table runner is named "Off The Table" because we know that many quilters will use it as a wall quilt. This design uses 16 batik fat quarters and the Rail Fence block.

It is stunning photographed against the dark wood of my grandmother's recently restored dining table. Where will you display your "Off The Table" runner when you've finished this project?

GWB05 -- Tapestry of Texture -- $15.95 Retail

By the way, this runner is 25" wide and 45" long. Sometimes quilters are looking for a wider table runner that is almost a table cover. This design fits that need. Enjoy!

Three Projects From Our New Book

2010-08-04T13:59:00.000-04:00

Here are three of the projects from our fifth quilting book, Tapestry of Texture, which is available in quilt stores now and also from our website. I'll write more about the rest of the projects in another blog post.

This first project, the Rail Topper, is one of the easiest designs in the book. We show it as a picnic quilt. You could make it for an umbrella table. Just add a center hole and slit, like you would for a tree skirt. We call this version "Mango" and love the look of many colors with the main print.

This next project is "Carlie's Runner" and is named for the originator of the block which we used. Carlie Sexton designed the block called Scotch Plaid in the 1930's. This is a narrow runner without a border. The block has more pieces than the rail block above but it is easy to make. It has a wing unit that we make with Thangles and some clever rotary cutting. Notice the mix of fabrics that is possible with this block.

One more project to show you in today's post -- the Cut Glass Dish Runner -- which is made with a collection of cheddar fabrics. This is one of my favorite projects from the book. It will take time to make over 200 half square triangles for this runner but the results are stunning. Look over your fabric collection or head for the nearest quilt shop. You will need 18 different fabrics for the color collection in this design. We added a touch of hand quilting to this project using Valdani hand dyed pearl cotton. So cool.

Tapestry of Texture has three runner and three table cover designs in it. Photographs, diagrams and complete directions guide you through the selection of color, cutting, assembly and quilting.

I'll write more about the rest of the designs in another post. Ask for this book at your local quilt shop. Our trunk showing of all the samples as photographed in the book will be leaving our Studio and on display at Quilting Possibilities in Forked River, New Jersey for the rest of August.

Sheep Show 2010

2010-07-27T13:07:00.000-04:00

Here's Ashley Glaza (on the left, with one of her friends) from Bad Axe with her lambs that won the Grand Champion Pen trophy at yesterday's Huron Community Fair. Graywood Designs is the proud sponsor of this trophy which I get to present each year.

Great job, Ashley!

========================
Click HERE for a blog post from my other blog about the 2008 Sheep Show. this post has some cute photos of kids!

Blooming Nine Patch -- A Winning Quilt!

2010-07-20T13:07:00.001-04:00

Here is the Blooming Nine Patch Quilt that I made as a wedding gift for my son and daughter-in-law in 2004. This quilt won the Viewer's Choice award for two days at the Thumb Area Quilt Guild's show in July of 2004.

We are featuring this quilt design next week at our Winning Quilt #2 Event on Wed., July 28 at the Studio Store from 10 am to 4 pm. You will be able to purchase the pattern and the batiks to make this quilt. I have a clever way of putting the quilt together, too, and will discuss that method next Wednesday at the Winning Quilt Event.

My mother-in-law, Pauline Eichler, made the same quilt the following year. Her quilt, Pauline's Bouquet, uses floral prints and it also won an award, Best of Show, for one of the days at the Thumb Area Quilt Guild's Show the following summer.

I know that this design leads to winning quilts! Stop by and find out more about this great quilt.

This design is found in the book, Traditon with a Twist, which you can purchase on our website or at the Studio Store.

Book Update, Roses at Huron City

2010-07-14T14:34:00.000-04:00

Back and forth, back and forth -- that's what has been happening to the proofs for our new book this month. We've been refining color fills and sharpening text. We are SO close to printing that we can smell in the ink! Maybe we'll start shipping by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, I did get to a wonderful US Army Band Concert at Huron City last week. During the setup on the lawn we spied a wonderful line of roses in full bloom along a picket fence in front of the House of Seven Gables. I'm guessing that these plants are the old Seven Sisters rose which is named after the constellation called The Pleides which is seen very clearly on summer nights here in Michigan. You can see the riot of color and the intensity of the bloom in this old fashioned rose from the photos. Makes you think about pink and green quilts, doesn't it?

Luscious Batiks

2010-06-29T17:45:00.000-04:00

Mmmm. . .we are having a great time using these batiks in our Orion Star Kits here at the Studio Store. Here's a photo of twelve of these wonderful fabrics.

More Red and Green -- Beets

2010-06-22T14:15:00.000-04:00

Another study in red and green via the row of beets in the garden at Graywood Farm. Love the grassey green with the red violet stems and burgundy bulb. By the way, we usually plant the Detroit Dark Red variety of beets. We like them small, cooked in water, skins slipped, with a butter garlic sauce. We also like them full size in fall, cooked in water, skins slipped, with a butter garlic sauce.

Yes, we like beets. They have a wonderful earthy taste. We sprinkle big grains of sea salt on top, too, before we eat them. Mmmmm.

Stop By the Studio Store. . .

2010-06-07T18:05:00.004-04:00

and you will get to see the fabulous samples from our new book. Don't miss seeing our newest designs up close and personal. When the book comes from the printer (probably last week of June or first week of July) the samples will be out of here. We will be sending them on to shops that have ordered the book. First display will be at Quilting Possibilities in Forked River, New Jersey.

Here are a few glimpses of displays in the store this week. Danielle Damen is our shop and photo stylist and she does a crackerjack job of creating displays that rock!

We are in the last weeks of fine tuning the book. Photographs will be dropped into pages this week and the proofreading crew will be busy. The book, "Tapestry of Texture," is a celebration of table runners and table covers with lots of fabric. Stop by and see these gems soon!

Market Wrapup

2010-05-24T09:41:00.001-04:00

Monday morning and we're driving home from Minneapolis. Here are a few last looks at the Spring Market Booth. I'm tired but pleased to have seen so many quilt shop people! It was a good market.

One photo shows projects from our new book. Then you can see a hi-lo driver as he moved carpeting rolls in the aisles.

Onward and upward!

Saturday At Market

2010-05-22T13:03:00.000-04:00

Here's Ed in the GW booth at Minneapolis Market. We can hear thunder and it's raining hard outside this noon.

We've been visiting with colleagues in the quilting industry. The dominant word -- "we are looking forward to a good summer." It's good to hear how positive people are as we roll out of a recessive retail cycle.

Market Prep Day

2010-05-20T09:25:00.000-04:00

Good morning, dear readers. It was a long drive (570 miles) from Gaylord, Michigan to Roseville, Minnesota yesterday. I'm finally getting my second cup of coffee and my first awareness of the day.

Ed and I oohed and aahed at the many clumps of lilacs that we saw yesterday. We spotted a clump in the wild about five miles south of the Big Mac Bridge and kept seeing lilacs all the way into Minnesota. Our absolute favorite place for lilacs (besides our yard) is the Royal Botanic Garden in Hamilton, Ontario, pictured here. Yesterday's spots of purple, lavendar and white reminded us of the wonderful Canadian gardens which we visited last May.
Today's work will be fun. I'll be setting up a half booth (six feet by ten feet) with all of the new samples from Tapestry of Texture and some of the samples from our previous books. The half booth format is new to Graywood Designs. Business has been slow and I decided to do a half booth for Spring Market rather than skip the market.

Our photo shoot last Saturday went very well. We used the Graywood Studio Store in Pigeon for background and setting spaces. Photo stylist Danielle Damen raided the antiques collections of her family and provided stunning settings for Tapestry's table runners and table covers. Photographer Steve Jias was sprawled on the grass for garden shots. Steadicam operator and photo guru Will Eichler assured us vertical and horizontals of most shots before a set was broken down and we moved to another spot.

All of this photography and packing and travel has been a backdrop in my life. My dear mother-in-law moved to assisted living on Monday. While Ed and I cared for her transition along with his family, my staff has rallied round the tasks at hand that needed to be done to get Graywood Designs (me) to Market.

So, off to the Convention Center to Booth #3404. Stop by when you are at Market. Thangles has their booth right next to us, too.

If you are a Quilt Shop buyer and have not received our Market email, call Lori at our office -- 888-453-4554 and talk with her about our May Market offers. She can connect you to our email list so you can see Graywood's new products now.

Packing Day for Market

2010-05-18T08:22:00.000-04:00

Whew! It's finally packing day for Market. We travel by car and all of our booth setup supplies and the samples from the new book go with us. By Thursday I'll be hanging backdrops and figuring out the best way to display the table runners and tablecovers from our new book, Tapestry of Texture.

We'll be in Booth #3404. If you'll be at Market, do stop by and visit! I will post photos of the booth at Market sometime on Friday.

Book Delayed. . .Just a Bit!

2010-05-03T18:07:00.001-04:00

Things happen! Our photo shoot is now delayed until the middle of the month, so Tapestry of Texture will be released in June.

Here's a look at the Cheddar Runner version of the Cut Glass Dish Runner project. I used the classic Cut Glass Dish block in this runner. Accented with 18 different cheddar orange to deep golden fabrics, the runner is 15" wide and 45" long. I sized this runner to fit on a console table in our lake house. A quilt hangs behind the table against the back of a massive natural stone fireplace.

This is the 288 half square triangle project! It has a lot of sewing and quilting time in it and it is worth every minute. The Cheddar Runner developed into a classic, showy quilted table runner.

So, dear blog readers, what do you think? I'd like to sew another sample of this runner. What color should I feature next? Blue? Rose pink? Greens -- mossey and limey? Your input is desired. Let me know what you think, okay?

Update on the New Book

2010-04-26T20:37:00.000-04:00

It's an exciting week here at Graywood Designs. On Friday we'll be doing the photo shoot for our new book so that means that we are busy quilting and binding this week. I'm putting the last of many quilting lines into the Cut Glass Dish Runner. This 15 inch wide and 45 inch long runner uses 288 Thangles and 18 cheddar fabrics. It's a spectacular quilting project.

We've been practicing circle quilting on our long arm Gammill and will quilt a Jill Harmon pattern into the cover runner which is called Off The Table since we know that quilters will take it "off the table" and make it as a wall quilt.

These two projects are joined by four others:

Rounded Toppers

Carlie's Runner & Carlie's Square

Teatime in Uji Tablecover

The colors are stunning. The designs are fun to piece. Some are challenging; others are easy as can be. The new book comes out in May. Don't miss it!

Our New Book Will Be Published in May

2010-04-19T19:09:00.002-04:00

Our next quilting book, Tapestry of Texture, comes out in May right around Spring Quilt Market. It's a busy and confusing time for us right now. We're still sewing samples. . .but we're almost done. I'm doing page makeups. . .and I'm not almost done. The first advertisement has been placed in American Quilt Retailer. Our market booth is planned. Here you can see my cellphone with the cheddar Thangles for one of the projects in the book, Cut Glass Dish Runner. This project uses lots of half square triangles so I would often settle in at the pressing surface with my cellphone and scissors and Thangle away!

Next there is a shot of the design wall in the Studio Store which is where Danielle sews most of the samples she prepares. On the wall to the right is part of the table cover called "Teatime in Uji." The project on the left is called "Rounded Topper" and you probably won't see this version in the book. We often sew more than one sample and this one is not scheduled to be photographed as of now.

Our book has six projects -- three runners and three tablecovers -- all projects that we know quilters will want to make. Once again, we're using Thangles for half square triangles. Our projects range from easy to challenging. It's a good book and its coming soon!

FREE PATTERN: Little Lacey Scarf

2010-03-28T10:39:00.008-04:00

While visiting my sister Carla at holiday time she showed me a lovely bamboo yarn that she received as a Christmas gift. She asked for a design that would show off the yarn yet use one skein. I started thinking about some of the lace patterns that I have recorded in my knitting journals.

How about a narrow scarf, not only for warmth, but for show? Something you could wind around your neck while wearing a turtleneck in cool weather or a deep V neck on warm summer nights. Hmmmm . . . this lace scarf is the result.

Little Lacey Scarf

For a narrow scarf using sock weight yarn and US #6 needles:

Cast on 25 stitches using cable cast on.
Set up row: Knit one row – this is a backside row.

Row 1 (right side): K2, *p1, p2tog, yarn over, k1, yarn over, p2tog, p1, repeat from * 2 more times, end k2 -- 25 stitches.

Row 2: k2, purl across row, end k2.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: Same as Row 2.

Repeat these 4 rows to desired length.

About the yarn overs: Each yarn over (YO) is worked differently because of the p2tog. You will see that you bring the yarn to the front or back depending on which YO you are working. It might seem like you are doing a double YO. This can be puzzling so count stitches after finishing each right side row.

About the scarf shown: Lori Limberger knit the Little Lacey Scarf shown in the photo. She used Trekking Maxima , Color 912, which is available on our website. The scarf is 4" wide by 72" long. Lori's goal was a soft scarf that would go around the neck twice. She used most, but not all, of the 400 plus yards on this sock weight skein of yarn. Lori has been knitting with the Tuesday Night group at Graywood Studio this winter. Great job, Lori!

Try another weight of yarn: Since this is a scarf and a scarf is like a swatch, only longer, you can play with the size of yarn and needles that you use. Try using US#10 or 10 1/2 needles with a worsted weight yarn for a heavier and probably shorter scarf. In general, when knitting openwork lace, use needles that are 3-5 sizes larger than than what is recommended for the gauge of the yarn you are using. The larger needles will give a softer, looser, more open lace.

Using self striping yarn: When using self striping or handpainted yarns, go for those with a subtle look. The fair isle striping or bold painted yarns will overpower the subtleness of this little lace pattern.

Blocking lace: I always block lace when it is finished. For this scarf I got eager to see the results so I blocked it when I had about 12 inches knit. Here's how: Slip the stitches onto a holding strand and pin most of the completed knitting to an ironing surface. Insert pins about every inch all around the perimeter of the scarf. Next wet a dinner napkin size piece of muslin, place it on top of the pinned knitting and lightly (very lightly!) steam the knitting. Walk away and let the work dry at this point. When dry, release the pins and be delighted with the lacey look of your work. Slip the stitches back on the needles and keep on knitting. You will have the blocked lace to admire and your work will go faster.

288 Thangles and Counting!

2010-03-16T12:29:00.000-04:00

I'm carrying around a whole bunch of uncompleted Thangles and quilt blocks. One of the designs for our next book uses 24 Thangle units in each block. There are 12 blocks, so I'm sewing 288 Thangles for this table runner. Sounds like a lot of work and, in a way, it is.

But the sewing is really the easy part. What has been tough (and this is the part that I love) has been choosing fabrics for their color and pattern. That's where the interplay of line and design start to jell.

In our studio, Danielle and I work hard at getting the colors and fabrics just so. We know that there isn't necessarily a right and a wrong. What we look for is that satisfying, eye-popping use of color and fabric that just makes us want to leap to our sewing machines and get the project underway.

What color am I using? Believe it or not, I'm sewing with twelve different cheddars. That's the orangey-old color. I call it the color of Dial soap. The background is the same in every Thangle, a pale tan and I'm using one of my favorite sizes of Thangles, the 1.25 inch. The final block will be 8 inches unfinished.

Watch for this design in our new book. Meanwhile, 244 Thangles, here I come!

Tuesday Knitters Will Try Lace Knitting

2010-03-08T19:14:00.000-04:00

We're going to give lace knitting a try at our Tuesday Night Knitter's group. I've worked up a handout using a chart to knit the cat's paw pattern. Beginning knitters will find charts to be a fairly easy way of figuring out what stitch goes where. Lace really isn't hard once you get the idea of it. For every hole that you add (usually a yarn over) you have to take away a stitch (usually done by a decrease).

Our Sensibility Shawl is knit on US#10 needles using worsted weight yarn and a lace pattern. This is a good pattern for knitters who have some experience and want to try knitting lace.

Blog Update

2010-03-01T15:10:00.000-04:00

Just thought it was time to let readers of this blog know about the ups and downs of writing for the web. When you page back through blog posts you will find very sporadic entries for the last month. When that happens you know that the blogger is off doing something else!

In my case I've been up to several things. Here at the Studio in Pigeon we're dreaming up a new quilting book. That work is progressing to the point that several design walls now carry blocks in various stages of sewing. There are three ring binders that are filling with proposed pages for a book. Titles are being tried out; fonts and typefaces chosen; in short, we are working on our next book and its projects.

I have also been working at introducing Photoshop CS4 into my computing life. I've been using Adobe's excellent Elements program to do the web work for our new website, but always knew that I needed to move to Photoshop. That will be a learning process and the first learning process has been about the intricacies of installing this momentous program on my somewhat older laptop. I emptied the hard drive several weeks ago. Got rid of unused programs. Moved photos to an outboard drive. Defragged and debugged and de-dusted the little machine. Still, there were problems with the upgrade and install. Most of that should be behind me. Now I begin the learning curve.

Here in Michigan we have end of February deadlines with state sales tax forms. That work always leads to cleaning out the files and shaping up the paperwork from the previous year. For me, paperwork seems to take twice as long as I predict. If I set aside one day for work, it will take me two. Ah, but that can be my procrastination, I've discovered. Buckle down and do it, I've told myself. This year, paperwork is done and the satisfaction of tying up the loose ends is immense.

All of these tasks keep me busy and away from the blogging. Now though, I'm back and pledging to keep the blog lively with reports from knitters nights and quilting book publishing. Stayed tuned!

Block for New Book

2010-03-01T14:53:00.002-04:00

Here's one of the blocks that we might use for our Cheddar project in our next quilting book! I use my cellphone's camera to photograph and evaluate the color and layout of blocks as we develop designs. The fabrics down the diagonal center are the Daiwabo wovens that we use in our kits. Look here for more about these great Japanese fabrics.

Cool Knits from the Tuesday Night Knitters

2010-02-01T16:47:00.002-04:00

Oh so cool! Here are some of the projects that Tuesday Night Knitters have made for their family and friends.

Colleen Forman's First Scarf is modeled here by her daughter. So fashionista, Colleen! Congratulations on a wonderfully warm Christmas gift for your daughter. I know that Colleen has finished a second scarf and may be well on the way into another scarf by now. I believe that this scarf is knit of Brown Sheep Lanaloft Handpaint in the color "Autumn Run." Very nice!

Then we have Kathy Kent's perky peeky hat which she gifted to her little friend Willow. Willow obviously is pleased with her hat. Congratulations, Kathy, on a knitting job well done! Looks like Kathy used the same yarn as Colleen did -- the Handpaint from Brown Sheep. I think that this color is "Salt Water Taffy."

Here's a link to that yarn on our website:http://www.graywooddesigns.com/product.php?id=13

Notice from Willow's hat that this yarn knits up with a chunky look. It is listed as a worsted weight yarn but can be knit at a looser gauge for the "big yarn" look.

Another Little Boy's Hat

2010-02-01T15:43:00.000-04:00

I'm in the second week of a two week vacation and I'm knitting on several projects. Socks: almost finished with first sock of a pair that were started around Christmas time. Scarf: working on a hexagon project that hasn't "settled down" yet. I'm not liking the way that the hexagons join, so it is still an experiment. Child's Hat: Ah, this one is finished and you can see the photo with this post. Afghan squares: This one will be a charmer! I'm playing with Lamb's Pride worsted -- all those luscious colors -- and the Log Cabin Afghan pattern by Carol Anderson. This project will be in the Studio Store by mid-February so watch for it soon!

About the Little Boy's Hat in the photo: I used a DK weight yarn with US #4 circular needle. The pattern is an interrupted rib (k3,p1) that's set off by rounds of garter stitch ridges. Don't you love the funky earflaps! I added them so that the hat didn't have to pull down over the little boy's eyes. The earflaps are bordered with 3 garter stitches on each side and end I-cord knots that should be shoulder danglers. The tot who wears this hat can easily remove it by grabbing a knot and flinging the hat off. Good for car seat kids, don't you think?

By the way, the circular needle that I used (a Clover 16" bamboo) survived being chewed on by Mr. Griffin Henry Clark, my number two grandson. Over Christmas holidays, Finny walked into the kitchen with this needle in his mouth. "Oh no, Finny! Not my knitting needles! Don't bite," I exclaimed as I rescued the wet needle from the toddler mouth. The needle survived unscathed and Finny got a hug for his curiosity and understanding. That bamboo is really quite hard!

The recipient of this hat will be Action Jackson who turned one in late January. Action Jackson is my granddaughter Hannah's cousin. The yarn in this blue hat is the same as in Hannah's Sunshine Sweater and Hat set, only a different color. So the cousins will have hats from the same yarn, just of a different design. Such fun! Knitting for the little ones!

Tuesday Night Knitters, I will miss being with you this week. Danielle will send you an email so be watching for her knitterly words of wisdom. My emails to you will resume next week and sometime during this week I will update the blog with photos of the projects that you have been knitting. Thank you all again for agreeing to have your photos placed on the GW Blog! See you soon.

Keep knitting,

Wanda

Knitting By the Sea

2010-01-25T11:48:00.002-04:00

It's a weekend and I'm knitting by the Pacific. The weather is cool and sunny in San Diego after torrential rains hit the West Coast last week. While I'm getting some time away the Tuesday Night Knitters will be meeting at Joe's Pizza in Caseville. Sounds like fun! Enjoy the knitting and I will see you soon.
Wanda, from cool California

PS Here's the link to one of the Zelda Hat kits on our website!http://www.graywooddesigns.com/product.php?id=51

Tuesday Night Knitters -- January 12

2010-01-08T16:30:00.000-04:00

Several of you have wanted to learn how to pick up stitches and knit a fringe onto the ends of a scarf. I will demonstrate this technique on Tuesday. If you want knit along with me have this swatch ready to go:

Using worsted weight yarn and straight needles in US # 7 or 8 or 9, cast on 20 stitches. Knit for about 2 or 3 inches and stop. Bring this swatch with you. For fun you can bring another color of similar weight yarn and we'll put one color of fringe on one end and the second color on the second end.

The fringe technique is easy to do. It's a variation of the rosette on The Zelda Hat and uses cable cast on (our favorite!) and bind off.

See you on Tuesday. . .tomato bisque soup is on the menu. Mmmm!

Two Socks on One Needle Class

2010-01-08T15:45:00.000-04:00

Class: Two Socks on One Needle

Date & Time: Wednesday, January 13th -- 4 pm to 8 pm

Place: Graywood Designs Studio Store, 44 South Main Street, Pigeon, MI

Class fee: $15, includes supper

Call 989-453-2311 to register -- Limited to 6 students

What you will learn:

How to wind two balls from one skein of self patterning yarn

How to cast on both socks

How to manage the long needle

In addition -- Chain stitch heel edge (Wanda's favorite method -- a bit different)

Square heel -- also a favorite of mine

Two easy patterns for the leg of the socks

You will need to have a 40" circular needle and sock yarn. Also bring double pointed

needles in the size of your circular needle. Bring the book, 2-at-a-Time-Socks, if you have it.

15% discount on class supplies and on purchases made on day of class

Tuesday Night Knitters on January 6

2009-12-31T10:50:00.000-04:00

Ah, the push of wrapping presents and preparing meals and entertaining is lessening. Now there is a little time here and there for a “knit-sit.” I hope that you are able to fix a cup of coffee or tea and get some time, even fifteen minutes, to knit.

UPDATES from the Studio Store: The holidays took over and I haven’t done any more tweaking on the website. That will be January work, so do be patient. There are more yarns and needles coming from Skacel in Seattle. Danielle and I will be busy beavers in early January as we update the website and add these items to the Studio Store. Remember, for those of you in the Thumb Area, that we resume regular hours on Wednesday, Jan. 7th.

Tuesday Night Knitters: We will meet at the Studio Store on Tuesday, Jan. 6th from 5pm to 7pm. There will be something hot to eat and something sweet for a finish. Anybody want to bring fruit or veggies? Let me know. Bring your projects. Also, we will be doing burn tests on different kinds of yarn to determine the fiber content. This is a really cool science type experiment that will give you some basic idea of how to identify the odd yarns that you might have in your collection. Bring along a snippet (4-6 inches) of something that you can’t identify and we’ll do the burn test with it.

Photos: Did you take any photos of projects that you finished? Kathy Kent sent me a great photo of a kid’s hat that she did. Let’s talk about permission for posting those photos on the GW blog. I have several ways that I can do that. We can do it for a limited time, too. We’ll talk about that, okay?

What I’m knitting: I’m working on another scarf design. This one uses fine yarn with larger needles and has an open work stitch pattern. I’m using Trekkiing Tweed in a rich red and brown and am knitting on US Size 5 bamboo needles. I’m also finishing the Top Knot Hat (working title) in a larger gauge. This one is knit on US Size 6 needles using the Addi Turbo 16” circular and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece yarn in a soft pink. Very nice! Also have one sock on two circular needles going. That’s right – one sock on two 16” circulars. Just wanted to try this method.

Two Socks on One Needle Roundup: For those of you who want to learn how to knit two socks on one long circular needle, the date for this technique class will be Wednesday, January 13th from 4 pm to 8 pm. Give us a call at 989-453-2311 to sign up for this class. Class fee is $15 and includes supper.

Happy New Year!

Our New Website is UP and RUNNING!

2009-12-11T18:31:00.000-04:00

We're live! The new Graywood Designs website went up on the web late this afternoon and, wow, is it a grand feeling to see the work that's been going on for months finally come to the web. We'll be tweaking the site to get the glitches out. Your comments here or your emails to me will be graciously appreciated.

I have to finish color charts for yarns yet. We have about ten colors and kinds of sock yarn in the Studio Store that are not on the site yet. Some knitting needles need to be added. And fabric. . .we have lots of fabrics from our collection that will be added, too.

We think that the navigation is much improved on this new site. (Navigation is what you do as you click here and there. Good navigation should be almost instinctual so let us know what you think about that, too!)

Publishing a website is a lot like publishing a book. I've been pretty tied to my laptop and my desktop comupter both these last few weeks. So, it's so good to be ready for you to take a look and enjoy the Studio Store Collection that's on the website.

FREE PATTERN: Twin Rib Scarf

2009-12-07T10:10:00.004-04:00

What's on your needles in December? I'm currently knitting hats and socks and am about ready to cast on another scarf.

The humble scarf gets a lot of bad press. Even though a scarf is often the first project that we accomplish as a knitter, we often get the feeling that we should "grow up" and get beyond scarves. Well, you could knit a long time and never run out of great scarf ideas and patterns to knit. I always have a few scarf projects going -- some with more difficult stitch patterns, often in lace or cables, and one that is an easy-to-remember-no-brainer for the times when I want to knit but don't want to concentrate.

So, in honor of the scarf (and with the hope that you'll want to cast on yet another project!) here's the quick version of one of my favorite scarves:

Twin Rib Scarf

Use a needle size that is suggested for the gauge of the yarn you choose.

Cast on 29 stitches.

Knit 2 garter ridges.

Row 1: K1, *k3, p3,* ending k3, k1 -- 29 sts.
Row 2: *K1, p1,* ending k1 -- 29 sts.

Knit to desired length. End by knitting 2 garter ridges.

NOTE: Text in red added 3/8/2010. Thank you to anonymous knitter who did the math and pointed out a most helpful text edit.

That's it! Simple knitting without complex pattern. I've knit this scarf for my Dad who likes a wool scarf as a neck warmer. For Dad's scarves, I one skein of Lamb's Pride worsted (190 yards) on US #9 needles and knit until the yarn is used up. This results in a scarf about 36 inches long and 5 inches wide. Dad's scarf is knit in charcoal gray with black stripes at each end. Handsome, isn't it!

For my sister Heidi, I used a lighter weight yarn -- a silk/wool blend -- and knit two skeins (220 yards) on US #6 needles. Her scarf is longer than Dad's and matches her Zelda Hat. Heidi likes her scarf and hat set which I knit in green, one of my favorite colors to use when I'm not sure what color to use. I let the recipient know that if the hat doesn't fit quite right, since it is green, you can wear it when you are doing "green" activities like taking out the recycling or gardening!

Snow People; A New Runner

2009-11-30T17:06:00.000-04:00

What fun! Snow people for our December window displays! Here's the first one with her bead and sequin features, stick arms and hand knit sparkling hat.

Remember how easy it is to do a table runner? Here's a variation of the Change Mat for babies that's in our latest book, Maxmats. My mother-in-law Pauline Eichler sewed these blocks for her daughter, Sue. I finished the quilting and binding last week. Sue's latest email shows the completed runner on top of her antique library table.

Since Sue is a frog fan, the print in the green binding has frogs on it. By the time I cut up the binding and sewed it in place, even the frogs felt right at home in this easy to make table runner.

Luscious Handpaint Yarn

2009-11-17T08:23:00.000-04:00

Here's Brown Sheep's Lanaloft Handpaint yarn. This is a softly spun yarn that is single ply and is 100% wool. We like knitting this yarn for winter hats and find that one skein does a hat for an adult or child easily. Our new website (still to come!) will feature this yarn along with other from the Brown Sheep Co. Brown Sheep is located in Mitchell, NB and is one of the premier producers of knitting yarns here in the U. S.

This is Color LL777 -- Autumn Run in Lanaloft Handpaint Worsted weight 100% wool.
Yardage: 160 yards per 100 gram skein
Price: $12
Suggested needle size: US # 10 1/2. (We prefer using #8 or 9 for this yarn.)

A Hat for Andrew Jack

2009-10-31T09:38:00.000-04:00

So, I had a half skein let over from the Elodie Hat. It begged to be another kid's hat. Here's AJ (Andrew Jack) modeling this quick to knit topper for a little boy or girl. And, yes, I know these are girl colors. Boy shades to come.

Elodie's Hat

2009-10-26T18:26:00.004-04:00

Here's the latest little hat for my grand-niece who turns one year old this week. It's knit with two yarns. One is a self striping sock yarn and the other is merino wool. I used the garter ridge stitch and added a rosette knit from the sock yarn. The rosette will have buttons sewn to the center and the buttons will come from Elodie's Great Grandma Pauline's button jars.

The cooperative model is Mr. Andrew Jack, the first and only teddy bear that I've ever had. Thanks, Andrew, for your furry help!

Bestsellers at Festival

2009-10-18T08:29:00.004-04:00

Well, we have one more day on the big, big Quilt Festival floor. Today is Sunday and it is traditionally a day for lots and lots of lookers at Festival.

I did do the numbers for the first three days yesterday afternoon during a lull in the action and it looks like our preliminary bestsellers are:

The Zelda Hat -- an elegant hat for girls & women and our newest knitting design

Knitcushion Kits -- a periennial Quilt Festival favorite

Potholder Play -- our kitchen design book

Here's the link to purchase these items, although The Zelda Hat is so new that it is not up on the website yet. http://www.graywooddesigns.com/

I was thrilled to find Ruth Mundy's crazy quilted piece, On The Edge of Gold, right at the entrance to the exhibit on crazy quilting sponsored by the Alliance for American Quilts. You can see this quilt in my previous blog post which I posted from my cellphone.

Today I will take more photos of Ruth's quilt for her so she can get an idea of the scope of Quilt Festival. Ruth is from Elkton, Michigan which is also hometown to Graywood's Danielle Damen.

We Are SO Proud of Ruth Mundy!

2009-10-17T13:36:00.000-04:00

Here is Ruth's crazy quilt, On the Edge of Gold, which received honorable mention in the Alliance for American Quilts exhibit here at Festival in Houston. Ruth got her start at a crazy quilt class at The Merc many moons ago. Well done, Ruth!

More Photos from Quilt Festival

2009-10-16T23:41:00.003-04:00

Cathy Winter, our Houston friend, has been working in the Graywood Designs booth with us. She is an accomplished quilt artist and photographer. Here is a link to her blog with more photos from Quilt Festival:

http://cmwinter.blogspot.com/.

Scroll back a post or two and you will learn more about this Festival, the largest quilt gathering in the world!

We Gotta Keep Our Booth Clean!

2009-10-16T23:20:00.001-04:00

Here's Wanda, sweeping the carpeting before today's very busy day at Festival. We sold out of our newest knitting design, The Zelda Hat, but will have more of that design tomorrow.

If you are in Houston, come see us in Booth #1452. There are two more days of fantastic quilt and fabric shopping!

Yeah! We got the Booth Done . . .

2009-10-14T18:11:00.000-04:00

. .and the 2009 International Quilt Market has begun!

Stop by and Visit us in Booth #1452.

Quilt Festival Opens Tonight

2009-10-14T08:05:00.002-04:00

Come see us In Houston! Wednesday hours are 5 pm to 10 pm. Doors open for the general public at 7.

We are in the middle of the hall, back near Make It University -- Booth #1452.

At Quilt Market in Houston

2009-10-12T07:30:00.000-04:00

The Fall International Quilt Market enters its last day today and we are pleased to see so many of our wholesale customers here. Our newest pattern, A Little Night Music -- An Elegant Miniature Runner, is the pick of the booth. Modeled after our full size runners, this little specialty is coming to a quilt shop near you!

We'll be here through Sunday in Booth 1452 so you can come and shop. Be sure to stop by the booth and say hello. Danielle will join me in Houston on Wednesday for the show. We are the people behind the patterns and books published by Graywood Designs so come and meet us.

Houston's weather should be settled back into the 70's by midweek. Today looks like a sultry southern day, much different from Michigan's march toward the cool part of fall!

Knitting Too Tightly

2009-09-19T09:17:00.003-04:00

For all of you knitters out there, here is a discussion of knitting too tightly that also includes a great description of how a knitting stitch is formed. Whether you are a beginner or are more experienced, you might find some helpful advice in this article from Knitty.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATloosenup.html

We have three beginning knitters coming in on Tuesday, September 29th. If you'd like to join the learning party, give us a call at 989-453-2311 or email us at merc@avci.net.

You are welcome to stop by on Tuesday night (again, September 29th from 5 - 7 pm just to shop, too. We'd love to see you.

Beginning Knitting (Continued)

Tuesday, September 29th -- 5-7pm

Munchies and beverage provided -- $15 for 2 sessions

Stop in and shop on Tuesday night!

Fall Hours

2009-09-18T17:06:00.004-04:00

Open Wednesday -- Thursday -- Friday

10 am to 3 pm

Usually we're closed a bit around one for lunch.

Call ahead (989-453-2311) if you are coming at a certain time.

We are also open by appointment on Mondays and Tuesdays.

We're not doing Saturdays for now. Sorry.

A Little Night Music -- Our Newest Pattern!

2009-09-18T16:52:00.007-04:00

Yippee! Our newest pattern is on the way to the printer and will be back in Pigeon soon! The hardest part is over for us. That would be all of the layout, editing, graphic construction, correcting and proofing that we go through in order to bring you our designs. Our goal is clear, concise directions and graphics that guide you through every step of the quilting process.

I'll post a photo of the pattern which is called "A Little Night Music." This is an elegant miniature runner. Here's a project that calls for your best fabric collection. Use those elegant, expensive fat quarters that you've been holding for something special to make your first "Night Music" miniature.

We expect to have this pattern available by Quilt Festival time -- October 14-18. There is a lovely kit to go with the design and several of you have kits on hold. We will print up early patterns for you during the week of Septmber 28th.

Closed on Labor Day

2009-09-03T15:29:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder that we will be closed on Labor Day and also on the Saturday before Labor Day. Our Fall Hours go into effect after the holiday, too. We'll be open Wednesday thru Friday, 10 am to 3 pm.

Our Tuesday Knitters will meet two Tuesdays in September -- the 15h and the 29th. Call the Studio at 989-453-2311 for more information!

New in the shop this week:
Knitting bags by Lantern Moon
Knitting books about totes, handspun, socks and MORE!

Our Newest Hat Design

2009-08-27T15:31:00.003-04:00

Our newest hat for knitters is just about ready to hit the shelves in our shop. We're finalizing the pattern name and doing some graphic tweaking this week. Here's a photo of some of the samples that we've knit for this design.

This is a "not your average stocking cap look" hat. As a matter of fact, it has a Gatsbyesque, almost flirtaceous look to it. The design is easy to knit, usually with one skein of yarn, and can be whipped up fairly quickly.

We'll post the final price and link to our website so you can purchase this online. As always, do stop by the Graywood Designs Studio Store to see these samples and lots more for both knitters and quilters!

Only in a Small Town

2009-08-10T22:55:00.005-04:00

Ah, yes, the joy of living in a small town. Here's Samantha Stafford who works at the cafe across the street from the shop. She was named the Bay Port Fish Sandwich queen at the Fish Sandwich Festival in early August. Samantha stopped by Main Street Cafe to greet her breakfast customers before the big parade and you can see from the smiles how proud these folks are of this lovely young lady!

Studio Store will be OPEN through Nov. 21

2009-07-31T16:47:00.003-04:00

Our new Studio Store on Main Street in Pigeon will be open until November 21 which is the first Saturday of hunting season in Michigan. That gives our Michigan customers who live nearby or who come to the Thumb the rest of the summer and all fall to stop by. We're planning to reopen in the spring. Fall shop hours (after Labor Day) will be 10 am to 3 pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Summertime hours (before Labor Day) are 10 am to 3 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Hope to see you soon!

Daiwabo Fabrics are HERE!

2009-07-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Daiwabo Japanese fabrics that we ordered at Spring Quilt Market are here and they are flying out of the shop. We're cutting this fabric into kits for our miniature runner. Many of you have seen this sample and want to make one for your home. Daiwabo is subtle fabric -- some woven, some prints -- in shades of browns and taupes. Think of throwing soft, soft teal and apricot and lavendar into the soft play of brown and taupe and you'll have an idea of what these fabrics look like.

Stop by soon to see the bolts and pick out your Daiwabo!

Graywood Studio Store is OPEN

2009-07-27T09:15:00.001-04:00

We've opened a small shop on Main Street in Pigeon this summer. The Graywood Designs Studio Store features our books and patterns. We also carry batik and solid fabrics as well as some quilting notions that we use in our design studio like DMC thread for piecing.

We've refreshed the old Crackerbarrel Quilt from The Mercantile of days gone by. Now the Crackerbarrel Quilt is a graphic version of the Fence Rail pattern done in batiks. Our Crackerbarrel kits are so easy to sew. You get the pattern free with the kit. Kits are priced at $34.95 and $44.95. Come in a see this large sofa sized quilt.

Because we also design for knitting, we're carrying Brown Sheep yarns and Clover bamboo knitting needles. We have knitted samples of our Sensibility Shawl and Knitcushion designs in the shop. There is a shelf of sock yarns, lots of colors of Lamb's Pride Worsted and our new favorite, Lanaloft Handpaints. Other yarns we carry from Brown Sheep include Cotton Fleece and Shepherd's Shades.

Hours are 10 am to 3 pm Tuesday thru Saturday until Labor Day. Stop by when you are visiting the Thumb area!

A Quilt For Summer

2008-06-29T14:50:00.016-04:00

It's finally summer and I brought out the Great Lakes Summer Quilt for display at our lake shore home in Michigan. I designed this quilt during the summer of 2001 and it became the signature quilt for the last Quilt Camp that we did at the Old Winsor Gallery (now Harjo's Ben Franklin) in downtown Pigeon. The Quilt Campers enjoyed customizing the central lighthouse block and learning how easy it is to do fusible applique with zigzag stitched finishes.

Now, when I get this quilt out for the summer I have a funky rule at the lake house -- I don't use blue in the public rooms of this house. No blue glassware, no blue linens, no blue quilts. BUT, this quilt is the grand exception. It has clear blues that contrast with reds and golds. With a lighthouse in the center, geraniums, a sunflower, stars, and flags this quilt feels so "summer-coastal-patriotic" to me.

My favorite block is the geranium. It uses fused applique with petals and leaves and pot and stems. The pencil sketch for this block was done in the summer of 2000. Surrounded by flowers and porch pots, I sketched this calm, summer block.

And where did the Canadian flag come from? We camped on the shore of Lake Superior at Lake Superior Provincial Park north of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario for two summers. Canada's flag reminds me of the those wonderful June days at Agawa Bay in the Grand North.

Happy Summer (at last)!

Wanda

The 97 Blazer

2008-06-06T23:39:00.010-04:00

Graywood Designs has its own car! Well, I guess that you'd call my 1997 Blazer a SUV. Technically it is an S10 pickup body made by Chevy for quite a few years. The 1997 Blazer (we just call it "The Blazer") has been to Houston for Quilt Markets and Festivals almost every year since its first trip in 1997. It has been to other Quilt Markets, too, and this is also the vehicle that has been Canada camping and done lots of Michigan to Wisconsin trips.

As of today the Blazer has over 240,000 miles on its odometer. So, you see, it has been to the moon (figure earth to moon distance at 125,000 miles) and is on its way back. Wow! That's quite a feat!

You can see how proud I am of this car by my picture of the Blazer-Trailer rig that we run to Houston. The Blazer was retired from long trips in February of 2007. I replaced it with the BNB -- Big New Buick -- that can also pull the trailer. The BNB's license plate is "GW04." Those of you who order our patterns regularly know that GW04 is the item number for Graywood's "Double Four Patch Runner" design. We're on our way to selling 25,000 of this pattern. Hence, the license plate -- a vanity plate that commemorates a bestselling quilting pattern!

Happy Quilting,

Wanda

Schoolhouse Session at Quilt Market

2008-05-21T22:03:00.005-04:00

I presented two sessions called "Elevate the Lowly Potholder" at Spring Quilt Market's Schoolhouse event. Here I am outside the classroom with the listing of all the sessions that took place in just this one room. There are a myriad of such sessions, all designed to be helpful to shop owners and buyers who are looking for the next best thing for their shop.

Our presentation, which was well received, highlighted our new book, Potholder Play.

This photo was taken by my husband, Ed, who accompanied me to Market. He was the "handout" man for the Schoolhouse Session. He's the strong back that helped me with booth setup and takedown. He keeps me company when I'm far from home and he encourages my work. What a guy!

Hey, one more thing about this photo. I broke my glasses on the last day of Market. Pulled them out of their case and snapped them right in half across the nosepiece! I've worn glasses since I was five and don't remember ever breaking a pair quite like that. I really liked this frame, too. Oh well, life changes and I'll have to get a new frame. Fortunately I had a spare pair with me.

Introducing our third book, Potholder Play

2008-05-20T14:10:00.005-04:00

We're shipping the first orders of Potholder Play, our third quilting book, this week. I just got back from Portland, Oregon where we exhibited at the International Quilt Market Spring Show. Many shops from all over the country ordered the book.

"Why do potholders?" asked some of the shop owners. We have a myriad of answers.

Potholders are great small projects where you can try out color combinations and practice thread play.

Potholders make great gifts for friends. We have a design called "Call Me, Okay?" that's a telephone block. We suggest that you sign the finished potholder with your name and phone number to give as a going away gift for a friend.

Potholders are quick to make. Our book gives directions for flip lining or for binding potholders. Even new quilters can make one easily using our concise, clear directions.

Potholders are easy to mail. Need a quick birthday gift? Stitch up one of our designs and call it a birthday card for a friend or relative. What a good way to say "happy b-day!"

The book has more than potholder designs in it. Our "Market Bag" fits the standard paper grocery sack and can be the bag that you use to haul groceries into your house or apartment. Our Market Bag has four blocks on each side and is a "quilterly" way to save on paper as you doing your shopping.

Potholders can function as mug mats, too. Our "Coffee Time" design goes well with a big mug of coffee and a cookie. Or try our "Big Mac Bridge Ice Floes" design for really cool coasters to put beneath those dripping iced tea glasses this summer.

There's more. Potholder Play really hits the mark for designs that are practical, yet beautiful and fun to make.

We've placed the book in over 20 shops, with two catalog companies and two distributors. We know you'll be seeing Potholder Play in quilt shops this year.

Why do we quilt or knit? Why do we create?

2008-04-25T16:01:00.006-04:00

We just sent out another email newsletter from our website. I try to do this email every Friday and feature some of the products that we have on our website.

In addition, I like to do a conversational type letter for my customers, sort of a "chatty Cathy" communication. Sometimes it is about the weather; sometimes about family; often about the benefit of quilting and knitting. Anyone can sign up for the newsletter by accessing the signup page on our website, http://www.quiltinpigeon.com/.

But what I'd like to write a bit about today is why we quilt and knit. Most of us, men or women, really don't need to sew or knit. But lots of us came out of a heritage of making things and of making do. I think about the carpet rags that my mother and grandmother sewed. Clothing was torn into strips, folded just a certain way, ends were sewn together, and the long strip was wound into a ball. Those balls went to a weaver who made rag rugs for us.

After my husband and I married, when we would come home for a visit, my mother-in-law (or was it his grandma who would do this?) would ask if we needed a rug. She'd get out the huge roll of rag rugs, cut one or two off, and show us how to knot the ends. We'd have a wonderfully serviceable new rug to take back to our college apartment. Well, those days of needing to do rag balls are gone (although I can think right now of at least two people who still weave rugs right here in our part of Michigan!).

So, if we don't need to make things for utility and usefulness, why do we create? Let me take a stab at answering that question.

Some of what draws me to fabrics and yarns is the color. I love the depth of color in wool. I love the play of color of one fabric against another and another. I love scrappy quilts that have oodles of fabrics and yet a sense of wonderful color play.

I'm drawn by the technical skill that I have developed in both quilting and knitting. As a knitter, I'm constantly trying to hone finishing skills. I want my sweaters to be professional looking, yet hand done. As a quilter, I derive great pleaure from blocks that fit together with little fudging. I'm always pleased by miters that work, by binding that is even and runs true.

I'm drawn to both quilts and knits by the design possibilities. How can there be so many ways of putting simple geometric shapes together? Quilting captures that essence of multiplicity. How can two needles and one strand of yarn be the basis for so many stitches and surface textures and ways to increase, decrease, cable, and more?

Most of all, when I'm quilting or knitting for myself, I get lost in my work. I knit with abandon, sometimes forgetting to stand up and stretch every half hour. Especially in the morning with a cup of coffee, NPR on the radio, my Ott light over my shoulder, and the sun not up yet, I'm lost in the knitting.

With quilting, everytime I can pull up to my sewing machine and just piece is like a little vacation for me. Maybe I don't even finish a task. Still, the routine of the sewing, pressing, cutting is like a mantra that soothes and pleases.

How about you? Do you think much about why these two artforms give you satisfaction? I can come up with more reasons and so can you. How blessed we are as humans to be able to create!

Third Quilting Book Sent to Printer

2008-04-24T19:11:00.004-04:00

Whew! Graywood's third quilting book, Potholder Play, was sent out to the printer yesterday. We made our deadline! Now we'll see the first proofs early next week. Our preparation for the proofing stage has been careful and this is our third book. Hopefully, we'll have a minimum of changes and can move to the blueline stage right away.

Our books are marketed at Quilts, Inc.'s International Quilt Markets which are held twice a year. At the three day Market we meet with customers, take orders, display our products, network with other supplier to the quilting industry, and get a sense of where the industry is going. Many shops throughout the U.S. and Canada carry our books and patterns. In addition, our products can be purchased through our website, http://www.quiltinpigeon.com

So, what happens next is this. We see actual color printouts of all the pages and covers. We make corrections and additions; we try to catch any color correcting of photos that we know will be needed. Our changes are overnighted to the printer; they send another proof. The process goes on until everything is right. Then we see a final blueline proof and approve the printing.

If all goes well (and it should) our third quilting book will be here in mid-May. That will be quite an accomplishment -- three books since May of 2006. Can you tell I'm proud of the work?!

Diagrams Vs. Photos

2007-03-08T07:30:00.005-04:00

In the over 40 quilting patterns that we've published since 1997 we've made extensive use of diagrams. Now, with the advent of digital photography, we've started to use photos, too.

Sometimes the simplicity of a diagram gives clarity to a quilting or knitting direction. With photographs, the setting can get in the way of the process that is being illustrated. Diagrams are usually black and white line art. I have been known to spend several hours on one diagram, just trying to get the sense of the drawing correct for the quilter who will follow the diagram. I like the sparseness of a drawing; it can focus on a particular step in a set of instructions in a way that a photo cannot.

Photographs, on the other hand, are wonderful for showing an overall sense of a quilt or table runner or knit hat or our little Knitcushion project. You can see the shape and color; one gets a broader idea of the ambiance of the work that is being created. Detail can be captured with a photo, too. Don't we all love seeing quilting stitches up close and personal. Photos can give us this sense of immediacy and reality that can't be obtained in a drawing or diagram.

The challenge in writing instructions for both quilting and knitting is knowing when to use either of these methods.

First Musings on a Cold Night in Michigan

2007-03-05T22:50:00.002-04:00

Such a cold night it is here in Michigan! Temps will hover around zero, says the TV weatherman who calls himself "Chief Meteorologist."

These posts from our studio and office here in Michigan's Thumb will chronicle the work that we do designing quilting & knitting projects for our publications company -- Graywood Designs. Right now we are working on a new quilting book that features holiday patterns for the Christmas season.

We're calling this new book "Glad Yule." Our master piecer has been busy since January getting several projects for the book ready for the quilting expertise of our favorite long arm quilter. (Only one or two of the book projects will be long armed -- the rest we do on standard domestic sewing machines, just like most quilters do!) The piecework is completed for "Ode To THANGLES" and both versions of the tree runner. The cover quilt, "O Yule" is part way completed; one more quilt, "Dairy Stars," lies within piles of yellow and gold fabrics at the studio. Yes, this book will once again feature THANGLES for the half square triangles. You'll read more about that as our blog continues.

Work on the book has been slowed considerably due to my mother's death in January. By this time I had hoped to be in the final stages of page preparation. Instead, studio work is progressing slowly, but surely, on samples. I'm learning that work can't be hurried when there is grieving to do. The pace on this book, though different from our first book (Fours & Nines: Quilted Placemats with Classic Blocks) is progressing and that is what counts on a cold winter night in Michigan!

Written by Wanda
March 5, 2007

COMING POSTS

About Quilting:
How THANGLES and Graywood are related
To Applique By Machine or By Hand?

About Knitting:
The Continuing Saga of the Bib Pattern That Doesn't Get Finished

About Publishing:
Why Writing Good Directions for Quilting and Knitting is So Important
We Know a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, So Why Be Wordy!
Color vs. Black & White