pepperknit

Today, I delved into the world of quilting. Two log cabin squares in aquas and reds, made to be “wonky” (a true challenge for me).

I’ve done one log cabin square before, but it was the epitome of precision: each band was 1″ wide, exactly, all the way around, without fail. I didn’t expect it to come out that way, but I’m someone who tends to the exact. For this I was aiming to make it more “free-form,” and though it required careful planning, I think I managed it! The true surprise was how much they look alike—the first was done and not within sight while I sewed the second, and yet I have wide bands in the same fabrics and the placement of the fabrics is really quite similar. Oh well, so much for “random”!

A rainy day in Brooklyn is the perfect backdrop for a shoot of sweet little Totoro; his leaf has gone missing, but I lent him my umbrella, don’t worry.

Totoro
Pattern on Rav
My project page on Rav
Yarn: Red Heart Eco-Ways, 1 skein each Oyster and Blue Cloud
Hook: E/4 (3.5mm)
Started: Wednesday, October 21
Finished: Friday, October 23

Notes: I made the ears smaller–only up to 18 sts before working straight. I futzed the decreases for the bottom of the ears. Otherwise I followed the directions exactly. If you make this, I recommend making the parts in the following order (not the order the pattern is written): White eye circle, ears, arms, tail, THEN the body. (The belly circle can be done any time; I attached it after sealing up his body. This way you can attach everything as you go and still be working off the same ball of yarn.

Happy birthday to my friend Holly! Totoro will go to live with her on her big 3-0, today!

fall!