April 29, 2015 · 5:54 pm

Knitting Hermione Socks

Hermione Socks

Hermione Socks

I have been busy – too busy. I have taken on too much and I am feeling over-whelmed. I’m slowly extricating myself and finding more time for craft.

I have been working (slowly) on my Hermione sock – I think I have gone a bit astray (is it because the instructions are for two circulars and I’m using double points?). I don’t think it matters – this sock is all about the process, finding a bit of quiet in each day. I have taken notes, so I should be able to make the second sock look like the first.

The yarn is beautiful – hand dyed from here.

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March 16, 2015 · 12:17 pm

Canvas Work 3

Canvas Work Sampler

Canvas Work Sampler

Close Up

Close Up

I have been working away on my canvas work sampler while watching Olive Kitteridge (which is great – I read the book  and loved it, so was keen to see the adaptation particularly because Frances McDormand was Olive).

I have to say this sampler is very slow going. It was a mistake to use embroidery cotton – 9 strands all of that stripping! I should have used wool or picked a smaller canvas 18 count instead of 14. However, it is meant to be a learning experience. The green shape above was a pain to stitch – all that compensation around the edges.

Next up I want to try something pictorial and a bit folk arty.

Something Like This

Something Like This

I’m finding the idea of Berlin wool work quite appealing as well – although it is just tent stitch (so probably not that exciting to stitch).

Like this …

Berlin_Wool_01

That way I could make something a bit more useful (maybe a cushion cover?).

However, I must finish my sampler first.

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February 23, 2015 · 2:22 pm

Canvas Work 2

Pentominoes_01

I have been enjoying my canvas work lessons. For a medium that seems constrained I am finding a lot of freedom and flexibility.

At the moment I’m working on a sampler (see image). I’ve based it on Pentominoes (nice area filling shapes), but as to colour and stitch I’m just making it up as I go along – what do I feel like doing next?

I have to say it does use a lot of thread – I popped to Spotlight today to buy another skein of each colour (I ran out of the blue colour in the image).

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February 16, 2015 · 1:28 pm

Canvas Work

Canvas_Work_01

Pin Cushion and a reference

Pin_Back

Back of my pin cushion

 

Canvas Work Pin Cushion

Front of my pin cushion

I have started a Canvas Work course here – this is a very lovely place I encourage you all to do something there.

Our first project was to create a pin cushion or needle book – as you can see, I chose the pin cushion.

We had amazing instructions and I managed to get most of it finished at home – the folding the square and stitching it up is magic. I’m finding it extremely addictive and quite therapeutic – there is a meditative quality to it.

My next project is a sampler. I have been busy checking out pinterest for a colour palette and thinking about layout and stitch types. Hence the purchase of the book in the above photos – I needed some kind of stitch dictionary (I did look for an online source, but I couldn’t really find what I was looking for).

 

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February 10, 2015 · 3:27 pm

Knitting Again!

Swatches and the start of new projects

Swatches and the start of new projects

I’ve been able to get some knitting done while watching television (this series).

I have swatched and started working on the February Fitted Pullover (again – you might remember I have tried this once before). The yarn is Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK in colour Tease.

I have also swatched and started knitting Hermione’s Everyday Socks. This is yarn I bought from the Melbourne Art Gallery markets (Hawthorn Cottage Yarns).

I suspect progress will be slow.

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February 3, 2015 · 4:18 pm

A Work in Progress

Some finished blocks!

Some finished blocks!

I finally found some motivation to get on with my sampler quilt. Both of my girls were really keen to make pencil cases in the holidays and I think a simple sewing project reignited my interest in sewing.

I have decided that I am going to quilt each block independently – quilting as you go – like here. I’m hoping this approach has two advantages; first, it is physically easier to maneuver around my sewing machine and secondly, it will just feel less overwhelming.

 

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January 14, 2015 · 2:19 pm

2014 in Review

Sewwitty's 2014

Sewwitty’s 2014

This year I finished a few sampler blocks – but not the entire quilt, two wraps (Denim Wrap and Hitchiker), a pair of socks and learnt how to crochet.

This year my New Year’s resolution was to do less and just be – several people I know have terminal illnesses and I think it might be time to just enjoy life without rushing from one thing to another always trying to do more, be more etc. This means I am hoping to spend more time pottering about with craft – but no rushing to the end I’m just going to enjoy the process.

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December 23, 2014 · 11:22 am

Progress Update

Sewwitty's Plain Sock

Sewwitty’s Plain Sock

My copy of Downton Abbey series 5 arrived, which meant there was a lot of sitting on the sofa time knitting. I just love the costumes …

I have turned the heel, picked up stitches and now I am decreasing back to the original number. I always feel that I am almost finished when I get to this point.

Sewwitty's Pineapple block

Sewwitty’s Pineapple block

I’ve also finished three of the above blocks! I’ve worked out that it is better to do a little bit, go off and do something else, a little bit more etc.

 

 

 

 

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December 22, 2014 · 10:41 am

A Life in Stitches – Rachael Herron

A Life in Stitches

A Life in Stitches – Rachael Herron

I like what I am going to call craft memoirs – like this one or this one – I read about A Life in Stitches somewhere (ravelry maybe) and ordered it from the book depository.

Here is the description …

In these 20 heartfelt essays, Rachael Herron celebrated romance novelist by day, 911 dispatcher by night, and founder of the hugely popular blog Yarnagogo.com shows how when life unravels there’s always a way to knit it back together again, many times into something even better. Honest, funny, and full of warmth, Herron’s tales, each inspired by something she knit or something knit for her, will speak to anyone who has ever picked up a pair of needles. From her very first sweater (a hilarious disaster, to say the least) to the yellow afghan that caused a breakup (and, ultimately, a breakthrough), every piece has a moving story behind it. This beautifully crafted and candid collection is perfect for the knitter who loves to read and the reader who loves to knit.

This is a very personal account of knitting and various different life events – some sad and some funny. I found it entertaining, fascinating, thought provoking and occasionally sad. I’m quite nosy I like to know details about people’s lives – not in a malicious way I’m just interested in how people live. Accordingly, I found this glimpse into Ms Herron’s life compelling.

Another review …

http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingmemoir/fr/A-Life-In-Stitches.htm

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December 18, 2014 · 2:14 pm

Visiting

Bits and Pieces

Bits and Pieces

I went away for the weekend to Melbourne –  very decadent. While there, I visited my favourite shop L’uccello. The fat quarters in the above pictures are from there – I had to include the bag in the photo because it is such fun.

The yarn is from Hawthorn Cottage Yarns – they had a stall at the markets at the art gallery.

I have quite a few ideas – now I just have to get on and make something.

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