Last exchange of 2016

I took part in a Christmas/Winter exchange at Friendly Stitchers and received these two beautiful ornaments and thread from Meg (Committed Stitcher).

Christmas/Winter exchange 2016 - Friendly Stitchers

In exchange I stitched The Drawn Thread's 'A Spot of Winter'. I had considered finishing it as a flat ornament or hanging ornament but felt it looked too large; so it was finished as a pillow. I replaced the snowflake charm with mistletoe as the charm I had was too large.

A Spot of Winter - The Drawn Thread
stitched on 32ct Smokey Pearl Belfast with recommended threads

A scarf and other knitting

I decided I wanted a simple, long scarf so I knitted a single rib scarf in Anny Blatt fine kid wool. It took longer to knit up than I thought it would but it was perfect for working on in the evenings as I didn't have to concentrate too hard on what I was doing.

Single rib scarf using one each of 2.75mm and 6.5mm needles
Anny Blatt fine kid wool, Carmin

I also wanted a simple sweater that would knit up quickly so I'm knitting this sweater in Anny Blatt fine kid, Genepi. The back is almost finished. As I am a tight knitter, I am using 6.5mm rather than the recommended 6mm knitting needles for this jumper.

Jumper using Anny Blatt fine kid, Genepi on 6.5mm needles

Needless to say with all this knitting, I'm doing very little stitching at the moment. However, as my Granny used to say 'A change is as good as a rest' and I find it hard to sit in the evenings and not be doing something with my hands.

My first Christmas exchange of 2016

Thursday morning was opening day for Needlecraft Haven's Christmas ornament exchange.

I love the excitement of opening my packet to discover what is inside and as you can see I was not disappointed. I received this lovely snowman ornament from Angi. 

 I stitched Prairie Schooler's 'The Night Before Christmas' for Lindsay.

The Night before Christmas - Prairie Schooler
Design taken from CrossStitch Collection magazine
Stitched on 32ct Belfast Natural linen using recommended DMC threads

Some 'finishing' finishes

I got my sewing machine out some days ago to complete some stitching as ornaments. Two of them I can't show yet as they are part of Christmas/Winter exchanges. I will show them when they have been received and opened by their recipients. In the meantime ...

I have finished the stitching I received from Joyce in the Friendly Stitcher's Unfinished exchange. I am pleased with this finish. Thank you once again Joyce for such a pretty design.

Autumn design - Unfinished exchange from Joyce now finished

For my youngest niece I decided to finish this design as a hanging ornament so that she has something soft to hold/squeeze (she likes her soft toys). I had thought to put cording around the edge but decided against it as she still likes to pull things apart. No point in putting temptation in her way.

Sweet Hugs Gingerbread Boy - Keepsake Stitches

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and DMC alternatives

Until next time, enjoy your stitching or whichever crafts have you engrossed at the moment.

Miniature hexagon quilt finally finished

I feel as though I have taken forever to complete this miniature quilt but it is now finally finished. I am pleased with the end result even though I can find fault with my work. My next task is to find a suitable wall hanger for it.

Design: Josette, found in Magic Patch hors serie, no.91, 
'15 quilts miniatures'
Fabric, Moda charm pack  'Icicle kisses'

One ball of wool = one finished scarf

Once I got into the pattern on this scarf, I didn't want to put my knitting down. So here is the completed scarf. It looks shorter than the model but I had the recommended tension. My sister will be happy with this length as she didn't want it too long. I just need to buy more wool so that I can knit one for myself.

Albertine - Louisa Harding
knitted with Louisa Harding Pittura wool

A stitched finish

I finally finished stitching Country Cottage Needleworks' 'Silent Night' at the weekend. I'm considering mounting it on an eight inch canvas frame that I have. I love the colour combinations in this design.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

Another finish - Pansy Cameo Square

As some of you will know, I love Just Nan's designs and when I decided to stitch something for a birthday card, I knew I would find something suitable in her designs.

This card is for an 80th birthday and the recipient loves pansies. It's an ideal match, I think.

Pansy Cameo Square - Just Nan
Fabric: 28ct Cashel White linen
Threads and beads: As listed in design except for
Lavender Hex beads which were replaced with French knots

One ball of wool = one scarf

Last week my sister and I were in a lovely little wool shop, Tricot & Co, in Mirepoix. She fell in love with some yarn and a scarf pattern so I agreed to knit it for her. I bought this ball of Louisa Harding wool ...

... to knit this scarf.

I have until the end of the year to complete it and based on my sample knit of the pattern, it will take me that long. It will be a pick up and put down project for when I'm in the mood for knitting.

Back to my stitching

I haven't spent much time stitching over the past month as my sister was visiting. We spent a lot of time drinking tea and talking and it was great to have so much time together.

Before she arrived, I had continued to stitch my tree border on 'Alpine Seasons' and this is where I've now got to. These winter trees on the left are quite slow.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 10 October 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

Yesterday, I started to stitch the church on CCN's 'Silent Night'. I love how the colours work on this fabric. I hope to finish this by next Monday. We shall see.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

More Alpine Seasons progress

Last week, I spent most of my stitching time on Alpine Seasons Garden and now I am approximately halfway around the mountains section.
I'm not sure if it is coincidence or not but since I am stitching with silk threads, I find that my hands get very dry. I don't have this problem with DMC. Has anyone else experienced this?

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 12 September 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

I missed last Wednesday's night in Needlecraft Haven's Parlour but I managed to set aside some time for CNN's 'Silent Night' at the weekend. I finished the two smaller trees and added the snowflakes. Tonight I plan to start stitching the church.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

Alpine Seasons Garden progress

It's been months since I had this design out. I worked pretty solidly on it during the past week and went from this

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 29 August 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

to this by Monday morning. The two photos made me realise that I had made more progress than I had realised. It's slow going but I'll get there. I'm looking forward to the day this will be framed and hanging in my living room.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine

as at 5 September 2016

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

On Wednesday evening I stitched in Needlecraft Haven's Parlour and made some progress on CNN's 'Silent Night'. I finished the large tree and added its leaves and star.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads