Winter Wonderland Weekend

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  Mine was pretty good. . . we did get a few inches of snow this weekend.  When Winter comes, I always get into a knitting kind of mood.  I went through my yarn stash, and found a beautiful pearl gray wool that I had purchased from Halycon Yarns last winter.  I decided to turn this beautiful wool into a slouch hat.  I have a basic pattern in my head, and I just know it will keep my ears toasty warm.  I will keep you posted as I get this project started.

I also finished the little Reticello piece.  After I stitched the square stitches and the bullion stitches, it was time to do some drawn thread work.  To secure the linen after withdrawing the threads, I stitched an overcast stitch over one guide thread.

The edging could have been neater in my opinion, but it wasn't completely horrible for a practice piece.  Next it was time to work the buttonhole stitches.  This part was pretty simple for me, as it was just needle lace technique.

After the buttonhole flower, it was time to add some satin stitches.  Casa Erba provides a graph pattern which made it easy to stitch the design.

I withdraw some more threads, and hemstitched them into groups of four.

The last part of the tutorial was to add an alternating stem stitch around the square, which I did.  I also added some buttonhole stitches. . . I think I will add a needle lace edging to this in the future. I can't wait to do more of this technique, which is why I gave in and ordered a Reticello book from Lacis over the weekend.  lol  I would like to give a big thank you to Casa Erba for providing this tutorial and pattern.

I also did some work on the Schwalm Sampler. . . I finished it, and have it soaking right now.  After it is laundered, I will use the sewing machine to secure the edges and will finally be able to frame it.

Well, it's about time to work on that hat. . . Michigan winters are very cold, so the sooner I get started, the sooner I will have a toasty warm head!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!

'Til Tomorrow

Happy Stitches!