I am going to make Miss A a hat – a roadside beanie. I bought the kit from Calico and Ivy.
Heart Socks Finished
I finished the Heartgyle socks from Boost Your Knitting.
I am really pleased I had a go at knitting intarsia in the round – not a fan of the ‘seam’ you can see on the back (see below).
My first heart was much better than my second heart. I think it was because I left all of the weaving in to the end on the first one, but did as I went with the second, which made my tension a bit crap.
I do like the different coloured cuff, heels and toes, so I will do that again. I am keen to try stranded colour work socks, but next up I am going to knit my own version of Helen Stewart’s Shell Cottage Socks (I will use the stitch pattern, but my own ‘recipe’).
Filed under Colour Work, Knitting, Sock Knitting
Temperature Cross Stitch
The temperature cross stitch has started – not up to date yet, but it is easy going. I think one of the maximums (maxima?) is the wrong shade of yellow, but I am not unpicking, so let’s hope this doesn’t (in a hundred years) become a significant historical document.
I think I need to put a key on – otherwise the actual temperature data will be lost. Thoughts?
Filed under Cross Stitch
Temperature Cross Stitch
I am going to do a Temperature cross stitch. I have been diligently recording the daily maxima and minima.
In the image above are the flosses I’m planning to use – cold at the top (anything below 0 – very unlikely in Perth) and hot at the bottom (above 44 – I hope that doesn’t happen or not very often).
Each day will be a 4 by 4 square with the upper left corner the minumum and the bottom right the maximum. Like this
I think I will have a black line between days and months, but I am not certain of that yet.
Filed under Cross Stitch
Heart Socks
I am keen to improve my knitting skills and colour work always looks so lovely. These socks are from the Boost Your Knitting book. I was intrigued by the idea of intarsia in the round.
It came together quite well – I am disappointed about the reverse side. Despite my best efforts there is a noticeable ‘join’. It is on the inside of your leg (when you are wearing the socks).
The issue of the join is that you are making one stitch out of two, so it is always going to have more yarn than a normal stitch and it just stands out.
Filed under Colour Work, Knitting, Sock Knitting
Halloween Cat Cross Stitch
I seem to have my system working now – the ‘double decker’ hoop (so I can work two handed) from here, and the magnifying light (which I bought from an electronic hobby store).
This is coming together nicely – although I am very slow. It’s about the process though and not the final product.
Filed under Cross Stitch
Lace Stars
These stars appealed to me – decorations, present toppers, etc.
I found two layers of water soluble stabiliser worked best (hooped perpendicular to each other).
I used the same thread as both my top thread and my bobbin thread.
I have slowed my machine down to 500 spm. I am not sure if that is necessary, but everything just seems to work a lot better. At this speed it does take 70 minutes, but there are no colour changes.
Filed under Embroidery, Machine Embroidery
Five-Pointed Star
These stars popped up on my Instagram feed and I was intrigued.
These are the instructions I am using – fabulous instructions. You do need to be reasonably precise with the folding otherwise the star looks a bit crap. Also, I bought thickish paper (120gsm), but I think it would be easier with normal paper (and if you can find something pretty so much the better).
My aim is to make several and use them as christmas decorations (maybe a garland).
Filed under Childrens Craft, Christmas Decorations
Birthday Socks
I have been spending all of my craft time on Mr Sewwitty’s birthday sock – this is the first one and I still have a bit to go before the toe (I made him try it on today).
Annoyingly, the yarn had a knot in it – I cut the knot and weaved in both ends as I went, but still annoying.
This is just a plain sock – although it has a twisted rib and eye of partridge heel, so not completely plain.
The yarn is a Waikiwi print, which I bought at Cross Way’s Wool and Fabric.
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting
Birthday Sock
Someone in my house has a big birthday this year, so I thought a pair of socks might be in order (despite the large feet).
I am using a Waikiwi Print in shade 459 (it’s the brown mix). I bought three balls (because of the big feet).
I have done a twisted rib and then it’s going to be a plain vanilla sock.
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting