WIP Wednesday – Top Done

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Heather

After a week break, my WIP (work-in-progress) Wednesday update is back!

All Hearts Stocking Come Home Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

All Hearts Stocking Come Home Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

I’ve now completed all the way up to the top of All Hearts Come Home for Christmas Stocking from Dimensions. Don’t worry. I still have a ton of stitching to do. 😉 But, now I can work downwards in a logical manner. I’d like to say I’m going to aim to have the two pillars that are on either side of the door done by next week, but I know that’s not going to happen. It’s March Break right now, and my stitching time is down to a few stolen minutes each day. Still, any progress is good progress and there is still a chance I will have this done for this Christmas.

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Scissor Case Exchange

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Heather

A few months back I joined the Embroiderer’s Association of Canada and became part of the online guild, Virtual Threads. We “meet” online, through a Yahoo Group, and do things like share our needlework progress, take online classes together, and do exchanges. The most recent exchange was for scissor cases.

Scissor Case Exchange 2016 - Virtual Threads

Scissor Case Exchange 2016 – Virtual Threads

This is the fabulous scissor case I received, from Sharon M. I love the little fishes! They are so cute. And the notecard is special too. It is from an EAC notecard set, and features the work of Carol Storie (who is both a Virtual Threads member, and a teacher from whom I’ve taken a class).

I haven’t finished my scissor case for the exchange yet. But, once I do, I’ll be sure to share it with all of you.

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Sock Madness 10 – Round 1

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Heather

Even though I have a pile of stitching projects that need to be worked on, for the past few days I’ve been concentrating on my knitting. I’m taking part in Sock Madness yet again, a speed sock knitting competition run through a group on Ravelry. (Details here.) I never get very far before I drop out, only to round 3 or 4, but I’m happy with that.

SlipStripeSprial, designed by Mylene Pijpers

SlipStripeSprial, designed by Mylene Pijpers

The first round socks are SlipStripeSpiral by Mylene Pijpers. They make use of the toe from Cat Bordhi’s book Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters, and her sweet tomato heel from the book of the same name.

SlipStripeSprial - stitch pattern close-up

SlipStripeSprial – stitch pattern close-up

I used one of my favourite yarns, Panda Cotton (a bamboo/cotton/elastic blend). I had hoped to be able to finish the socks using only leftover scraps for the pink, but I ran out partway up the second leg. Thank goodness I had a full ball of it still in my stash. 😉

With this finish, I’ll be assigned a team and move on to round 2. (Round 1 is just the qualifying round.) With luck, and careful knitting, I’ll make it another couple of rounds before I have to drop out because of my poor elbow. And, I’ll have some lovely new socks to replace the ones that have developed holes this winter.

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Stitch for Syria – In The Mail

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Heather

Hello, Stitch Friends! Although my stitchy plate is overly full right now, I managed to finish up a second Stitch for Syria piece this weekend.

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch

It is stitch on 14 count aida using a pretty orange silk that was in my silk odds and ends drawer. It is possibly from a Dinky Dyes oops pack, and I don’t know.

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch

And here are both pieces, ready to wing their way to London and become part of a quilt that Concern International will be sending to Lebanon.

If you are interested in stitching your own Stitch for Syria piece, head over to Concern International’s website for all the details.

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Stitch for Syria

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Heather

Hello, Stitch Friends. I think I’m pretty late in discovering this, but I thought I would share just in case some of you have missed it. Concern Worldwide is a charity that works in many different countries, helping provide education, healthcare, and livelihood training to people in need. One of their programs, based in Lebanon and mainly for Syrian refugees, focuses on teaching women needlework, which they can in turn sell to raise money to help their families.

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch

To raise awareness about this program, and to show support for the women, Concern has started the Stitch for Syria challenge. Head over to their website, grab the pattern and stitch it up. When you are done, mail it to the Concern Worldwide office in London. Once all the squares are received, they will be made into a quilt and sent to the training centre in Lebanon. (And, while you are at it, why not make a small cash donation too. Awareness works best when backed up with a little bit of money.)

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch (WIP)

Stitch for Syria, designed by Mr. X Stitch (WIP)

The design works up very quickly, and you can use those odds and ends of pretty thread you’ve been saving. I dug around in my random silk drawer and pulled out a couple of skeins I liked. For fabric, I grabbed two perfectly sized squares of aida that just happened to be sitting on top of a pile in my craft closet. It was meant to be. 😉

Regardless of what you think about the Syrian refugee situation, consider taking part in Stitch of Syria. This is about women getting together over needlework, and trying to make a little money to support their families. This is something we can all relate too.

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Beginners Guide to Knitting

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Heather

I know many of you are needleworkers only, but I also know that several of you are either avid knitters or interested in learning how to knit. I found this fabulous infographic that lays out the very basics of knitting.

beginners-guide-to-knitting-clippers-ireland-infographic

Thanks to Clippers Ireland for this great reference!

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WIP Wednesday – Spider Web

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Heather

Hello, Stitchy Friends! It is work-in-progress Wednesday again, and I hate to have to admit that I didn’t achieve any of my stitching goals this week. 🙁 I stitched a lot, but just not on the Christmas stocking.

Trick or Treat, designed by Enchanting Lair (WIP)

Trick or Treat, designed by Enchanting Lair (WIP)

I decided to put some time in on Enchanting Lair’s Trick Or Treat instead. I know, I know. But it was calling to me. I love all the over-dyed threads (WDW and CC), and I adore the fabric I am using (Enchanting Lair’s Purple Horizon). It is turning out to be a pretty quick stitch.

Round 1 Sock for Sock Madness 10

Round 1 Sock for Sock Madness 10

My other excuse is this sock. Sock Madness has started again, and I’ve spent the last day and a bit working on the qualifying sock. I’m going slow this year so I don’t hurt my hand again. Still, I’m enjoying myself and I really love how these colours work together. (I’m actually up to the heel now, but it is too dark to take a picture tonight. 😉 )

That brings me to Florentine Fancy. Thank you all very, very much for the great feedback on my colour choices. I’m feeling much more confident now, and I can’t wait to get some more perle cotton and get back to work on it. 😉

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