Yo Yos

Yo-Yo quilts have been a popular American quilt documnted since the 1920s. Small circles of fabric are gathered around the edges and sewn together forming a three-dimensional quilt top that requires no batting or backing. The quilt pattern is very practical as the circles can be cut from small scraps of fabric and the project easily carried with you to work on while on the go. This quilting style was named yo-yo as it is believed the circles, once gathered, somewhat resemble the yo-yo toy so popular during the 1930-50s.

I am using an assortment of red, green and gold prints from a stack of fat-quarters I have in my collection.

In addition to fabric, the other supplies needed are minimal - scissors, template for circle tracing, a pen, needle, thread, needle threader and a thimble.





I found an oriental bowl in my kitchen that was approximately 4-1/2" in diameter and placed it on the ironed fat quarter cloth and simply traced around it with a pen and cut it out with my scissors.






Once cut out, I thread my needle and start sewing in a running stitch around the edge of the circle, turning the raw edge under 1/4" as I sew.

I gather the fabric up with the thread a bit as I sew around, then pull the gathers tight once I've stitched all the way around the circle.

A 4-1/2" circle makes one yo-yo approximately 2-1/4" wide once it has been gathered and flattened.

Once several yo yos have been made, I sew the sides of each of them together to make the quilt and continue until I've reached a finished size that I desire - anywhere from table topper size to king-size bed sized. I like to make small blocks up of four yo yo circles per block and then sew the blocks of four into larger blocks made up of four of the smaller blocks. Then arrange them into rows, and then sewing the rows together to make up a larger quilt.

We'll see how big this one ends up . . .

An excellent reference in pdf format on the history and making of the yo-yo quilt can be found on the web at - http://www.museums.state.ak.us/QuiltExhibit/quiltspdf/YoYo.pdf

New Pics of the Grandchildren

My daughter Jennifer

sent me some great new photos of my grandchildren, Brittany, Megan and Matthew . . .

Here Brittany models a few of the outfits found in the box of new clothes from Oak Harbor . . .





So elegant in this little black dress . . .

Here she smiles with her boyfriend, Al . . .

Megan, relaxing as she works on her computer . . .

Megan on the counter . . .

Matthew works on his computer . . .

More electronics for Matt . . .

Most times, Denver seems too far away . . .

A Common Ground New Years

Generously opening her home to the Cornwall Church group, Common Ground, so we could ring in the New Year, our stage was beautifully set . . .

Lots and lots of food and lots and lots of fun . . .





Friends . . .



Then a game of Battle of the Sexes. It is amazing what some of us know . . . and some of us don't . . .




Even a New Year's Eve birthday celebration.


Toasting in the new year . . .



A great party . . .

Happy New Year to all!

Knitting My Fingerless Mitts

My weekend project! Fingerless mitts keep my wrists and hands warm yet provide freedom for my fingers. For extra warmth, I like mine made from two strands of yarn, but this same pattern can be used with just one strand. I love mine, they are great for dog walking!

I selected a skein of multi-color shades of pinks and blues and a skein of bright pink.

Materials -
2 skeins yarn
4 double pointed Size 7 knitting needles
Stitch holder
Round Marker

Here is my pattern - Left Mitt - With two strands of yarn, cast on 30 stitches. Distribute stitches evenly onto three double pointed Size 7 knitting needles, place round marker on first needle and carry with each knitted round. With the fourth double pointed needle, work 20 rows of knit 1, purl 1 ribbing for the cuff.

Work the next series of rounds to increase the width for the thumb.

Round One

• Needle 1 - k to 2 sts from end, m1, k2


• Needle 2 - k1, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - K across

Round Two

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Three

• Needle 1 - k to 2 sts from end, m1, k2


• Needle 2 - k 2, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Four

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Five

• Needle 1 - k to 2 stitches from end, m1, k2


• Needle 2 - k 3, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Six

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Seven

• Needle 1 - k to 2 stitches from end, m1, k2


• Needle 2 - k4, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Eight

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Nine

• Needle 1 - k to 2 stitches from end, m1, k2


• Needle 2 - k5, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - knit across

Round Ten

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Eleven

• Needle 1 - k to 2 stitches from end, m1, k2


• Needle 2 - k6, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - knit across

Round Twelve

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Thirteen

• Needle 1 - k to 5 sts from end, place 5 sts onto holder


• Needle 2 - place 5 sts onto holder, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across
  
  
  

Knit for 5 rounds with the stitches that remain on the needles to form the glove portion for your hand. Change to a k1, p1 ribbing pattern and knit 12 more rounds. Bind off. Work in all yarn ends.





To make the thumb, pick up four stitches from the glove edge with one needle and distribute the stitches that you placed onto the stitch holder onto two needles with 4 stitches on one and 6 stitches on the other.




Knit three rounds. Then work three rounds of the k1, p1 ribbing. Bind off and work in all yarn ends. The left mitt is finished!

Mitt can be worn with the cuff left unrolled and long to provide extra arm and wrist warmth.

Or fold the cuff in half to provide extra warmth at the wrist. Fingers and thumb are exposed to provide free movement but can easily pull into the mitt to get a little extra warmth.

Right Mitt - work the same as the left, except work the increases for the thumb rounds as follows:

Round One

• Needle 1 - k to 1 st from end, m1, k1


• Needle 2 - k2, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Two

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Three

• Needle 1 - k to 2 sts from end, m1, k2


• Needle 2 - k 2, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Four

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Five

• Needle 1 - k to 3 sts from end, m1, k 3

Round Six

• Needles 1, 2, 3 k across

Round Seven

• Needle 1 - k to 4 sts from m1, k 4


• Needle 2 - k 2, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Eight

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Nine

• Needle 1 - k to 5 sts from end, m1, k5


• Needle 2 - k2, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Ten

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Eleven

• Needle 1 - k to 6 sts from end, m1, k6


• Needle 2 - k2, m1, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Round Twelve

• Needles 1, 2, 3 - k across

Round Thirteen

• Needle 1 - k to 5 sts from end, place t sts onto holder


• Needle 2 - place 5 sts onto holder, k to end


• Needle 3 - k across

Continue directions as for left mitt.

Next, I'm making a pair with wool yarn in a dark green. . .

Christmas with Friends - 2007

Christmas dinner shared with friends in my home . . . Joyce, Magel and Kriss.

Torrie greats everyone.

Our menu: Roasted leg of lamb with garlic and fresh rosemary, baked honey ham, roasted potatoes with fresh thyme and garlic, roasted baby carrots, mixed green salad, fresh rolls followed by giant fresh mochas and pumpkin pie with vanilla bean ice cream . . .

Steve stops by on his way to his daughter's and joins us for a plate of Christmas dinner and a piece of pie before joining his children and grandson for another Christmas dinner.

It's coffee time . . .

Later, a Christmas party at Kriss's with an evening of cheeses and more pumpkin pie with more friends and kids . . . and a special Christmas celebration for the dogs.

Kriss fixes a derailment . . .

Torrie and Buddy have a great time playing together before the guests arrive . . .

Christy arrives . . .

And then Keith and his son.

Time again for holiday food and cheer . . . egg nog, assorted cheeses and crackers, juicy clemintines . . . and pumpkin pie . . .

Jesse has special gifts under the tree for Buddy and Torrie . . .

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night . . .

Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas . . .