Using my Noggin'

That's what I did! When Kristie posted photos of herself sporting a cute cable-knit hat last month, I proposed a swap so that I could have one, too!  I've mentioned before what an expert knitter my Mom is, but I'm constantly asking her to knit me stuff. It's time to share the love and let others have the joy of creating beautiful knitwear for me, hehe.

Like my new hat?

How come everyone is so much faster than I am?! My hat arrived earlier this week. Damn that mother of 3, part time professional for being so gosh darn efficient with her time.  Although we both pledged to keep our little swap totally low key, I don't like things to drag out too long for fear of getting a reputation. As in "oh, she roped you into a private swap, too, eh? Have you also been waiting 3 months for her to pony up?"

I offered Kristie a threadcatcher, since I can pretty much make those things in my sleep, but she already has one. She suggested an armchair pin cushion/caddy made with Amy's tutorial.  She also said that she likes blue and green and when I prompted further, I found out that her stash is Echino-less. Well, that's just not on!

I was more than happy to try out a new pin cushion idea and will make one of these for myself soon, too. A threadcatcher is perfect beside your machine, but this handy unit is what you need beside you on the couch! Amy's tutorial is super easy to follow with great photos and I made it even easier by not using pieced pockets, and simply topstitching the pocket tops instead of binding them.  I also topstitched a couple of sections to one pocket to hold scissors, a ripper and a spool of thread. After posting a pic on Instagram last night, I got the inevitable question: Where does the beer go?  Ah, the answer to that is NO WHERE near my Echino!

I busted out the Auriful 12 wt for some bold quilting lines again, after loving the look on my pear potholders. Kristie and her family are currently sunning their buns and likely sporting mouse ears in Florida.  Hopefully this will be waiting for her when she arrives home.  

Thanks for a fun swap, Kristie!