Zentangle

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Heather

Back in spring I learned about a new (to me, anyway) doodling/drawing technique called Zentangle.

My first Zentangle

The basic ideas is that you take a shape, usually a square, divide it up into smaller sections, and then draw “tangles” inside them. The tangles are patterns that have been created by fellow Zentanglers. Simple, fun, fast, and it doesn’t require you to be an artist. And believe me, I’m not artist. Best of all, the only things you really need paper and pen.

Latest Zentangle

Since my artistic ability is all but non-existent, I haven’t made very many. But, I have enjoyed my little experiments. I’ll be taking a short class on Zentangles in October, as part of the Creativ Festival. Until then, I’ll just continue to play around and have fun.

Halloween Zentangle

If you are interested in learn more, check out the Zentangle blog, the Tangle Patterns site (full of hundreds of free tangle patterns), or check out the video below.


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Goodbye MLI

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Heather

Yesterday afternoon it was announced on the Told in a Garden Facebook page that Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum had passed away.

I don’t know how long MLI (as she is known to fans) had been designing. I do know that I discovered her pretty soon after I took up cross stitch, and it was her designs along with those of Teresa Wenzter that really gave me the stitching bug.

Wedding, Lavender and Lace

I’ve stitched her The Wedding twice, as well as her Madonna and Child Christmas freebie (sadly, no pictures). I’ve had her Santa of the Forest was a WIP for years, and there are many more charts sitting in my stash waiting for their day under the needle. And while some of her more recent charts haven’t been particularly well received, I know that her designing talent will be missed by me and many other stitchers. I wish her a peaceful rest, and offer my condolences to her friends and family.

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Theme-a-licious – Compass Rose Silks

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Heather

Time for a Theme-a-licious update. This month I’m working on Teresa Wentzler’s Cutwork Compass Rose because I’d like to challenge myself by doing more hardanger/cutwork. And, I think it is coming along nicely.

Cutwork Compass Rose, designed by Teresa Wentzler (WIP)

I just managed to finish up all the parts that required the Honey Bronze Gloriana silk before running out. I really cut it close, partly due to a mistake I made earlier. I’m so glad I squeaked through with enough though, since Gloriana is $8/skein up here. Yikes!

The next step listed in the pattern is the cutwork. However, I’m planning to just do the borders for the cutwork and then move on to the specialty stitches that fill in the other areas. Once that is all done, I’ll come back to the cutwork. Since I always work in hand, I’d much prefer to keep the fabric as intact as possible for as long as possible.

I don’t think, though, that I will meet my goal of finishing this up this month. I just got part 2 of Lizzie*Kate’s Very Scary, and I’m happily working on it right now. Check out my Twitter feed for a wee picture.

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Lotus Heart

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Heather

Another sock finish!

Lotus Heart Socks, from Sleepy Eyes Knitting

The pattern is Lotus Heart Socks by Gina House of Sleepy Eyes Knitting. The pattern is available through Ravelry, and is on sale for US$3 until August 21st. The yarn is Dye-Version’s Bamboo Stretch Sock in colourway Sky. I don’t think it is the best yarn/pattern match, but I’ve been wanting to try this particular yarn for ages (I have five more skeins of it, in different colours!). Dye-Version is actually located not very far from me, and I love to support homegrown businesses.

So, my verdict on the yarn is that it is lovely, heavy, and very squishy. It stretches nicely when knitting, but not too much. The finished fabric has a lot of drape, which one would expect from bamboo, but holds it shape surprisingly well, thanks to the elastic.

As for the pattern. Well, I like the finished sock well enough. The cuff is pretty, and was interesting to knit. It is a bit bulky though, and wouldn’t fit nicely under close fitting jeans (which I don’t wear, anyway). The pattern itself is a bit confusing. I had to rewrite the lace pattern for the leg in order for it to make sense to me. Once I did, though, it was smooth sailing and I really look forward to wearing these when the weather gets cold.

To pass the time before I can cast on the next pair of Summer of Socks socks (the Ravelry knit-along I’m taking part in), I got out a pair of socks I started in February. I ran into a problem with the cuff being too tight due to the technique being used (applied i-cord for all you knitters). So, the other day I decided to rip back rather than to continue to hope that my high arch/ankle would get smaller. I increased 10 stitches evenly across the last row, and then did the applied i-cord cuff again. Success! Now I just need to knit the second sock and find two wee buttons to sew on the back.

Wimbledon Sock, from Ros Clark

The pattern is Wimbledon by Ros Clark, and it is available as a p/hop pattern here. The yarn is Berroco Comfort sock in colourways White and Dunedin. (p/hop means pennies per hour of pleasure, and is a fund raiser for Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders.)

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Russet Dragonflies

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Heather

Goodness me, it sure seems to be the summer of old projects, doesn’t it?

Dragonfly Scissor Fob

This is the scissor fob/biscornu from the class taught at Gitta’s Getaway back in 2010. It was designed by Kathrin Elison, who runs (with her mother) my local needlework shop. Obviously, it is still a work in progress. 😉

I finished up the stitching for the accompanying needlecase ages ago, but I’ve never put it together. I suppose that is partly because neither dragonflies nor the colour are particularly my thing. None the less, the finishes piece is very pretty, thanks to the lovely fibres and variety of stitches.

I think once I get the scissor fob done, I’ll be more motivated for sew up the needlecase. I do already have fabric picked out for it. I just need to get inspired to sew!

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Shoulders and Toes

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Heather

Thank you very much for all the lovely comments on Bargello Basics. I often second guess myself when changing colours in a design, but I really think I got it right with that one.

Today I have two knitting finishes to share. The first is Country Walk Cape by Suzanne Sullivan (pattern available on Ravelry).

Country Walk Cape, designed by Suzanne Sullivan (unblocked)

The yarn is Mary Maxim Starlette in colour light gray, and it took nearly every scrap of three balls. I still need to find a nice button for the closure, and it also needs to be washed and properly blocked. It is just delightful, though, and will make a nice cape to put over my shoulders when sitting outside in the early fall.

I made a few minor changes while knitting this, and found a couple of small errors in the pattern. All my notes can be found on my Ravelry project page.

The second project I finished is my Herringbone Eyelet Socks, which I began back in March when I went on my cruise.

Herringbone Eyelet Socks, designed by Anna Belinda

They are knit from super stretchy Cascade Fixation, which is why they look a little small. The colourway is Purple (surprise!), and the pattern is available for free. I did only two repeats on the leg since I like short socks.

One the needles right now are another pair of socks (surprise!) that I am knitting as part of a summer-long knit-along with prizes, a very simple scarf knit on the bias using some fabulous linen yarn, and a crocheted throw rug for the kitchen. The Isle of Trucks sweater has been returned to  its knitting bag, to await the arrival of more yarn.

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Basically Bargello

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Heather

I love trying new to me needlework techniques, and I especially love it when they are simple and fabulous when finished.

Bargello Basics, designed by Teresa Wentzler

This is Bargello Basics by Teresa Wentzler, a class piece from the 2009 Creativ Festival. Sadly, that was the year Teresa Wentzler was ill and unable to attend. I wasn’t signed up for the class, since she was using wool, which I am very allergic too. However, a friend of mine did sign up for the class (which was actually cancelled, but Teresa mailed everyone their kits), and was kind enough to lend the chart to me. (Thanks, Christine!)

I took the samples of Appleton wool from the kit and tried to figure out DMC equivalents to them. The sections in mine that are in shades of blue were actually shades of orangy-red in the original design (you can see Christine’s finished piece here). If you are interested in my colour conversion, send me a note.

Overall, I’m pleased with the finished piece, although I think I would have got better coverage if I had used wool. Four strands of DMC does a pretty good job, though, especially from a distance. (Six strands was too heavy, in my opinion.)

So, that is another WIP done, and another TW finished too. I’ve still got lots more to go though, and, of course, there are two more designs that use wool that I haven’t even got in my collection.

 

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