Vintage Collar

Good Morning!  I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day.  I gifted the Purple Heart to my mother in law, and she loved it.  She framed it, and hung it on her living room wall.  I'm so happy that she liked it.

I did start another Irish Crochet project.  It's an amazing mix of traditional and modern, and I think my favorite thing about it is, the background netting.  It's a modern irregular background netting, but it has clones knot stitches incorporated into it.  It adds a lovely touch to the netting.  The pattern was designed by Larisa Chilton of Irish Crochet Lab, and it is just amazing.  It includes all of the motif patterns (videos included), instructions for the collar pattern, and instructions and tips on how to make the irregular clones knot netting.  A video is also included on how to incorporate the clones knot into the netting.  It can be purchased through her shop at www.irishcrochetlab.com, as a stand alone pattern, or it is included (along with a plethora of other projects) in the beginner video tutorials.

My collar will be a bit different than the pattern.  I used more silk in my interpretation.  It would have gotten a bit difficult, if not for my secret weapon. . .beeswax.  I used a bit when making the silk motifs, so as to have better control over the thread.  I must say it helped tremendously.  I used Purely Silk thread in ecru, size E for some of the roses, Valdani Pearl Silk in Herb Garden for the greenery, DMC Pearl cotton 12 in cream for the rest of the roses, and a bit of Valdani Pearl Silk in Subtle Elegance for the little rosebuds.  I think Subtle Elegance is my favorite of all of the Valdani Peatl Silk colors.  I will also use Valdani Pearl Cotton 12 in Subtle Elegance for the edging.  For the netting, I am using another favorite of mine.  Prescencia Fincrochet in Ecru.

When I first started the netting, it was very, very slow, but now that I've had a bit more practice, it's coming along a bit more quickly.  It is going to be a beautiful collar, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I will have to make another one, since I have two daughters.  Lol. Not that I mind, I am thoroughly enjoying this project.  Here are some pictures of what I have so far.

Well, I'm off to work on the collar.  I hope you all have a great day, and 

'Till next time

Happy Stitches,

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!

Modern Irish Crochet

Good Morning!  I hope you are all having a pleasant day.  So, let's talk about Irish Crochet. I became interested in the Irish Crochet Lace a few years ago.  I had crocheted for a long time ( since I was 6 or 7), and thread crochet had always been my favorite.  I just love lace. . .all kinds of lace.  It's beautiful, graceful, and oh so delicate.  Wearing a piece of fine lace just makes me feel sophisticated and refined - so that is why I preferred thread crochet.

Of course, Irish  Crochet is very different from thread crochet.  It is more intricate, and more difficult to make.  It is interesting to see how Irish Crochet Lace has evolved over the centuries.  The earliest Irish Crochet Lace was made to imitate needle lace - Italian needle laces.  And from there it took on a life and style all its own. . .and it is still evolving.  

Anything you can imagine can be turned into a modern Irish Crochet piece.

My latest imaginings have taken it into jewelry pieces.  Now these pieces aren't 100% Irish Crochet, but combined with Turkish Oya.   The necklace below was made using DMC Cebelia size 20 for the Irish Crochet flower, and size 30 for the beaded flower chain.  I strung some Swarovski pearls and bicones, and made a separate chain to hang just above it.  I really love how it turned out.

And, still,on the subject of Irish Crochet, I did finish the netting on the heart, and have added some pearls to the flowers.  I also plan to add an edging around it.  I will share pictures of this project as it continues to progress.  I think it turned out beautifully and kept it's shape pretty well, though I still need to block and lightly starch and steam it when it is finished.

I hope you all come back tomorrow, as I plan on sharing another jewelry piece, and hopefully, some Reticello.  Have a wonderful day and. . .

'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!

 

Thanksgiving Weekend

Good Morning!  I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Ours was very good (and very filling!)  I cooked, baked, and ate a lot. . . and unfortunately caught a head cold.  Blech.  I'm feeling a bit better today though.  Being sick is the worst, but unavoidable in the Winter it seems.

I didn't get a whole lot of needlework done this weekend, but I did manage to finish the band on my hat.  It's about 6 inches long, and I've started on the "sock" part of the hat.  I switched over to a simple stockinette stitch, and was (thankfully!) able to switch to one size 7 (4.5mm) 20 inch long circular needle.

I also managed to work a bit on the Irish Crochet Capelet.  I would say I am about half done with the border netting.  I haven't decided yet on an edging, but I do know that I am going to add seed beads, possibly crystal pearls.  Of course, I will share this progress with you.

 

Clones Knot Stitch in Progress

And. . . . my Reticello book arrived!  The text is in Italian, but I am able to understand a lot of it, since it is so close to Spanish, and whatever I don't understand, I use a translator app.  Plus, the pictures are so clear and concise that even without the text translation, it would be easy to follow along.  I haven't tried any of the techniques out yet.  I want to get my hat finished before starting any other projects.  I'll be working on my hat diligently because I honestly can not wait to learn more Reticello lace.  :-)

Well, I am still feeling a bit under the weather, so I am going to relax with a cup of herbal tea, and get a bit more knitting done.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and. . . 

'Til Tomorrow

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!