I have been working solely on this project (Dame Nature Du Printemps). I bought the kit with 32 count linen.
Introduction to Jacobean Crewel Work is Finished
I finally finished my RSN crewel work piece. My pomegranate is poor, but I am happy with the rest of it. Given how much I love knitting, I thought I would enjoy working with wool, but I didn’t enjoy the process. I like how it looks, but my yarn (a dodgy batch?) was a bit scraggly.
The course itself was fabulous; great videos that you can watch over and over again. The kit is great and contains everything you need (except a hoop and scissors).
I am contemplating the black work class, but the puffin doesn’t really appeal to me. However, it’s about the learning rather than the end product.
Filed under Embroidery
Finished Socks
I finished my socks. They’re plain socks – top down, with a heel flap.
The yarn is from Yarns by the Bay (DK Muddy Waters – 100 grams, 85% SW Fine Merino and 15% Nylon).
I have now started a new blanket;
I bought the kit from Crossways Wool and Fabric – the kit comes with everything you need (you even get to choose wood or metal needles – I went metal).
I have started twice, but I think I have the hang of it now. It should make good TV knitting. I am just starting to re-watch Little Dorrit (from 2008). I have even read the novel (Little Dorrit)
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting, Television
DK weight socks
I have been working on DK (8 ply) weight socks. The yarn is from Yarns by the Bay (DK Muddy Waters – 100 grams, 85% SW Fine Merino and 15% Nylon).
The socks are knitting up quickly – I only need 40 stitches rather than the usual 64. Plus each round is ‘taller’ so I don’t need as many rounds.
It might turn out that they are too bulky for day to day wear, but it was worth experimenting.
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting, Yarn Stash
Mosaic Knitting Workshop
I went to a workshop at Calico and Ivy on Mosaic knitting, run by Pru Raymond. It was a lovely afternoon.
I didn’t finish my washcloth in the class it took a couple of TV knitting sessions.
The yarn is Finch 10ply Cotton, my colours are Mulberry and Ballet. It makes a lovely, squishy fabric.
Filed under Colour Work, Knitting, Knitting - Colour work
Machine Embroidery – Blackwork
My plan is to cover a wooden box with embroidery – something like this one. Because I don’t know how well this is going to go, I am doing my first attempt with machine embroidery (the above took 35 minutes).
I am using a design from Embroidery Library. I am stitching on linen using sewing machine thread and a cutaway medium weight stabiliser.
Filed under Blackwork, Digitizing, Embroidery, Machine Embroidery
Socks are Finished
I finished my version of the Duke Who Gives it All Up socks, which is part of the Golden Honey Sock club.
I used Elsie Gray’s Signature Hand Dyed Range – in colour Just Joey. I used my usual 2.25mm knit pro zing circulars.
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting, Yarn Stash
New Project Bag
I am determined to turn my stitched pieces into something useful – rather than framing them. Hence the needle book and now a project bag.
The cross stitch is cinnamon stars by Plum Street Samplers. I quilted around the cross stitch, lined the bag with mushroom fabric and added a zip.
This bag is enormous 56cm by 50cm, which means my largest Q Snap should fit.
Filed under Cross Stitch, Cross Stitch, Embroidery, Fabric Stash, Quilting, Sewing
Needle Book
I turned my mattress ticking surface embroidery piece into a needle book (no more putting my needles into random bits of fabric or paper)
I put a piece of wool felt inside for the needles.
Filed under Embroidery, Sewing
Zipper Bag
It’s school holidays here, which means no students for a couple of weeks, so I have set my embroidery machine up on my desk.
The design is from Pixie Willow Patterns. The instructions were good and it was easy to put together (it did take me a couple of hours).
My corners aren’t very crisp and I wish I had done the stitching down of the background in black, but I am sure I will make another one and I will do that then.
Filed under Applique, Digitizing, Embroidery, Fabric Stash, Machine Embroidery













