Hope Grows Here

My husband gave me a yarn bombing book by London Kaye for my birthday last year. The next day I saw a call for yarn creations for Adkins Arboretum’s Yarnstorming 2023. I raised my hand and picked a tree. I starting crocheting in January and installed with snow coming down yesterday. 44 granny squares. 1 double crochet block. 13 letters. 3 butterflies. 12 flowers. 14 leaves. 2 vines. Many stitches holding it all together. Excited to see the other trees on display March 5-April 2 at Adkins Arboretum. The grounds and trails are beautiful—you should definitely stop by! Yarnstorming reception March 12, 2:00-4:00 pm.

First Quilt

Back in February I picked up Palmiers Kiss, Icelandic Poppies Bluebell Metallic and Climbing Branches Kiss from Jen Hewett’s Unruly Nature collection from Gather Here. No real plan for them, they were just too lovely to resist.

I liked the notion of trying a quilt/throw, but didn't want to cut those yummy patterns into tiny pieces. Several searches of big block quilts later, I had some ideas, but no real pattern. Then I picked up a fourth print from the collection, Metallic Bluebell Cup And Saucer Vine, from Three Little Birds along with some speckled backing fabric.

Some more thinking had me finally cutting into the fabric, using my ruler as the size guide.

I arranged the pieces, mixing and matching as I went. I have pieces and fabric left, but like where it landed size-wise after a day of sewing.

I'm my mother's daughter, so this one was destined for hand quilting.

Stitch, stitch, stitch, then it was time to give self binding a try.

Fabric from Jen Hewett’s Unruly Nature collection
Assembled blocks using Jen Hewett’s Unruly Nature fabric

Welcome.

In a week where my city gave a voice to all members of our community then said, "oops, never mind," it felt good to finish my #welcomeblanket. Made with yarn purchased from three locally owned shops, using a stitch I first learned from my grandmother. This blanket is headed to Chicago to join 2,000 miles of warm welcome before finding a home with a new immigrant to the United States.

It's not too late to knit, crochet or sew a blanket for this project--deadline November 4. Details at www.welcomeblanket.org.