Element: A basic knitted wrap

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

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



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



"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

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!

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

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

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 

1. Cast on 4 stitches. 
2. First increase row: K 2, yo, knit to end of row. 
3. Repeat this row until there are 44 stitches on needle. 
4. First decrease row: K 1, k2 tog, yo, k2 tog, knit to end of row. 
5. Knit until there are 4 stitches left on needle. 
6. 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!

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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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!

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

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

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.