Pinned Down

Good Morning!  The purple has been completed for a few days. . .I have it pinned, and on Sunday morning, I will unpin it, lightly steam it, and gift it to my mother-in- law for Valentine's Day.  I did put a simple edging around it, using DMC Pearl cotton size 12 in a silver color.  I also sewed some Swarvoski pearls onto it, and one large Freshwater pearl.  I also used some Ceylon white, size 15 delica seed beads, and crocheted them sporadically into netting.  I think they add a lovely touch to the silver thread.  Here a couple of photos:

I've also been working a bit on Reticello. . .just some practice.  It is very similar to Aemilia Ars, so I think sometime very soon, I will start a project.  To practice I'm using 32 count Belfast linen in cream, and for threads I used DMC Pearl cotton 12, and coton a broder size 25.  I'm enjoying the technique very much, and can't wait to start a project.  Here are a couple of snapshots of my practice cloth.

I'm also working on an Irish Crochet.cuff.  It is a bit more traditional looking, in color and style.  I don't have any photos of it, as of yet, but will take some very soon.  In the meantime, here is a picture of a pendant I made about three weeks ago,  I used Lizbeth thread, size 20, color Natural, and soft pink Toho seed beads, size 11/0, and a Rose quartz Briolette.  I like the way it came out.  It is not Irish Crochet, but a motif featured in a recent ebook I purchased.  I think the Octagon shape is interesting, don't you think?

I'm also planning some traditional Irish Crochet projects.  My eldest daughter decided that she would rather have a more modern bolero/ capelet, so all those lovely motifs that I was using are now up for grabs. . .and there are a lot of them!  I am contemplating on turning them into wedding items, such as handbags, maybe a veil, or bridal gloves.  A handbag would be easiest to start with and would still leave many lovely motifs.  I will keep you posted on this.  

Well I'm off to finish another heart, this time in blue and cream, to gift for Valentine's Day.  I hope you all have a wonderful day. 

'Till next time

Happy Stitches!

Books, books and a couple more books

Good Morning!  It's been awhile since I posted, and I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. The Holidays are a wonderful, yet stressful time of year.  We also added a move into the mix, which added a bit more stress and chaos, but we are all settled in now.

I did receive some lovely Christmas gifts, . .one of them arrived yesterday from Italy.  They are Reticello books by Giuliana Buonpadre.  The best thing about these book is that they have written instructions in English ( as well as Italian and French). The works featured in the books are lovely, and inspiring.  I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to learn Reticello. 

I did start stitching a learning sampler yesterday, but I haven't gotten very far.  Iwill share its progress when I get more done.  :-)

I also ordered a few more books on Armilia Ars from Lacis.  I purchased Corso Due,  Corso Tres, and Fiore.  The books are very well illustrated, and feature beautiful designs.  I managed to stitch a couple of projects over the Holidays.

I also found two amazing Turkish Oya books on Amazon.  The books were used, but in excellent condition, and very, very inexpensive.  I've made some jewelry pieces combining the techniques from the books, and Irish Crochet.  This choker is my latest piece, and was made using Lizbeth thread in sizes 20, and 40.  It is adorned using size11/0 Toho seed beads and a small rose quartz Briolette.  I will share my other pieces with you throughout the week.

 And, in honor of Valentine's Day, I am making a modern Irish Crochet heart.  The pattern is part of the beginner video course by Irish Crochet Lab, but can also be purchased separately at www.irishcrochetlab.com.  Here are some photos of it's progress, and I will share the finished piece when it is done.  It's a really beautiful and fun project.

What projects are you working on?  I hope to see you all this week and 

'Till next time

Happy Stitches!

Toasty Warm Ears

Good Morning!  I hope you are all doing well!  Today was the first day in almost a week that I woke up not feeling blech.  The head cold I thought I had, was actually a sinus infection, so needless to say, I was not feeling great. . . at all.  But I am finally on the mend!

 I did finish knitting my hat, so hopefully this will help keep me from getting too sick again this winter.  I rather like how it came out.  The yarn feels so very soft on my head, and it is big enough to cover my ears.  It isn't anything fancy, but it is handmade, and keeps my head and ears toasty warm.  lol

I had my youngest daughter model it for the photo.  It looks rather cute on her .  :-)  It was a simple hat to make. . . just some 2 x 2 ribbing for about 6 inches, then about 7 inches worth of stockinette stitch.  I closed it at the top using Knit 2 together stitches every other stitch, followed by 2 rows of knit every stitch, another row of Knit 2, Knit 2 together for one row, then another 2 rows of knit every stitch. The last row was knit 2 together.  After this I only had about 25 stitches left on my needles.  I threaded a long tail through a tapestry needle, threaded them through the remaining stitches and secured it closed.

 

I've also been working on some Aemilia Ars.  I made a little square doily.  I used Alba Maxima Legacy Linen, and DMC Cordonnet special size 60.  I first made a simple arch and picot border:

 

 

I also added some little buttonhole eyelets using Coton a Broder size 25.  I just used a size .5 mm crochet hook to poke an opening into the linen.  Drew a small circle and buttonholed around to make 4 corner eyelets:

 

 

 

Then I made a little medallion to put in the center of the piece:

 

 

It was a quick and fun project, and I think it came out pretty well.  :-)

 

I've also been looking through my Reticello book.  I've only done some small squares to practice some of the techniques in the book.  I love the technique, and after some more practice, I will plan a larger project, like a tea mat or table runner.  I ordered some cream Italian 38 ct. linen, as well as a couple more Reticello books (in English!) and I can't wait for them to arrive.  I also ordered another Aemilia Ars book from Lacis.  I'll be sure to share this goodie stash with you when it arrives. . . Christmas is coming early for me this year.  :-)

 

  Since I am feeling better, I decided to start another Aemilia Ars needle lace project.  This one is quite a bit more detailed, and will be beautiful once it is finished.  I'll take some photos to share as it progresses.  

 

It's about time for a cup of tea (with honey) so I hope you all have a great day and. . . 

 

'Til Next Time

Happy Stitches!

 

Winter Knitting

Good Afternoon!  I hope you are all having a lovely day!  Mine is going well so far.  :-)  I started the hat I mentioned yesterday.  It isn't going to be anything fancy, as I need it right away, since we've already gotten snow.  lol  The yarn I am using is a lovely lace weight Jaggerspun wool in a pearl gray.  Since it is lace weight, I decided to double up the strands, so it is more like working with a DK or a sport weight yarn now.  

 Then it was time to choose a needle size.  I decided on a size 6 (4mm) needle.  After going through my many many sets of circular needles, to my dismay, I realized that I didn't have a 16 inch circular needle, which is the perfect size to knit a hat in the round.  I have 9 inch (perfect for socks or gloves), a 24 inch, and a 32 inch.  At this point, I could either use the 32 inch, and work a magic loop, or use 2 sets of circular needles.  I decided to use 2 sets of circular needles.  I find it more comfortable than the magic loop method.  The one downside to this method, is if one isn't careful, you could end up with gaps, or "ladders".  I do have a couple of tricks to avoid this, and so far it is coming along nicely.  I just make certain that when switching needles, I pull the first 4 or 5 stitches as tightly as possible.  This always does the trick to avoiding those pesky gaps.

I cast on 100 stitches, divided them between my 2 needles, then proceeded to knit a 2 (knit) by 2(purl) ribbing for the band part of the hat, which will be approx. 6 inches, then I will switch to a simple stockinette stitch.  I will keep you posted on how it is coming along.

 

I am also completely finished with the Schwalm Sampler!  It is laundered, ironed and waiting to be framed which will be later today.  Here are some pictures of the finished piece:

 

 

I'll also snap a photo to share once it's framed.  It was easier and quicker making it the second time around, of course, and a big part of that is due to the book I have by Luzine Happel.  She explains every little detail about Schwalm, both the how and the why.  This is why I will ordering another book from her shortly.  It's called Fancy Hems, and it has all sorts of. . . you got it, Fancy Hems. lol  I imagine that the techniques and patterns she has in that book would just add infinite more beauty and intricacy to any type of embroidery, not just Schwalm.

 

I could probably write three more paragraphs about how fantastic Luzine Happel's books are, but my hands are itching to get back to my hat.  This week is Thanksgiving, and starting tomorrow afternoon, I will pretty much be glued to the kitchen.  lol  Tomorrow, I bake all the pies and deserts, and early. . . veeeeeerrrrry early Thursday morning, I start cooking the turkey and all the trimmings, so I have to use the time I have left to get as much of it done as I can.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and. . . 

'Til Tomorrow

Happy Stitches!

 

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!

Reticello Piece

Yesterday I started the little reticello piece by Casa Erba.  I am really enjoying this technique.  It is very similar to Ruskin Lace, but I think it is prettier and more delicate looking.  To start, I chose a linen.  The tutorial calls for a 38 count, but I only had a 36 or 40 count.  I went with a 36 count Edinburgh by Zwiegart in Cream. 

I cut a square of linen approx. 7.5 inches by 7.5 inches, and then zigzag stitched the edges to prevent fraying. 

 I also added basting stitches to mark the horizontal and vertical centers of the linen.  The tutorial doesn't instruct it, but it's become a habit, and basting did help me when it came time to withdraw threads.

To baste, first I folded the linen in half one way, and then the other.  I threaded my needle with a bright colored thread, and stuck the needle through the center hole.  I left a long tail so that I could use this end to stitch the other direction.

Then it was time for the fun stuff!  The tutorial also called for Pearl Cotton in sizes 8 and 12.  I picked a pretty rose pink by DMC.  I also gathered an embroidery hoop, a size 26 tapestry needle, size 8 embroidery needle, pins ( to help count threads), embroidery scissors and a milliner's needle (for the bullion stitches.)

The tutorial starts with a Punto Quadro stitch (also known as a square stitch or 4 sided stitch)  There are gif demonstrations that the tutorial uses to show how the stitch is executed.  At the corners of the square motif, there are groupings of 4 square stitches that are also demonstrated by gif demonstration.  After having to wait for it to loop around a few times to be able to follow it, I finally had the great idea to just screen shot the steps so I could follow it at my own pace. . . I wish I had done that from the beginning as it would have saved me 20 minutes.  lol

There are also Bullion stitches that cover the corner square stitches.  They are very pretty and remind me of little pink blossoms.

It's a great tutorial that I am really enjoying it.  I am definitely going to be buying some Reticello books in the near future.  :-)  

Well, it's about time to make dinner.  I hope you all enjoyed your day. . .

'Til Tomorrow

Happy Stitches!