Cross Stitch and Crochet: Very Hyggeligt

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Heather

I’m sure you’ve heard about the new trend sweeping the world. People everywhere have discovered the Danish idea of hygge–the cozy, homey way of living. Hygge brings to mind tidy spaces full of soft textures and wood, burning candles, good friends, and favourite hobbies. Around here we’ve been trying to live very hyggelit for years without knowing there was a term for it.

Hygge has become so popular that it is even seeping into the crafting world. Scheepjes, the Danish yarn company, is running a crochet-along (CAL) called Hygge. And you are going to love it! It combines crochet and cross stitch into a beautiful shawl.

Hygge CAL swatch

I’m a bit behind with the CAL. So far I’ve finished the swatch (above) and the first six or so rows of the shawl. Essentially, a base of single crochet (or double crochet for those who use UK crochet terms) is made and then cross stitch is done on this fabric. The base yarn is Scheepjes Stone Washed (an acrylic/cotton blend) and the cross stitch is done with Scheepjes Catona (a cotton).

Hygge Rainbow Kit

You can find out all the details and get the free pattern from the Scheepjes site right here. Even if you aren’t interested in making a Hygge shawl for yourself, be sure to check out the teaser pictures of the project. Right now I’m working on the rainbow kit, and eventually I will also make one using the Girls Night In kit.

So, tell me, have you ever combined cross stitch and crochet? Have you ever combined any two of your hobbies like this? I’d love to hear all about it! Please leave a comment below.

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WIP Wednesday – What I’ve Been Stitching

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Heather

Hello, Stitchy Friends. It is time for another Work-In-Progress Wednesday. I may not have been posting much lately but I have been doing my best to keep up with my stitching.

Joyful World SAL, designed by Maja Matyas of Snowflower Diaries (WIP)

 

I’ve made a bit of progress on the October square for the Joyful World SAL. I adore this piece, but the fabric is so big and hard to work on. Still, it will get done, just a little behind schedule.

Speaking of schedules, I’m doing pretty good with Victoria Sampler’s O Canada! Sampler. I want to be able to finish it up on or before Canada. (July 1st for you non-Canadians.)

O Canada! Sampler by Victoria Sampler (WIP)

There is some pulled work beneath the letters in the upper section, but it is hard to see since it is essentially tone-on-tone. I’ve got a bunch more to do at the bottom, and I also still need to chart out the 150 for the upper section. Thank goodness I still have a few months until my self-imposed deadline.

Canadian Beauty, designed by Joan Elliott (WIP)

Joan Elliott’s Canadian Beauty is also coming along nicely. I was in a rush to finish her head because I was afraid I cut her fabric too small. But, nope, it is just right. Thank goodness! The fabric is a beautiful piece of Meadow from Enchanting Lair.

I’ve been doing a lot more crochet and knitting than stitching lately, though, and tomorrow I’d like to share something special and very interesting with you.

Smalls SAL – Don’t forget, the next check-in for the Smalls SAL takes place on Friday, March 31st. I can’t wait to see what you have stitched. 😉

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Patience

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Heather

I feel a little like patience is the word of the month around here. So, February’s section of Stitchrova’s Quotes to Live By SAL was the perfect thing to work on.

Quotes to Live By -Part 2, designed by Stitchrovia

It is stitched as per the pattern on white Lugana using DMC threads.

Quotes to Live By, designed by Stitchrovia (WIP)

And here it is as a whole, so far. As you can see, I did go back and redo the border. Everything is working out fine, finally!

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Staying Afloat

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Heather

Hello, Stitchy Friends!

I know things have been very quiet around here, and I am very sorry about that. Think of me like a swan–calm where you can see me, but paddling away furiously underneath. I’m working on several things for the blog, including a 14 day series that I hope to unveil before the end of April. In the meantime, keep stitching your smalls! The next Smalls SAL check-in takes place on Friday, March 31st.

Oh, before I forget: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️?

Lucky Day, designed by Mill Hill

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Stitching from My Stash

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Heather

Hello, Stitchy Friends!

I think I mentioned earlier that I am taking part in the latest incarnation of Stitch From Stash. It is now organized through a Facebook group and headed by Stephanie Kyne. Each month’s check-in is a Facebook event page, and it is so much fun to scroll through the pictures of all the finished projects!

So far I’m doing pretty good. I’ve set my monthly budget at $25, and I’m keeping track of finishes to earn a little extra credit. I’ve calculated that I’ve spent $12.88 so far on stitching supplies this year (but please don’t ask about fabric or yarn or machine embroidery patterns…), and I’ve got $51.12 “banked”.

Along with my Smalls SAL finish for this month, I also stitched up a couple of other little designs. First is Butterfly, the little kit that Bucilla sent me. It is super cute and will make a great gift.

Butterfly, designed by Bucilla

It comes with fabric, floss, and the black plastic frame. I found both the fabric and floss to be of good quality, and the chart was clear and easy to stitch from. The finished design is lovely, but not quite the right shape for the frame, as you can see. The frame itself is okay, but it shows some marks on the front that aren’t very attractive.

My second finish is a cover kit from an old issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine. I think it dates back to 2013, although I haven’t been working on it quite that long. 😉

Country Diary Poppy, from The World of Cross Stitching magazine

The design doesn’t really seem to have a name, but it is associated with The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. The kit included all the supplies–fabric, floss, card with aperture, and envelope. Sorting the floss was a little confusing, but it looks so lovely with all those red shades.

I’m hoping to spend more time working on larger projects in March, but one never knows what the future will bring!

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Smalls SAL – February 2017 Check-In

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Heather

Hello, Smalls Stitchers! It is check-in day again! February is such a short month, and it feels like almost no time has passed at all since the last check-in. In fact, I almost didn’t get my small done in time!

Before I share my small, I just wanted to update you on the link list situation. The company I was using for the link list has discontinued their yearly subscription and increased their monthly subscription price significantly, meaning my yearly cost for the link list was going to grow a lot. So, I am trying a similar link list product from a more cost effective source. It works pretty much the same way as the old one, but the form will look different. It is still secure (your email address will never be displayed or shared; it is just to help limit spammers and give me a way to contact you if there is a problem or you win the year-end draw). If you have any comments, concerns, or problems with the new link list, please email me. I’m always happy to help.

Now, on to my small!

Holiday Harmony Trumpet, designed by Mill Hill

I’ve finally finished up the Mill Hill Holiday Harmony series! I stitched the first one, the harp, some time in 2007 or 2008 (I can’t find it in my records nor do I seem to have a picture of it), and the other three during 2015 and 2016. And, finally, Trumpet is finished! Yay! It is stitched as per the chart using the materials in the kit. I can’t wait to hang them all together on my Christmas tree.

What have you stitched this month? I can’t wait to see! Head down to the bottom of this post and add your link to the new link list. It will remain open to new entries until about midnight on Friday, March 3rd at about midnight Eastern time. So, if you are like me and running a little behind this month, don’t worry! You’ve still got some time.

Please remember to use the permalink for your Smalls entry and to use a picture of your small as your thumbnail.

Please consider also posting your small to Instagram and/or Twitter using #smallssal2017.

Next Month

The next Smalls SAL check-in will take place on Friday, March 31st.

Thank you again, very much, for taking part in the Smalls SAL!



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WIP Wednesday – Quotes

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Heather

Hello, stitchy friends! It has been a while since I posted on WIP (work-in-progress) Wednesday. I have been stitching, but not as much as I would like because my medial epicondylitis (aka golfer’s elbow) has been flaring up quite badly. I’ve found some great exercise videos on YouTube though, and I am on the mend again. (I would go to a physio place, but there isn’t one near us…)

Quotes to Live By, designed by Emma Congdon of Stitchrovia (WIP)

Anyway, on to the stitching! I’ve been working almost exclusively on Quotes to Live By from Stitchrovia. It is a nine-month long SAL, and the proceeds are being donated to mind, a UK mental health charity. You can find the pattern for the first part right here.

Close-Up of a portion of part 1 of Quotes to Live By, designed by Emma Congdon of Stitchrovia (WIP)

I’m stitching it as per the pattern using DMC floss and white lugana. I was going to wait until I had progressed further before doing the border just to make sure everything lines up, but I decided to be brave. 😉

Smalls SAL

Hey, did you know that Friday is Smalls SAL check-in day? February is a short month, so check-in day is a little bit earlier than usual. Don’t worry if you aren’t ready yet–the link list will stay open for more than a week.

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