Bearpaw Squared

The other week I had the last class in my Modern Patchwork Techniques 2 evening class block. I decided that we should concentrate on HST's and maybe even have a go at designing our own blocks.

And so, in preparation, I thought I'd try to design a block myself. After about 5 minutes doodling I came up with this. I worked out all the sizes and knocked one up using different HST short cut techniques (I especially love Sarah Fielke's very neat Flying Geese tute here).

I was really pleased with how the block looked and decided to call it Bearpaw Squared, as it's got Bearpaws in the corners and squares in the middle. Also I'm often known as 'Bearpaw Squared' on Flickr as my Flickr name is Bearpawandbearpaw.

Here's another one I started during the class and finished off at home this morning. I was obviously concentrating hard on my students (as of course I should be), as this is very badly pieced. The students were all so taken with my block that they either made one for themselves or designed very similar versions.

Which brings me to a question. Seeing as this was very hurriedly designed, can this be the first time you've seen this block? Are there just so many different combinations that can be made from squares and triangles that there are endless variations, like lottery numbers?
Please tell me if I have inadvertently made a block that already has a name!

So what do you think about a whole quilt of these? It is a 12" block so 16 would work pretty well I'm thinking. Would anybody like a quick tute and a pattern?

Now here's something you don't see very often on this blog - knitting!!
Yes I have started knitting! Because of course I need another project...

I just loved this Sirdar Folklore chunky yarn we have in store and the lovely patterns in the accompanying pattern book. I used to knit a lot but over the last 5 years crochet has pushed all the knitting information out of my brain so that I couldn't even remember how to cast on! But once I got started it all came back, and I remembered that knitting is actually fun! Especially now I have bamboo knitting needles - what an improvement. And so quiet!

I am knitting an adult sized version of this jumper for my boy Felix (aged 22). He is off on his travels again and I haven't seen him since April 1st. I really miss him and am unlikely to see him again till next April. The only thing I could think of to do about missing him so much was to start making him something (I have realised that I show love through crafting!), and when he comes back to Scotland from exotic climes he is bound to be quite cold, so what could be better than a cosy jumper to wrap him in? And next April gives me plenty of time to get it finished - I have also remembered how slow I am at knitting!