I worked on my flower…

I have found the sewing machine speed that works for me and I am pleased with the results - it’s not perfect, but if I wanted perfect I would digitise a flower and use my embroidery machine.

As you can see in the below image, I’m still going outside the outline and I shall try stitching the outline last in the next flower.

I’ve been working on my free motion embroidery. This is my first attempt at fill stitches. I haven’t yet found the right machine speed so more experimentation is required. The density isn’t right and the stitches are a bit bitty.

Also some of my stitches go over the outline - I think I can fix this by stitching the outline last.

The embroidery threads I have at the moment aren’t close enough in colour - must buy more. Does anyone know of a good online source for Robinson Anton rayon?

I had another go at the Vintage sock and so far so good. This yarn makes it quite tricky to see the lace pattern, but it is there - must remember to use a single colour yarn next time.

I bought the Knitting Vintage Socks (by Nancy Bush) book from here (I love this place books arrive within a week).

I’ve been attempting to knit these socks …

Image from Knitting Vintage Socks)

I have attempted the cuff six times! I thought I had it and then I realised I’d added two extra stitches when I joined the round! Anyway I shall try again…

I’ve started cutting out this fabric. My plan is to do something with nine patches …

I have started a pair of socks for myself based on the recipe in this book. This yarn is Jigsaw Heirloom Sock Yarn Colour 57. I have two more balls, colour 58 and colour 27. Not to mention three balls of Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Spirit 508 Senses - I plan to make more socks! I’m addicted.

I have been blogging for a year now and I thought this would be a good time to take stock.

At the start I hoped this blog would force me to create more to generate content. I don’t think that has been the case. However, it is great to have a record of a year’s crafting. In the past year I have been most pleased with

my patchwork cards

birth sampler

patchwork blocks

And my socks

Once I expanded this blog to include non-crafty items, such as book reviews, I found it much easier to find content.

During the next year, I want to focus on embroidery (in particular larger embroideries that require multiple hoopings) and reducing my fabric stash (not to mention the to be read pile of books). I have plans for an I Spy quilt (the latest Get Creative magazine had a pattern I quite liked) and a Disappearing Nine Patch.

I went here …

To see these …

Check out this link: Sculpture by the Sea 

I’ve been watching Road to Avonlea while knitting my socks. It’s a Canadian children’s television series that was filmed in the late 80s early 90s - there were seven series. It was made by Sullivan Entertainment who also made the Anne of Green Gables shows. It is based (somewhat loosely) on the works of L M Montgomery (namely The Story Girl, The Golden Road, Chronicles of Avonlea and Further Chronicles of Avonlea)

(Picture from http://www.avonleaguide.com/)

I’ve been enjoying it - each episode is about 45 minutes long (just the right length for any of my knitting attempts) and there are 91 episodes - surely I’ll get my sock finished before I’ve finished watching them all. There is a fabulous website devoted to the series here.

I love looking at the clothes and the house furnishings - I imagine there is a lot of ironing involved!

If you like period domestic detail and (dare I say it) wholesome entertainment, then watch this series. However, a word of caution Sullivan Entertainment charge a King’s ransom to post the DVDs to Australia, buy from here instead.

I’ve been working away at the socks - it’s definitely addictive. I decided to make socks for P (she has the smallest feet in the house), although these seem enormous and will probably fit me.

I had to cast on 6 times (yes 6 times!) before I managed to get it right, but now things are going well. I’m in the easy part - the band is done and I haven’t got to the heel flap.

I’m using 4mm needles and the pattern (and the label on the ball of wool) both suggested 3 or 3.5mm needles - could that be the reason my sock is enormous? I should have done a test swatch as recommended by the Yarn Harlot.