Little Socks

Back at the end of June I mentioned that I was going to knit myself a pair of Turkish Bed Socks, partly because I wanted to try the new and interesting construction.

Turkish Bed Socks

Turkish Bed Socks

(Sorry for the bad picture. The camera had a lot of trouble with the really dark yarn.)

The pattern was interesting, but having to do mattress stitch after the heel and then casting-on and picking up more stitches before working down the foot was… well, a pain. Trying to do mattress stitch while riding the train was impossible.

Turkish Bed Socks on my foot

Turkish Bed Socks on my foot

The resulting sock does fit well (better than other anklets I’ve made), but I still feel the pattern is just too fiddly. And, I prefer fingering-weight yarn knit at a tighter gauge. Unfortunately, it would take too much work to adjust this pattern for a more standard sock gauge.

As for the yarn, I used Knit Picks Comfy Fingering in Blackberry, a very dark purple. I’ve used it before, both in fingering weight and worsted, and I do like it. However, I know that at this loose gauge these socks won’t last long. Still, they are cute and will keep my toes warm at bedtime, at least for a little while.

2 Comments | Posted in Knitting | Tagged , ,

Santa’s Not Journeying

Thank goodness Christmas is still so far away! I am not making much progress on Santa’s Journey Stocking.

Santa's Journey Stocking - wip

Santa’s Journey Stocking – wip

I am really pleased with how it is turning out, though. I’m regretting using aida, as I knew I would. But, really, it still looks great.

So, I’m asking you to keep me honest and motivated. If you haven’t seen me post about the stocking in a week or two, send me a note and remind me to get to work on it. I really, really want to get it done for Christmas this year. I also have two other small projects planned as Christmas gifts, so I really need to get to work!

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Warm Ears

We’re in the middle of a heat wave? Well, let’s crochet a winter hat!

Chullito

Chullito

As you can see, the little man is in training to become a sad etsy boyfriend one day. The pattern is Chullito by Erika Neitzke, and is available for free on her website here. The yarn is Knit Picks Billow in colour Gosling (and brown-ish grey), which has an interesting thick and thin texture. I’m not really sure how I feel about it. It is a very soft yarn, and was easy to work with, but I’m not overly fond of yarn that changes thicknesses. Still, crocheting with it produced a really nice texture. If I found the right pattern, I would probably use Billow again.

More Chullito goodness.

More Chullito goodness.

I have a ball of Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton, which is a similar thick and thin cotton yarn. I made it into a very ugly cloche-style hat that I have since ripped out. I think it will make another really fabulous Chullito.

In other news, Kim M of Wisdom with Needle and Thread is having a fabulous giveaway to celebrate having 100 followers. Check it out here.

Wisdom with Needle and Thread Giveaway

Wisdom with Needle and Thread Giveaway

1 Comment | Posted in Crochet | Tagged ,

Dragon Scales

For the first time in quite a while, I’ve found myself not being particular interested in stitching. The little man is home for summer vacation, and it is just too hot and humid, even with the a/c on all day. But, I pulled myself together and did a bit more on Canvaswork Dragon.

Canvaswork Dragon, designed by Dragon Dreams (WIP)

Canvaswork Dragon, designed by Dragon Dreams (WIP)

I’m going to have to make a trip over to my LNS to look for some fibres to finish it up. I wanted to use PTB for the horns on his face, but it is way too thin. I’m also no longer sure about what to use for the interior of the wing and for part of the border. I think I need some time to play with some fibres.

Ornament SAL – Don’t forget: this month’s check in day is July 31st. That’s just over two weeks away. I’m nearly done (amazing!), how are you doing?

5 Comments | Posted in Canvaswork | Tagged , ,

TUSAL – July 2013

Ack! In all the “excitement” of the storm, blackout, and return of power, I totally forgot about the TUSAL.

TUSAL bits and pieces

TUSAL bits and pieces

Here is this month’s collection of ORTs. I’ve been busy!

Stitching pictures tomorrow!

1 Comment | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged ,

Rain, Montreal and Candy Canes

You may or may not have heard, but Toronto was hit by a very bad storm on Monday evening. (This was very near our street. We are up a little hill, and this is the road that runs by it.)  Our power went out at about 6pm on Monday, and didn’t return until around 3pm on Tuesday, and our internet was out until early this morning. But, the a/c is back on, the fridge is restocked, and right now we are bracing ourselves for the possibility of another thunderstorm this evening. I’ve got my fingers crossed that it won’t be anywhere near as bad.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal

So, what have I been up to? Well, at the beginning of the month I went to Montreal for a wedding. We had a lovely time, and really enjoyed the train trip there and back. I did manage to get some stitching and knitting done, and I will share pictures soon. Unfortunately, one of our two cameras broke while we were away, and that has delayed some of my picture taking and processing.

Just before the blackout, I finished up this little piece:

Candy Canes, designed by Mill Hill

Candy Canes, designed by Mill Hill

It is Mill Hill’s Candy Canes, and is from the 2011 Winter Holiday collection. I stitched it as per the chart, although I did mange to get some of my beads facing in a different direction. I have no idea how it happened! I think I shouldn’t be watching my archaeology class lectures on Coursera while I’m beading!

Yesterday, sans internet and power, I spent quite a bit of time working on this month’s ornament for the Ornament SAL. All I will say about it is that it has something to do with a dragon. Surprise! lol!

I’ll have more pictures to share over the next couple of days, assuming tonight’s storm isn’t too bad.

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day! Become a Canadian for a day–eat some poutine and Canadian bacon, say “eh” a  lot, and apologize when someone bumps into you. 😉

Canada Flag and Mountains_small

Image courtesy of Stock Exchange.

1 Comment | Posted in Site News |