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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Falling Short of Gold

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Heather

Sadly, my Olympic Ravellenic dreams did not come true. I’ve run out of the main colour yarn for my Isle of Trucks sweater. I do have more coming, thank goodness, but it will be a while before it arrives.

Isle of Trucks sweater – WIP

There it is, up to the armpits. I took the time to weave in all the ends and seam the armpits, so it is looking pretty good. Sadly, I ran out of the blue yarn just a row or so before I could start the colour work that doesn’t require it. Oh well, I’d still need more for the collar, so there is no point thinking about it.

Thankfully, this project still qualifies for the Cast-On Mania Trap Shoot event, which just requires a project to be 1/3 complete. At about 3/4 done, I’m happy enough to enter it there. And the next time the Ravellenic Games roll around, I’ll make sure I’m better prepared.

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Very Scary Spoilers

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Heather

If you are working on the Lizzie*Kate mystery Very Scary and you don’t want any spoilers, don’t look any further!

An owl and a stamp?

Usually I’m not very keen on mysteries, since I am so darn picky! But I’ve wanted to stitch a Lizzie*Kate Halloween design for ages. (One day I will get around to getting Halloween Rules! or Boo Club!… maybe.)

Very Scary by Lizzie*Kate – Part 1

So, I splashed out on the whole kit – the fabric, WDW thread, the extra fabric for the freebie chart, everything. I caught the husband at a weak moment (he may  have been mostly asleep at the time…). And I’m so glad I did, because so far I’m really enjoying the design and I love the look that the over-dyed threads give.

It looks like Part 2 will have a verse, based on the teaser picture on the Lizze*Kate blog. Hopefully it will be something fun or scary. Either way, I can’t wait to stitch more!

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