Getting back in the groove.....

It's been just too hot lately to do much. That and I've have not had much enthusiasm for anything. I have started to feel more like it this last week.

Many years ago I did an adult community education class with Jill Lind. Jill once worked for Patons and knows everything about knitting and crocheting. She introduced me to broomstick and Tunisian crochet. I have wanted to make jumpers (Queensland speak for cardigans) for myself for ages. Mum has knitted beautiful jumpers for me over the years, but her arthritis stops her these days. Due to an odd arm, my knitting is painfully slow. Beanies, booties and tea cosies are my limit.

I love crochet, but until recently I only did d'oyles and handkerchief and towel edges.
I have been gathering books on Tunisian crochet. This method will give me a garment with the look of knitting but the ease of crocheting. So the purple thing in the photo below is the start of a shawl or mobius wrap. I shouted myself a set of Denise crochet hooks. The set has different tails and hooks that can be mixed and matched via a locking system on the ends. It is a fairly simple pattern and I can do it in front of the TV at night, when my eyes are not so good for stitching and my hands are not so sticky that the wool won't flow smoothly.

In the tin is the Chocolate block for my SAL SKoW quilt. I am far behind, but I will get there.
Below, pinned and ready for quilting, is the quilt top I made up to replace the 'too blue' one I mentioned in the last post. I am very happy with the way it turned out.

I am going to trial the basting method that uses slats of timber with the top and backing rolled onto them. My knees and back do not like me pinning the quilts on the tiled floor anymore.
Well I'm not going downstairs to quilt it now -too hot - over 30 degrees C still. I'll try in the early morning.

Take care everyone,
Kayly