Friday, May 13, 2016

socks, bibs and pincushions, oh my!

Welcome to finish it up Friday! The school year is winding down, so things are busy, busy, busy. I'm thankful that I have any finishes at all this week!
This is my 16 pair of hand knit socks to date. Hurray! These are for my oldest son, so now ALL of my kids have a pair of hand knit socks, or "Saturday Socks", as they are affectionately called in our house. My kids love them. I love that they love them! This yarn is a mix of bamboo, wool and nylon. It wasn't my favorite to knit with (it tangled so easily) but the results feel amazing! I'm glad they have a happy ending. :)

I used my basic sock pattern, which you can find here. (For this pair, I did make a few modifications. I knit the ribbing for the cuff according to the pattern, but I did a plain stockenette stitch throughout the foot portion.)
I went a little crazy making bibs last week. I powered through 9 of them! I used the best bib pattern, and I talked about the modifications in this post. I'm excited about gifting them!
I made a few flying geese pincushions...this one in all greens...which was totally inspired by my backyard....(it's scrap project #143.)
(man, I love this time of the year....)
I made another pincushion this morning, to test my pattern....to make sure the first one wasn't a fluke. Hahaha! This is scrap project #144! (You will probably see a few more of these...)
I love these pincushions because they have the most humble beginnings. I absolutely love transforming scraps into pretty things! (I know, big news there! Hahaha!)
 
Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week! Thanks, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday!

34 comments:

Melissa Corry said...

Wow, super productive week!!! I just love those teeny tiny flying geese!!! So adorable!! And I totally want to come visit in your backyard, just breathtaking!!!

josiekitten said...

I love knitting socks, I must have made more than 100 pairs! So cosy! I love your pincushion and am excited that there might be a pattern in time!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Wow, you have so many finished for the week! I love the "Saturday Socks" and your pincushions are so sweet. :)

Quilts and Such said...

Love the bibs! And you have got me started on pin cushions and scraps. Love your projects!

A Colorful World said...

Very impressive finish of projects!

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Wow you have been busy! Your pin cushions are adorable, I love that you have inspiration from just outside your windows - and yay for nice fluffy socks - you just can't beat a good handknit sock!!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I love those little pincushions. Your projects are always so inspiring!

a maidenhair fern said...

Your socks are amazing. They look perfect. I'm intrigued with your pincushions. I see signs of paper piecing. I just started that, so I'm on the lookout. Where'd you get the pattern? And I really need to do some of those bibs too. Now. that back yard of yours, OMW! I'd give anything for a back yard like that. Thanks for the linky party.

Amy B. said...

I love those pincushions! Flying geese are one of my favorite blocks, but I have yet to master them!

Brooke said...

love your paper pieced flying geese...

could I ask where you pattern came from??

thanks!!

brooke@sillymamaquilts.com

Turid said...

Oh my, the green pincushion is staring at me. Beautiful.

Suzanne said...

Your pincushion passion is contagious. I caught the bug today and squealed in delight.

I'm tickled about the name of the Saturday socks and so happy to hear your kiddos love them.

Anna said...

Love your backyard!!! Yay for May!

Live a Colorful Life said...

Socks--still on my list of things to learn to knit. And those pincushions--SO cute!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Handmade socks are on my lists of things I dream of having!! They look so comfy. The bibs are totally adorable! Sweet pincushions too :)

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Our place is green like yours, I love this time of year too!

mascanlon said...

I wish I could knit! The socks are just great. But I will say my real love is that scrappy pincushion! I hope you'll share the pattern/process with us. Have a great weekend too!

Unknown said...

Your backyard is amazing!!!

Susan K from Canada said...

Hi Amanda - love your pin cushions. I have made a few and have stuff them with batting - don't really like the batting. What do you use to stuff? If sand what kind? Thanks.

Amanda Jean said...

Susan K from Canada,

These are stuffed with crushed walnut shells, which is sold in pet stores as lizard litter. It makes such a great filler. I hope that helps!

AJ

Christine Slaughter said...

Lovely finishes! I love the socks, they look so cozy and comfy! That's a lot of bibs to crank out in one week, well done! And those pin cushions... Super love those!

Jen said...

You finished so many things! Awesome! I wish I would've seen the cute baby bibs earlier, I would've made some to go with the baby quilt I finished!

Kim B. said...

Those are of course beautiful makes, but -- THAT IS YOUR BACK YARD?!!! That is stunning!!!

KaHolly said...

What a super post! Those socks look amazing! Very professional, too. All those little bibs in a row are so sweet! I'm going to have to check out that pattern more closely. It's always nice to have a few on standby for gift giving. Now, to your pincushion! It's adorable! What are you stuffing/filling them with? I made a few with crushed walnut shells during the winter, and now I'm spoiled, but can't find a source for shells up here. Have a wonderful weekend!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I have made one pair of socks and wish there were more knitters close by so I could become a more proficient knitter. I love your pin cushions, such a cute way to use of those scraps. What size are the pin cushions? The bibs are so cute - great gifts for baby showers.

Susan K from Canada said...

Thanks Amanda - I live up in Guelph Ontario Canada and I have looked everywhere for crushed walnut shells - not able to find them. 😕

Needled Mom said...

Love those pincushions!

Cathy Weber said...

I also would love to know how you make the cute pincushions! Please show us...they are wonderful.

Unknown said...

Love all the work you have been showing, the cushions are divine, I love, love, using scraps, keep inspiring me so I can get in and lessen my stash.

Your work is always beautiful Amanda, must get into my sewing space and create as well, have a few quilts to begin.

Happy sewing, thanks for your blog, Lyn, Australia

Quayceetatter said...

I love this time of year also, Everything is coming to life! Lots of nice finished projects. What size needles to you use for the socks??

Unknown said...

Hi Amanda! I was all set to order the bib pattern and couldn't find it on your link. Could it have sold out?

Diane Beavers said...

Wow what a breath taker of a back yard! How about a retreat there? haha...
Saturday Socks are cool, I have all the goods to make, just gotta sit down and slow down and start a pair. Thanks for sharing the pinnie's too...I'm giving "Flying Geese" a try. You make em so quick and easy.

Gretchen in MI said...

Love your sock pattern. I just finished up another pair this weekend using it. Best pattern I've found!

Jeneta said...

THAT'S your back yard? You are SO lucky!!!! I really need to make a pin cushion for work - I'm now motivated to actually go and do it!