Quilt Retreat & Tunisian Techniques

My neighbor’s mare dropped a foal about 4 days ago and I have been trying to get a picture of the baby all morning but mama is still very protective and continues to put herself between my camera and the baby.  Spring is without a doubt here….on drives down into the valley there are new lambs frolicking in the pastures…new life is everywhere!

I was blessed with a 4 day quilt retreat with my quilt group, Laid Back Ladies of the Block, and have returned refreshed and encouraged to spend more time with my quilting.  Carol Porter is a member of the group and will have pictures and stories to share in her blog.  Several of our members knit as well as quilt and there were needles clicking away over the days we spent together.

I finished my two sets of hand warmers using Tunisian Techniques.  The dark gray set used the traditional Tunisian stitch while the cream set used the Tunisian Knit stitch.  I had a lot of fun making the hand-warmers but wish I had a better technique for making the thumb hole.  Anyone have any suggestions?  I know I will be making more of these quick but every so useful hand-warmers for next winter.

Here is my pattern instructions.

MATERIALS: worsted weight yarn.

Lion Brand Fun Fur for cuff

Size H Double Ended Tunisian Crochet Hook

Chain 32 stitches (my hand is average to large), join being careful not to twist the chain. If you are making one for a larger or smaller hand do your chain and measure it around the hand at the widest point.  You DO NOT want this chain tight.  It will tighten up as you do the Tunisian work.

Using two strands pick up stitches as directed  in the instructions with the Tunisian Hook…pick up 10 stitches, turn and using the second thread work off 9 stitches, turn and repeat until piece is as long as you would like before making the hole for the thumb.

THUMB:

When picking up the next Tunisian stitch make a slip stitch, do this 4 times and continue working in regular Tunisian pattern.  When you reach the thumb space on the next row, chain 4 and continue in the Tunisian pattern.  On the next row pick up one Tunisian stitch in each of the chain four and continue until you have worked 1” above the thumb hole.  At this point I suggest you try the hand-warmer on and determine how many more rows you would like to work.

On the next row I decreased 1 stitch every 5 stitches and worked the remaining length on these stitches. This gives you a snug fit across the fingers.

I embellished the bottom with the fun fur in a contrasting shade.  I found it showed more “hair” if I worked a Tunisian stitch over the existing stitches for 4 rows.

These hand-warmers are a quick and easy but much appreciated gift for the cool winter months.

I was able to work on two fund raiser quilts for the 60 mile /3 day breast cancer walk while on retreat. I will keep you posted on their progress.

I would love to know about your charity projects!

I’m working on deciphering this pattern.  The picture was found in an old book but no instructions.  It appears to be hairpin lace and I am determined to recreate it.  If anyone has any input that would be helpful PLEASE let me know…. fran@clover-usa.com .