Wall hanging

The wall hanging centre panel is now complete all I need to make now are all the flowers for the spray down the side and across the bottom. I am loving how it looks so far. I have not shown any of the ladies from my quilting group I want to surprise them with the finished product. 

Wall hanging

 Wall Hanging 

I am making this for the exhibition we are having here in Port Augusta , the first weekend in June.

  

 I have found it easier to  join each hexagon in strip from as above 

Then join the strips to form the full flower as in the left photo. I tried to take a photo up close to show the strips. When I have made hexagon quilts in the past I have made each flower from the centre out to the edge but because these are so small only 1/2 inch I was always starting and stopping.  

Here is part of the main panel made.Once I  include the single flower I have two more rows to add.

Below is what the finished wall hanging is supposed to look like when I have it all finished

I am using different colours. all I have done so far is the centre panel and I have all the flower hexagons cut out and tacked onto there papers ready to make the side spray. I am looking for wood grain fabric for the boarders I want to make it look like a picture frame. 

Crocodile Stitch

Crocodile Stitch shawl

I have completed a few more rows of this shawl while at Ashley's and Nicole's moving house for them.

I was not able to help much soI sat in my folding chair supervising and crocheting. 

I think I will be able to teach this stitch at the retreat. All you have to know how to do is trebles or Double crochet  depending what country you are from.In Australia we call a dc a treble and a dc is a single crochet it can get confusing if you a new to American pattern because all Australian patterns use terms from England.I think it is worth finishing even if I don't need it and was only doing it to learn a new stitch.

Another free pattern

Needle case two

This free pattern is made using 11s delica beads 

I hope it is more to everyone's liking. I am sorry that the needle case 

using 8s was not as well received. I will try to remember not to post patterns using this size bead.

Patterns

Just a reminder check my free patterns in the 2011 patterns page . I am posting patterns there all the time 

I don't want anyone to miss one of my free patterns. I love make up patterns but can't say how long I will be posting patterns. After looking at etsy I should be selling my patterns but because I found great free patterns and tuts when I first started beading I want to give a bit back. Enjoy.

Cardigan

Top Down Cardigan 

I was asked by a good friend if I could knit her husband a cardigan. I don't like knitting to order because I feel I have to get it done fast and hate being pressured but I don't seem to be able to say " no I can't possible do that for you I am sorry ." what I do say is " yes I would be happy to do that for you." one day I my get it right but then I would feel bad..

 Roz gave me the wool on the Wednesday before we went to Cowell for our fishing trip. I wanted something to keep me busy while we were there because I knew Wayne would be fishing everyday and I would be left home because its imposable  for me to get into the boat any more. He needed the break because he spends every day looking after me and the house. I know I am very lucky to have him be so caring.

 The pattern I used was in a book called button up your top down. by Deb Gemmell

http://www.cabinfever.ca/knittersbook2.html

I brought this book last year at the knitting retreat I attend in the Adelaide hills.

Roz's husband is a big man so I needed to add to the pattern. She wanted the cardigan to be more like a coat which I think it dose.   

 Here is the finished cardigan. I can't seem to find buttons for it so I will have to put something like a clear one on for the moment until we go to Adelaide again because the craft shop near here doesn't have anything near big enough. 

Roz said she would pay me of knitting this for her but that's hard because I don't know what to charge and she is a friend, I know her husband in unwell and feeling the cold. Its not winter until June 1st here so he really needed it. I may just give it to her. After all I was not really doing anything else and I have lots of time to waste. 

April Free pattern

 

For this months free patterns you need size 8 beads and a small wooden needle case

I hope you have fun with this months pattern I have made lots of these and given them to friends for birthdays.

April Free Pattern