Now that autumn has arrived, I've been inspired to stitch something for Halloween. I found a small Bent Creek kit that I'd forgotten I'd had -- Hello, My Name is Boo. I stitched it in about a day and even did the little bit of finishing needed. The kit included the pre-made pillow, buttons and tag. So it was just a matter of sewing it up, and I was done.
Because Boo was such a small piece, it didn't completely satisfy my Halloween urge. So I pulled out a long-abandoned UFO -- Just Nan's Girls' Night Out. There was very little I had left to do: one over-one face, a little backstitching, the witches' hair, and the broom bristles.
As I was working on this, I was wondering why I had put it aside. Probably something else caught my attention. But I was really enjoying it, and feel a sense of accomplishment that I turned a UFO into a finished piece. Well, finished in terms of the stitching. I don't know if I'll do anything with it. Ri
ght now it is part of my Halloween display of cross-stitch that I hang on my shelves.
A few weeks back, I decided to treat myself by having a couple of my favorite cross-stitch finishes framed. Here's Leaping Cat from La-D-Da stitched in 2005. I really enjoyed working on this. The cat is so cute. It was done on 36 ct Edinborough linen in Sand with Sampler Threads. I stitched the alphabet in Tarnished Gold instead of Gold Leaf as the chart called for so it would show up better. Now I have to decide where to hang it. It's sitting on my shelf for now.The other piece that's being framed is one of the first I ever stitched on linen. Can't wait to see this one. The matting and frame that Don at WVAS chose are perfect and will look gorgeous.
Related post: To the Finish
Introducing....my first pair of knitted socks. These are the Eiffel Tower socks from the first Brooklyn Sock Knit-a-long, finished about 3 weeks ago. Yarn: Shelridge Farms Soft Touch 100% Wool Ultra Fingering Weight in Pumpkin Started: June
Finished: September
Loved knitting with this wool and the Eiffel Tower pattern was fun to work on.
Alison has finished one sock in her pair, which uses the same yarn but in Azure. While we were stitching, I often commented on her nice, even stitches. I seem to knit loosely, especially with yarnovers, so my Eiffel Towers aren't as well defined as hers, in my opinion.
Second Brooklyn Sock Knit-a-long -- MacGiver style
We've also begun the second KAL. I chose the Elongated Corded Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. We're using Shibuiknits sock yarn. Mine are in Earth and Alison's are in Stone. It's quite soft and the colors are wonderful. I'm definitely going to use more of this.
We working toe-up with short row toes and heels. I considered turning the heel with a flap and gusset. But after trying the "class sock" in The Sensational Knitted Socks book, I decided against it. I understand the theory of picking up stitches for the gusset, but I couldn't execute it very well. I like short rows, so I'm sticking with that for now.
Now, why the MacGiver reference? Alison taught me a cast-on method using a crochet hook. When we got together to start this KAL, I couldn't find either of my crochet hooks. (I was going through a "can't find anything" phase; it's calmed down for now.) Ever resourceful, Alison suggested bending a paper clip into a hook and using that. Voila! It worked. I dubbed it MacGiver knitting since the problem was solved using an ordinary item. She also uncovered my crochet hooks; I had used them as bookmarks in the sock book.
Also on my needles...
I started another pair of socks using Crystal Palace Panda Bamboo Wool in Seascape. Another soft, delicious yarn to work with. The pattern is Slipped Stitch Rib, also from Sensational Knitted Socks. It's a very easy pattern.
The pleasure of cross-stitch, for me, is in the process of stitching -- choosing a design, deciding on the fabric and fibers to use, watching the design take shape, and then seeing the final product. It's usually not my goal to frame a design or make it into something unless it's a gift.
Today's report includes three finishes: Chicken Wired, which was for the fun of it; Seaside Cottage, which is a gift; and Behold the Bee, which I finished stitching a couple of years ago but recently decided to have framed.
Chicken Wired by Whiskey Creek
I really enjoyed stitching this piece. The fox has such a mischievous expression and the "chicken wire" just makes the whole piece.
Here are the stats:
Started: July 8th
Completed: August 25th
Fabric: 28 ct. Chestnut linen
Fibers: DMC and Kreinick #4 braid for the chicken wire
Seaside Cottage by Elizabeth's Designs
Although I finished stitching this in July, I just picked up the framed piece from Tawny's yesterday. I didn't include the charms because I forgot to bring them with me when I dropped it off to be framed. I was planning to stitch them on before I handed it off. Even so, I'm very pleased with how this turned out and think Janet will love it.
Started: April
Completed: July
Fabric: 32 ct. Storm Cloud from the Blended Needle
Fibers: DMC, Weeks Dye Works
Behold the Bee by Chessie and Me
This is one of my favorite designs from one of my favorite designers. It was my New Year's Day project for 2004. The Metrostitchers have a tradition of starting a new project on New Year's day, regardless of how many WIPs you may have. Although I completed the stitching a couple of years ago, I decided to treat myself and have it framed. I think it deserves the honor.
Begun: Jan. 1, 2004
Completed: February 21, 2004
Fabric: 32 ct Vintage Nutmeg from Lakeside Lines
Fibers: Sampler Threads
Now that autumn has arrived, I've been inspired to stitch something for Halloween. I found a small Bent Creek kit that I'd forgotten I'd had -- Hello, My Name is Boo. I stitched it in about a day and even did the little bit of finishing needed. The kit included the pre-made pillow, buttons and tag. So it was just a matter of sewing it up, and I was done. 
ght now it is part of my Halloween display of cross-stitch that I hang on my shelves.
