Friday, May 29, 2015

it's all about the scraps!

Welcome to finish it up Friday!
Late last night I finished knitting another rag rug. (Tutorial here.)
So many scraps were used in this project, specifically selvages (I love those little numbers peeking out of the middle!) and strings that are too narrow to hold a seam allowance. I used strips between 1/2" to 7/8" wide. Lots of them!
This rug is quite bulky, because I knit 3 strands together on size 35 needles! I may have been overzealous in my scrap usage, but my bowl of scraps is nearly empty now. So, it's all good!! The rug measures 27" x 22". Now, to decide if I will use it in my bathroom or my kitchen....
Yesterday afternoon I skyped with a friend for a little hand applique lesson. I made my first squircle block from Carolyn Friedlander's book Savor Each Stitch. I absolutely loved the process AND the finished result. While I want to start a new project, and while a whole quilt of these squircles (on a patchwork background) would be lovely.....
I decided that I needed to make it into a pin cushion. You know, because I was running low on those. Ha!!!!
Ok, so we all know that isn't true! (By the way, isn't that the happiest photo?!?!?!)

If you have questions about pin cushion construction, please see this post. It's the same technique I use for nearly all my cushions, I just change up the patchwork each time. I believe that this goes without saying, but you can make them any size you want. And definitely, the more the better! :)

How about you? Do you have a finish to share today? If so, please link up! Thanks, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday!

31 comments:

Bernie Kringel said...

Yes! That is absolutely the happiest photo. Does this sort of rag rug last long if it is in actual use? Like in a kitchen or bathroom? Have you ever tried to wash one? It is adorable.

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Oh that's absolutely beautiful! I love the way it's so colourful but not overwhelming- I hope you find the perfect spot for it!

Sandra Walker said...

Yes! I 1000% agree that that is a lovely pic! I love your knitted scraps rug! Gotta do this. :-)

Mari said...

I love your squircle! Very graphic! The rug is cute too. Making it with three strands just makes it cushier and more durable. Have a great weekend!

zakfoster said...

I love this rug. I've been saving long skinny scraps for years... time to get to ruggin'!

Live a Colorful Life said...

All the pictures are fun and cheery. :)

Aimee said...

Amanda, do you still knit with two strips and crochet with one strip? Which do you prefer the knit or crochet?

Leanne said...

I am intrigued by the rug. Do you put a non-slip mat under it and I wonder how it washes up. I love to knit and I have a lot of scraps.

Teresa S. said...

I love the rug! I usually throw away strips less than 1 ½ inches. I'm going to start saving them and knit a rug. That would be a great thing to do while watching t.v. with my husband! I've got some size 35 knitting needles around here somewhere……

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

great use of scraps!

Little Black Cat Quilting said...

Another cute pin cushion, I love it!! And the rag rug is adorable, I need to remember that and see if I can crochet one when I get enough skinny scraps!

CapitolaQuilter said...

The happiest of photos! love, love

Laura said...

Reading your blog makes me happy! Thanks for the photos and the post.

Terri said...

No finish today - as usual, but I did go to your pincushion tutorial. Thanks for sharing that. I love the look. You can never have too many. I like one in the livingroom for TV sewing, one at the sewing machine (Dah!) and one hanging on the design wall. Guess I need to make one.
Hugs

Jen said...

I want to try making a squircle!! Love the scrap rug, too!

Snowcatcher said...

I've crocheted with selvedges and skinny scraps, but never knit. This little rug is fabulous, and I might have to put some selvedges on my needles when I get home tonight because of you!

Jayne said...

Yep! The rug is amazing, but those little pin cushions...why do I always get so excited seeing them?!

Therese said...

I have been knitting rugs and table runners with strings and selvedges. I also have been using all the old fabric I am never going to sew with, trying to clean out my overwhelmingly large fabric stash. Works well cut into one inch strips. Thanks, always love looking at your projects.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Totally the happiest! I do so love to see scraps being used, and you've made beautiful use of some of yours.

margaret said...

such a good way to use up those scraps that are too small to use in quilting. Cute pincushions too

Julia Mac said...

Your posts always make me happy when they arrive in my inbox. Thank you :D

Marla said...

Your rug is so happy. I make them, too, but I crochet them. They are so comfy and durable, as well as pretty. A huge oval one that I made 17 years ago, is just as good as new after lots of use!

Turid said...

I just love your pincushions. And you couldn't have too many of those. What about a pincushion linky party?

skrawek tęczy said...

Pomysłowe i piękne prace. Pozdrawiam serdecznie:)

Rene' said...

I love that you made your squircle into a pincushion! Seems perfect to me. I need to pull out Carolyn's book and start a new project....maybe I will make squircles at retreat....

Kim said...

I love the projects, especially those pincushions! Adorable! I am not a quilter, I sew for fashion or home decor, but I do have a lot of scraps. Right now I am in the process of making a curtain out of some of them. Of course, I just need to find the time...

Kim said...

Great use of scraps! Love the rug.

Jeneta said...

Yes - I LOVE your photo! Now I think I need a bowl of pincushions like yours. I'm not sure how to break the news to my husband (he still hasn't gotten over the number of cushions on the couches!!).

Amanda Jean said...

Bernie Kringel,

The rugs last a LONG time!They wash up super well! I just put them in my regular washing machine. You can dry the rugs in either the drier or let them air dry. (For me, it depends on the season.)

I hope that helps!

AJ

Amanda Jean said...

Aimee,

I do usually still knit with two strands and crochet with one strand. I don't think I prefer one method over the other. I really like them both! You could try to make a smaller version of each method (pot holder or placemat size) to see what you prefer.

I hope that helps!

AJ

Amanda Jean said...

Leanne,

The rugs wash up great!!! They can be washed and dried like your regular laundry. They wear well....for years and years! I don't put a non-slip mat under my rugs, but I haven't had a problem with them shifting around, either.

I hope you give them a try!

AJ