I have done a practice stitch out of my sampler.
Stitching away
Here is the finished version …
Finished Sampler
My sewing machine had a bit of a moment at one point – the bobbin and top threads got all tangled, there was a horrible noise and it ground to a halt, however, I am happy with the final results. I think more stabilisation and a nicer fabric and it will be fine.
Filed under Cross Stitch, Digitizing, Machine Embroidery
Yarn Bombing Near the Botanic Gardens
Look what I came across on my run this morning – it made me smile.
Filed under Knitting, miscellaneous
We have been away at Rottnest. Miss P went on camp and we decided to go too. It is such a relaxing place to go – no cars, nothing to do but read books and knit. I’ve made progress on Miss P’s cardigan (the yarn is Jo Sharp Desert Aran Cotton).
Sunrise over the salt lake
Sunset from our cottage
On the way to the look out
Salt Lake – a different one
Progress on Miss P’s Cardigan
Blackwork Sampler in Progress
I like grids, lines and crosses and I have always loved the look of Blackwork – I love how something so simple can be effective.
I have been inspired by this book to make my own blackwork sampler (using machine embroidery). I didn’t want to copy that one exactly, so I have used different fills. There are a number of blackwork resources on the web (simply search for blackwork embroidery). I found this one, which lead me to this page on 16th Century fill in patterns.
This is still quite experimental – I think it might end up being too small and the jump threads might test my sanity.
I’m using the Cross Stitch module of Embird, which is super easy to use and it comes with some built in blackwork fills (but I have decided to make my own).
I am wondering what kind of stabiliser I need? There are a lot of stitches and I suspect I need a sturdy stabiliser to stop it puckering.
Filed under Cross Stitch, Digitizing, Knitting, Machine Embroidery
Finished the Owl Socks
Socks are finished. They have already been worn.
Now for a new project. I started this swatch …
but I can’t get guage, so I have abandoned that idea and now I am working on this…
Blossom Bolero by Stitchy Mama
Here is a link to her (Stitchymamas) Ravelry page.
Filed under Inspiration, Knitting
I want to start a new project! And yet there are so many on the go.
This one …
And this one …I have to say I’m not feeling the love for this anymore.
Not to mention this one …
And the quilt I am making out of the girls’ baby clothes.
I want to start something else. I want to make something with this yarn. Not sure what yet – but I have 12 balls of it, so I should be able to make pretty much anything I want!
Filed under Inspiration, Knitting
I store my yarn in various different places around the house and I decided it was time to get organised.
I spent a bit of time on the weekend taking photos of my stash and uploading it to Ravelry.
Some of the yarn I had forgotten I had! Like this …
Forgotten Yarn
I have two skeins so I can make socks.
What I think I will find the most useful is the Needle & Hook chart. I am forever buying new needles just in case, but now I shall be able to refer to my Ravelry page and see whether I have the correct needle size already.
Now I just need to do some knitting.
Filed under Knitting, Yarn Stash
Sock Progress
So the second sock is progressing. I’ve turned the heel and now have to pick up the edge stitches.
I’ve been reading a book that mentions an over coat made of vicuna. I had never even heard of vicuna! I was intrigued. I thought maybe you could get it as yarn and knit something. Well you can, but I could only find 25g balls for $310 yes that’s right $310! Plus I could only find brown!
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting
Second Sock Progress
I have finished the first sock!
I am slowly making my way through the second sock – there are so many other things I want to be doing.
I have been watching a few DVDs though – while I am making slow progress. I have re-watched the 1995 Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth) and I have just started watching the first season of The Newsroom, I really enjoy it, but does anyone else think they talk super fast?
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting
Tension Square
This is my tension square (swatch) for a new project.
I have been able to use my fancy-pants addi interchangeables – very nice.
The yarn is a Jo Sharp Aran Cotton (the colour is Parakeet). I bought it on sale from her store in Cottesloe, which doesn’t exist anymore (such a shame).
The lace is gull lace and I’m gearing myself up to have another go at the February Fitted Jumper (I am hoping a less fluffy yarn might make things a bit simpler).
Filed under Knitting, Yarn Stash
I’ve turned the corner
Miss P’s socks are progressing slowly. This is very meditative knitting – I find myself focusing on each stitch.
I did discover while knitting these socks that I have been doing SSK wrong! I could never understand why SSK and K2tog tbl were different (mine certainly weren’t!). I didn’t realise you slip the two stitches knit wise! I had been doing it Purl wise!
I have also finally worked out which way the decreases will lean! SSK is left and K2Tog is right!
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting
