Happy Dance! - B is for Blackbird

Design: B is for Blackbird (from A*B*C)

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC as charted, modification noted below.

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Stitches: Half cross stitch

This is my final stitching happy dance for 2009. I finished it on the 28th, and I'd hoped to have had "A is for Anchor" done too, but work commitments have got in the way... sigh. It's not very flat, as I laid it out on my fluffy duvet...

I loved working on this, despite a visit from the frog. I only made one modification from the design as it was charted, and that was to turn the red eyes of the blackbirds into one of the gold colours, as blackbirds over here have yellow rims to their eyes. It was nice working on this to think of the nesting pair of blackbirds my parents' garden hosted - they used to make their nest in an old honeysuckle bush.

And is is how it looks with the first letter I did.

I'm so enjoying this, I'm not sure I'm going to want to knuckle down to my Year of the UFO project, but I must...

Chunky Beret

Design: Slouchy Beret, based on Esme - free pattern available here

Designer: Amy Pickard, modified by me

Yarn: King Cole Magnum Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Amber (317)

Needles: 5mm and 6mm

I knitted an Esme beret last year and loved it, so started this one when I went away on my knitting retreat in November. It worked up very quickly - I started it while waiting for lunch to arrive at the pub, and finished it before dinner that evening.

The original Esme has a cabled band, but I just did garter stitch. The band is a little wide, and the yarn with this needle size is a little firm, so it doesn't slouch as much as I'd hoped. However, it makes a great cloche, and I wear it with a brooch pinned to the band. With my bobbed hair, I feel very Thirties!

The hat took only 100g (110m) of yarn too!

Chunky Wristwarmers #2

 

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designer: me, such as they are 'designed'

Yarn: King Cole Magnum Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Amber (317)

Needles: 6mm

I've decided I have a new 'go-to' pattern for fingerless mitts. It's basically knit a rectangle in garter stitch, seam where appropriate, darn in the ends and then flutter my hands and wait for the admiring comments...which I get in bucketfuls. And more than when I wear my nicely cabled mitts with a proper thumb ...ahem.

I'm lucky that in the UK, it rarely gets cold enough to need more than these. If the daytime temperature here goes below -2 deg. C, it's about as cold as it gets in an English city - I've been on the hills and been colder, a lot colder, but then I wear the proper gear, 'k?

Another bargainous yarn from The Wool Baa - something like £2.00 a ball, and I used less than 2 balls to make these and the beret in the next post. The wool in the blend makes them feel great, lightweight and warm and the acrylic means they'll go in the washing machine. What's not to like? If any of you say 'the colour' I'll be over to try and convert you to the joys of orange !

Happy New Year! - Free Cross Stitch Charts!

To help celebrate New Year - I'm of Scottish descent, how could I not? - I tweaked the Thistle Stitching Accessories pattern to make a suitably festive design. I dated it for the 1st of January - as the belief seems to be whatever you do that day you'll do throughout the year, so why not some stitching? I can't believe it's a new decade already though - where did the Noughties go?

The design uses only whole stitches, no French knots and only four colours, so will be quite a nice design to do if you're feeling a little fragile from the late night and too much champagne! And the fob will hardly take any time at all - I'm planning on stitching this when The Hermit and I go to my parent's for the traditional New Year Lunch!

If you would like a copy of the chart, please comment below and leave an email address unless yours is visible in your blog profile. Some people ask for charts but I have no way of getting them to them :o( Charts are sent in PDF format.

If you do stitch this design, I'd love to see the finished article - and there will be a prize for any I show on my blog!

If you feel so inclined, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make payment via the link in my sidebar or by clicking here

There is no obligation to make a donation - you will be sent the chart whether or not you choose to make a donation, as I appreciate that some people are not in a financial position to do so.

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2009 N M Wray

The Multiple Sclerosis Trust

I'm not sure whether you know or not, but I have Multiple Sclerosis. I'm very fortunate in that currently I only have mild symptoms of the disease, and I'm still able to work, study and follow my favourite hobbies - well, with a bit of organisation and setting realistic goals! Okay, maybe skip that bit about realistic goals - LOL!

The MS Trust have been very helpful to me, giving me all the information I need to help me manage my condition and to understand more about my diagnosis. They have also given me the resources I've needed to talk to my family, friends and work colleagues about the impact MS has on my life.My mum especially found it very hard to come to terms with - but then I think all mothers struggle when things don't work out as they'd hoped for their offspring.

I wanted to give something back to the Trust, and I wondered what to do. I needed to be able to incorporate anything I organised into my lifestyle - and then it struck me. I share my cross stitch designs and knitting patterns on my blog. And stitchers are some of the most generous people I know. So I thought, why not ask people to make a small donation if they feel so inclined? And if I sell some of my finished work or some of my excess stash, then the money can go to the Trust too! Of course, there will never, ever be any pressure to make a donation - I've been stony broke before and I know what it's like, and how sometimes even finding the money for necessities is a struggle. And with the recession...

So, I'm mentioning it now as an option - that's all. And thank you for the support and encouragement you've given me about my designing, making this possible. Sometimes, just a kind word is as valuable as any monetary gift.

The link in the sidebar will take you to my Justgiving page. Thank you.

Comments replied to and questions answered

I'm not always sure that replying to comments in situ works, and if I can't email from a person's profile I'm kind of stuck unless I reply here ... so, here's a round up of recent comments and my replies! I value each and every one of my readers and commenters, do keep coming back and if you are nervous about leaving a comment, don't be, I don't bite! :o)

(please, if you ask a question or request a chart and would like a reply, leave an email address - I may have anumber of skills, but psychic powers are not among them! LOL)

Riona said "You and Stephanie [of the Yarn Harlot blog] are the reasons I have made learning to knit one of my stitching goals this year. "

Gosh. I don't know what to say. I mean, Yarn Harlot is a professional at this knitting and blogging (and writing books!) lark - I'm only an enthusiastic amateur. Go for it Riona, and I'd urge you to find a local stitch n bitch group, it's what really inspires me to pick up the needles. It's a real shame that there isn't a local needlecraft group for me, but the blogosphere is a superb substitute!

Katherine replied to my post on the Tardis washcloth saying how she missed Donna in Doctor Who - the good news is she appeared in the Christmas special (and Wilf too) - hope you get to view it soon!

Jillyjill32 picked up an error on my Knitted Cable Scarf pattern - this has now been corrected - thank you so much for pointing it out - and I've re-written the pattern to improve clarity. I'm always happy to get feedback on my patterns, so if you have a comment, please speak up :o)

Mindy - I knitted the Luna Moth shawl is Sirdar Blur - which is 30% kid mohair and 70% acrylic. It's also been discontinued :o(

Leta - thanks for the comments on my charts, but unfortunately, you did not leave an email address and your Blogger profile is not publicly visible. Please can you comment again, leaving your email address? (if you are worried that it may be picked up by spambots, leave spaces in it or add an extra word, telling me to leave out cat or hat or whatever you choose)

And don't forget my giveaway for my 500th post - leave a comment there and I'll enter you in the draw. Leave a link on your blog and you'll get more entries!

Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover - Free Pattern!

 

Design: Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

Designer: Me - free design below

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Colour: Rose (2301)

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Needles: 4.50mm

My sister asked for a gift card for her favourite clothes store for Christmas, and I was more than happy to get that for her. But you can't have nothing to open on Christmas Day, and so I rustled up this little hotwater bottle cover, as my sister is one of the chilliest people I know - she has been known to wear flannel pyjamas in August! 

My niece, The Tot, is coveting this gift - she keeps asking my sister if she can have it! So it's certainly a hit with one member of the family!

 

Garter Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

You will need:

100g of chunky yarn - I used Stylecraft Life Chunky, which is 162yds/148m

double pointed needles or short circulars - I used 4.50mm, but I knit slightly loosely, you may want tomove up to 5.00mm or 5.50mm

crochet hook - 4.50mm approx to make cord - or a length of ribbon

blunt ended needle for sewing up.

stitch marker

large hotwater bottle

Instructions:

Body:

Cast on 56 stitches, and join in a circle, being careful not to twist. Use stitch marker to indicate beginning of row.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Rows 1-2 form pattern repeat.

Repeat pattern until you've reached the shoulder of the hotwater bottle - mine needed 64 rows. If you haven't finished on a knit row, then knit one row. This sets up the eyelet row and frill.

Eyelets and frill:

Row 1: *Knit 2, Yarn Over, Purl 2, Yarn Over, repeat from * to end of round

Row 2: *Knit 2, Knit 2 together, Knit 2 together, repeat from * to end of round

Row 3: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 8: Knit

Cast off - this can be done knitwise or in rib.

Darn in end at top. Sew bottom seam using a mattress stitch.

Make tie cord by crocheting a chain about 50cm (20 inches) in length. Weave through the eyelet holes. Insert hotwater bottle and tie cord to secure.

The Hermit needs nagging gentle encouragement in order to buy Christmas gifts for me, his best beloved - he loathes Christmas. However, for the guinea pigs he will, unprompted, purchase them a new fleecy blanket and some guinea pigs treats - and wrap them. Ahem.

The boys are loving both of us being home, and enjoying the extra time they are getting in their day bed, which is on the table next to the computer. I've peeled back the blanket for a peek at them ... after this picture was taken, Rowan tugged at it to try and get it to cover him again...

Cortina Socks

Design: Plain Stocking Stitch Socks

Designer: Based on Regia leaflet socks, with heel from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Cortina (from Lidl Supermarket)

Fibre: 75% wool, 25% nylon

Needles: 2.5mm DPN

Last year, my second ever pair of socks was a Christmas gift for my dearest friend. This year from OCtober onwards she started dropping hints she'd like another pair ...

My friend requested 'dark, plainish socks - black, brown or grey' - and this yarn, snaffled at a bargain price from a discount supermarket chain seemed to fit the bill - it was plain enough for her, but not so plain I was going to be bored to death with it. There was no way I was going to knit plain black socks! The yarn is a little rougher than Regia et al, but it worked up quite nicely and I think it will get softer with washing.

I don't think they are going to be worn for a while yet - on Christmas Day my friend flew out to India for six weeks, but I know she's taken them with her for her arrival back in the UK, as February is always freezing!

Prairie Schooler Exchange

Here is the delicate Santa Leeann stitched for me, over one, no less! We're both members of the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange blog, so obviously this is a PS design, although I don't know which leaflet it came from.

This cheery chappie has gone to join my other handmade ornaments in a basket (I don't have a tree). Thank you  again Leeann!

Prairie Schooler SAL

Day 1

Day 2(under artificial light)

Day 3

The combination of a peaceful Christmas with no travelling and Test Match Special on the radio, with live coverage of England's cricketers taking on South Africa has given me plenty of stitching time until I start work again tomorrow (boo, hiss!).

So my Prairie Schooler SAL is growing apace ... of course, when talking about over one, 'growing' is a relative term ... but hopefully, I will finish it later today. I've had a visit from the frog, I miscounted the vine border and was one stitch out by the time I got to the top ... I've reworked the horizontal row at the top, but the leaves and berries I've left alone, it can be our little secret :o)

Clapotis

Design: Clapotis

Designer: Kate Gilbert - in Knitty, free pattern can be found here

Yarn: Noro Cash Iroha

Fibre: 40% Silk, 30% Lambswool, 20% Cashmere, 10% Nylon

Colour: Garnet (22)
Needles: 5mm

This rather luxurious yarn would have normally been outside my budget, but The Wool Baa had it on sale. And the feel of it ... so lovely, and the colour was 'me' and I'd wanted to knit a Clapotis for ages and so I indulged - it wasn't terribly cheap, even on sale.

Jill, the lovely owner of The Wool Baa gave me some hints on working the Clapotis so that I didn't have to faff with stitch markers and twisted stitches - I basically just purled each stitch to drop - and this worked up pretty quickly.

And then disappointment set in. It was very comfortable and the colour sings - but I felt it was a bit too plain for me. I think I had 'Post Project Slump Syndrome'. But I persevered and wore it all through the autumn. And the comments wouldn't stop coming, from a friend you'd spotted me across the Peace Gardens because I was wearing this to the young guy 'chugging' in the city centre who just thought it was amazing.

And now I love it. And I want another one, perhaps in purple or plum. And probably in a yarn which has some colour variation.

And if you're lucky, I might post a picture of me wearing that one, and not my kitchen door modelling it!

Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler

Design: Sow Dry, Set Wet 

Designer: Prairie Schooler (freebie)

Threads: DMc as charted

Fabric: 25 count natural linen

Finish: Thread fob, beaded edges and loop

I stitched this for my partner Patti on the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange. I wasn't sure if she celebrated Christmas, so I played it safe and stitched one of my favourite freebies for her.

I used some large count linen from my stash and stitched the design over one.

To make it a little more interesting, I personalised the back on another piece of this linen and then whipstitched and beaded the edges. I didn't want to puncture the fabric and use an eyelet for the thread ring, so I made a beaded loop inside - I think I may use that again in future, it was easier and looked neater, too.

Feather and Fan Scarf

Design: Feather and Fan Scarf

Designer: unknown - from Ravelry though.

Yarn: Wendy Happy

Colour: Taurus (2507)

Fibre: 75% bamboo, 25% nylon

Needles: 5.00mm (I think)

This scarf was made to cover that tricky spring period where it can be quite chilly or draughty but not enough to need a woolly ... It took exactly 100g (420m) of yarn, so it was pretty economical too. And if I get bored with it, as I'm not sure about the colours, I will rip it back and make it into a pair of socks! It does drape beautifully and is wearing well.

I was knitting this one afternoon when I went to my parents for lunch. My mum - herself a knitter, she was the one who taught me after all - at first just thought I was knitting a plain scarf with this self striping yarn and then noticed the pattern. And she laughed. Not normally the reaction my knitting, I have to say - and then she explained. Her grannie (my great grannie) was also a knitter - which I knew. Apparently, she used to use this pattern to knit everybody stripy scarves - whether they wanted one or not - using up her odds and ends of yarn, and almost always alternated with beige! I was quite touched actually - and I think Ma was too - to think I'm carrying on a bit of family tradition!

Mini Cable Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover - Free Pattern!

Designer: Mini Cable Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

Designer: me! - pattern below

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Colour: Raspberry Marl (2347)

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Needles: UK7 (4.5mm)

I'm posting this out of order of making, as this was actually the third hotwater bottle cover I knitted for Christmas gifts. This was one I made for my mum, as a bit of a stocking filler. The yarn is nice and squooshy and very good value. The 25% wool makes it nice and soft and will insulate the hottle nicely, and the acrylic will make it durable and washable.

My mum used to knit hotwater bottle covers for us when we were children, it's nice to turn the tables!

Mini Cable Rib Hotwater Bottle Cover

You will need:

100g of chunky yarn - I used Stylecraft Life Chunky, which is 162yds/148m

double pointed needles or short circulars - I used 4.50mm, but I knit slightly loosely, you may want tomove up to 5.00mm or 5.50mm

crochet hook - 4.50mm approx to make cord - or a length of ribbon

blunt ended needle for sewing up.

stitch marker

large hotwater bottle

Instructions:

Body:

Cast on 56 stitches, and join in a circle, being careful not to twist. Use stitch marker to indicate beginning of row.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: *Knit 2 together, don't slip the stitches from the needle but insert needle between the stitches and knit 1, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Rows 1-4 form pattern repeat.

Repeat pattern until you've reached the shoulder of the hotwater bottle - mine needed 64 rows. If you haven't finished on a knit row, then knit one row. This sets up the eyelet row and frill.

Eyelets and frill:

Row 1: *Knit 2, Yarn Over, Purl 2, Yarn Over, repeat from * to end of round

Row 2: *Knit 2, Knit 2 together, Knit 2 together, repeat from * to end of round

Row 3: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: *Knit 2 together, don't slip the stitches from the needle but insert needle between the stitches and knit 1, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: *Knit 2, Purl 2, repeat from * to end of round

Row 8: Knit

Cast off - this can be done knitwise or in rib.

Darn in end at top. Sew bottom seam using a mattress stitch.

Make tie cord by crocheting a chain about 50cm (20 inches) in length. Weave through the eyelet holes. Insert hotwater bottle and tie cord to secure.

Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio

Design: Purple Penguin

Designer: Casey Buonaugurio, from the 2009 JCS Ornament Issue

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 14 count aida, pink

Finished: Flat ornament, beaded edging and hanger

I've started a tradition where I always make my niece, The Tot, a Christmas ornament. And it's always cross stitched. This year, Tot is besotted by pink, with purple a close second. My sister even bought Tot a pink Christmas tree of her very own - as Sis is quite strict that her Christmas tree is red, gold and green :o)

So, when I saw this cute little purple penguin, it was a must stitch! I had some pink aida lurking in my stash (I'd been given it by my cousin, I hadn't bought it!) so I thought I'd go for the full girly effect!

I personalised the back of the ornament with my niece's name and a little charm, before outlining in backstitch as I was going to whipstitch and bead the ornament closed.

The lilac beads and ribbon were also in my stash - I love having stash, it makes me feel very blessed and it also means when I'm on a roll, I don't need to break off and go shopping!

The beaded edge is simple, but time consuming. However, I think it was worth it, it really adds something to the finished piece.

Garter Rib Socks

Design: Garter Rib Socks

Designer: Charlene Schurch (from Sensational Knitted Socks) 

Yarn: Wendy Happy

Fibre: 75% bamboo, 25% nylon

Colour: Gemini 2502

Needles: 2.5mm KnitPro DPNS

I've just realised I posted these as a WIP but never showed you the finished result! These have made a very comfortable pair of socks, and they are wearing well. The bamboo is lovely and soft. They do slouch a little more than my wool socks, but it's liveable with.

The yarn was quite splitty when I cast it on - I think it's my technique but the result was great. I've got some more of this yarn in my stash earmarked for socks, I can't wait because they are especially fab for summer wear. And of course bamboo is a renewable resource...

Chunky Wristwarmers

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designers: Can't remember where I got the idea from - not that there's a design as such!

Yarn: Fontana (from Lidl Supermarket)

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Needles: 6mm

These match the scarf in the previous post. They are basically a rectangle of garter stitch, seamed so that the ridges run vertically and with a gap left in the seam for the thumb. They could not be simpler, and so I make a pair in about an hour. They don't look anything much when not worn, hence the rather odd hand modelling going on...

I was wearing them to class a couple of weeks ago, and my Literature tutor admired them. So did one of my classmates when she borrowed them as she couldn't get her hands warm - these did the trick and I nearly lost them! My tutor asked for the instructions and by the class the following week, she'd already made three pairs! My tutor for this class is great - she's pretty creative herself, she was showing me some needlefelted jewellry she'd made with combings from her Shih Tzu!

Waterfall Scarf

Design: Waterfall Scarf

Designer: Yarn Stash Wonders

Yarn: Fontana (from Lidl Supermarket)

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Needles: 8mm

This knitted up really quickly, and it looks pretty impressive. It's worked entirely in garter stitch, so couldn't be easier - the magic comes with the dropped stitches at the end!

I used just over three 50g balls for this, and it's slightly too long for me - but as I'm only 5 feet 2 inches, many things are :o)

This yarn was pretty good for the price (£2.99 for 200g) - better than some 'name' yarns in the way it has handled and is wearing.

Buddha should have been a garden ornament, but I have no garden ... he's a great model, very patient ;o)

Tardis Washcloth

 

Design: Tardis Washcloth

Designer: Lorenia - freebie available here

Yarn: Patons Cotton, DK weight

Fibre: 100% cotton

Colour: Denim 2697

Needles: 3.75mm

The Hermit is turning into a Doctor Who obsessive.  I've also got several friends who are somewhat more than fans, and they told me about this design. I had some blue cotton in my stash - snaffled very cheaply at a charity shop - and I was off. In less than an evening, I had a gift for my sweetie!

I made the border garter stitch rather than single rib, as garter stitch is speedier but other than that, I made no changes.

C is for Cow - Prairie Schooler

Design: C is for Cow (from Booklet A*B*C)

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, antique white

Stitched in petit point over one thread, with two strands of floss

Thank you for all your kind comments on this so far - you've really been an incentive to keep stitching, and now my cow is finished! I've been lucky in that all my Christmas preparations were completed early and so I've had time to stitch :o)

I can't promise I'll keep this speed up in future, but here's to starting B is for Blackbird later today!

I've stitched this as charted - the only modification I made was not filling in the block around the letter C.

Ma's Christmas Socks

Design: 60 stitch socks, slip stitch heel

Designer: elements from the Regia leaflet and Charlene Schurch

Yarn: Schoeller Fortissima Socka Mexiko

Fibre: 75% wool, 25% nylon

Colour: lost theball band, but I know it's been discontinued

Needles: 2.5mm DPN

My usual 'go to' sock pattern, but one which shows of the yarn beautifully. I'm not normally a fan of blues, but I will make an exception for these! So it's a shame really that they are a Christmas present for my mum! By the time this is posted on my blog, they will hopefully be on her feet, keeping her warm and snug!

She specifically requested some hand knit socks for Christmas. My parents are going to Norway on holiday in June, and are crossing the Arctic Circle and going right up to North Cape - so Ma wants to make sure her feet are warm.

Ma likes blue, and the colours of this yarn spoke to me of deep fjords, pine forests and clear skies... I hope she likes them as much as I do, otherwise I'll have them back! :o)

Happy Stitching - Elizabeth's Designs

Design: Merry Christmas (Happy Stitching)

Designer: Elizabeth's Designs. Freebie available here

Threads: DMC (my own conversion)

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Finish: Pinkeep

I stitched this for an exchange on Hooked on Exchanges. I think it's an appropriate design to display today!

Merry Christmas to all my online friends - I wish you all joy, love and peace now and for 2010!

500 Post Giveaway!

My last socks post was my 499th on this blog! So this one is the BIG 5-0-0! I think that deserves a little celebration. Plus - it's Christmas!

So, to say thank you to everyone who reads, comments or asks for a chart, I'm going to have a little giveaway.

This is a little wallhanging I stitched from an exclusive SanMan Originals design. I stitched it in Six Strand Sweets and made it into a wall hanging with some vintage fabric. It can be displayed either by pegging onto a wire hanger.

I will enter anyone who comments on this post into a draw to be done on Monday 4 January. If you post about this on your own blog with a link, you'll get an extra two chances in the draw! - just let me know in your comment.

Good luck, and peace and goodwill be with you!

Plain Striped Socks (Kaffe Fassett)

Design: 60 stitch socks, slip stitch heel

Designer: elements from the Regia leaflet and Charlene Schurch

Yarn: Regia Kaffe Fassett Design Line

Fibre: 75% wool, 25% nylon

Colour: 4259 Fire Landscape

Needles: 2.5mm KnitPro DPN

There's not really a lot I can say about plain stocking stitch socks, because they're just that - plain. They'd be quite boring to knit too, if they weren't in such great self striping yarn. Yes, it's Kaffe Fassett again - I just love the colour use, and the intensity of the shades. And with the weather we've been having, one can never have too many pairs of hand knit wooly socks!

Prairie Schooler SAL

Hey Diddle Diddle

The Cat and the Fiddle

The Cow jumped over the Moon...

Here's my cow in space rather than on a lush green field - she looks a little startled, but I've found cows take most things in their stride! I'm pleased with how quickly this is working up, but I hope I don't go off like a rocket and then burn myself out! However, I'd like to get this part finished before Christmas now, rather than the end of the month...

Pink Sparkly Legwarmers

Design: Little Legwarmers

Designer: me - such as the design is!

Yarn: Creative Yarns Rainbow Multi Glitz Double Knitting 

Fibre: 97% acrylic, 3% metallic 

Colour: 1084

Needles: 3.75mm DPN and small circular

These are a Christmas gift, but I'm safe posting about this as the recipient is only three (and a half! most important...) and can't (quite) read my blog.

My niece, The Tot, has recently started ballet lessons - you can see her in her 'uniform' above - and is also in that 'pink princess' stage little girls seem to go through. We don't know where she gets it from, as none of the family have exactly been encouraging it, but you've got to make a little girl happy, haven't you? And how better to do that than combine her favourite colours with some sparkle in a pair of 'proper dancer's' accessories?

The photo doesn't show you the full horror effect. The pink is very lurid, not quite day-glo but nearly, and running all the way through the yarn is a strand of silver sparkle. The fair isle section is fuchsia and white. All I'm going to say is that whilst these would have made an ideal bus project, I wasn't going to be seen knitting this stuff in public...

It was quite fun to think I'd seen this yarn as a sample when we'd been to the Creative Yarn warehouse in the summer though!

The hardest part of knitting these was juggling with the metal DPNS, so I switched to a 16" circular and progress was quicker, although I had to keep shoving stitches around.

If you'd like to make your own budding ballerina a pair of legwarmers, you will need:

Little Legwarmers - for little legs

(age 3-4 approx) (pattern especially for Barb M!)

100g double knitting yarn - you won't use all the ball, but having extra will give you chance to lengthen the legs

4mm double pointed needles or small (16"/40cm) circular needle - I used 3.75mm because I knit slightly loosely. Tension isn't wildly important but you don't want too loose a fabric If you want to knit straight, then a pair of 4mm ordinary needles needed.

yarn needle

Cast on 36 stitches loosely - or use a 5mm needle

Divide stitches over  double pointed needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches (or use a small circular needle)

Work knit 2, purl 2 rib for 16 rows

Knit 64 rows

Work knit 2, purl 2 rib for 6 row

Cast off loosely in rib

Darn in ends.

If you wanted to knit these in the flat and seam, then:

Cast on 38 stitches loosely - or use a 5mm needle

Row 1: knit 2, purl 2 to end, ending with knit 2

Row 2: purl 2, knit 2 to end, ending with purl 2

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 seven more times

Row 17: knit

Row 18: purl

Repeat Rows 17 and 18 31 more times

Row 81: knit 2, purl 2 to end, ending with knit 2

Row 82: purl 2, knit 2 to end, ending with purl 2

Repeat Rows 81 and 82 twice more

Cast off loosely in rib.

Seam using a mattress seam. There is a one stitch seam allowance.

A Merry Tree for Thee - Full Circle Designs

 

I chose this ornament from the JCS 2002 edition for Cathy on the Friends Through Threads Exchange. Cathy does some lovely work and I though she might like this tree as it's not just cross stitch. I used the fabric you can see in the picture to make this into a pinkeep style ornament. The colours in the picture above are a little off because I took it under artificial light.

 

 

This is much more accurate!

Design: A Merry Tree for Thee
Designer: Full Circle Designs
Threads: DMC as charted
Fabric: unknown linen
Finish: Pinkeep

Prairie Schooler SAL

I know I said next year was going to be the Year of the UFO and that I wouldn't do any new starts ... but I really couldn't resist the Prairie Schooler SAL Vonna has set up! And I told myself (and everyone agreed) that if I started it now, well, it was obviously going to be a UFO for 2010 ...

Initially, I thought that I could just stitch the little boxes with the letters, but that wasn't really working for me in the end. So, I decided to bite the bullet and go for the full blown designs! Eek!

I'm going to stitch them over one on 28 count evenweave, but only do a half cross stitch in two strands. I've done this before and liked the effect. And the speed!

I'm going to do the alphabet in three pieces, so I will have a layout of 3 x 3 on each piece - it brings them down to a more sensible size for handling, I like working with a small hoop in hand.

So, here's the set up, with my lovely Prairie Schooler floss tag I received from Laurence on Hooked on Exchanges...

And this is after my first session on Sunday - I'm starting with C is for Cow, as there was a nice solid border on the right hand side so I could just measure and go ... well, calculate, measure, calculate, measure and go...

I'm happy with the coverage of the threads, on the whole. Of course, as it's going to be framed, it only needs to look good from a distance :o) It looks yellowish because of the lighting, unfortunately.

And this is how it looked after Monday night's session:

 

 

I did a little bit of frogging (and you can just about see the fluff left) as I felt that the C didn't stand out enough against the dark background, so I'm going to leaveall the letter spaces unfilled. For now... I may decide to do them in a paler colour later, I think I need to ponder on this a bit more.

I've counted all the grids on the charts, and I think for this section all are 70 wide, and there's only one that isn't 100 stitches high. I'm leaving 5 threads between each design to allow for 'leakage'.

My goal is to stitch this before the end of the month, and then to stitch one piece a month. But you know what they say about best laid plans...

Christmas ABC Part 13 - Y*Z* - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

 

This is the last part of the series - and I'm really sad that it's finishing. It's been a lot of hard work, both the designing and the blogging my memories, but I've actually really enjoyed it. I will be producing another series of ornaments, but I will be doing one per month over 2010 to produce a collection of 'Bride's Tree' ornaments - I hope you will join me for that!

I have to say, I've never seen a real Yule log being burnt. My Yule logs tend to look like chocolate Swiss rolls with a little holly or robin on top, and delicious they are too! I love how this season combines pre-Christian and Christian rituals so that none are forgotten ... it shows the importance of hope and light in the dark season of the year.

And of course, after all this running about and making merry, it's important to rest and revitalise! Santa here is having a snooze, and as I write this, The Hermit is snoring gently in the next room having finished work until the New Year! The Hermit has a severe sleep disorder, so hearing him snore is actually a good thing, not the annoyance it could be under other circumstances!

And finally, I would like to wish you all Joy, Love and Peace for Christmas 2009 and beyond.

Merry Christmas!

If you would like copies of the charts, please comment below with your email address and I'll get them sent out to you. If you do stitch either of these designs, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for each one I show on my blog!

Edited to add: If you feel so inclined, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make payment via the link in my sidebar or by clicking here.

Edited to add: As of Twelfth Night (6 January 2010) this chart is no longer available as a freebie. It may return at some point as a chart for sale to raise money for the MS Trust

 

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2009 N M Wray

Christmas ABC Part 12 - W*X* - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

 

I think I mentioned (way back on H for Holly) that my mum used to make wreaths for a florist each Christmas. A little extra money to help the family budget as she was normally a stay at home mum. Joan, the florist, had a little shop attached to her home, and after school and on those last few days before Christmas when school was closed, we'd be welcome to go and 'help' - or at least, not hinder! It was there where I learned how wonderful Aga stoves were - you can made toast on the hotplate - and I leanred also how to cut flowers to make them last longer. But it is the smell I still remember. First of all the slightly musty and autumnal scents of the bracken used for the bases, echoed in the smell of the jute twine used to bind them. And then the crisp green smell of the cypress and pine boughs. And all this mixed with the shop scents - chrysanthemums and forced hyacinths...

Christmas pudding was never really big in our household growing up. My mum didn't - doesn't - like it and neither my sister nor I were really given the chance to get to know it! Trifle was the Christmas dessert in our house - and it still is now, with leftovers for Boxing Day breakfast :o) However, my dad is quite fond of Christmas pud, and especially of the rum sauce that goes with it LOL. So, he would often get a little individual shop bought pudding of his own which could be left to steam away quietly. Dinner would generally be about 2 or 3 o'clock, after my dad had had his post night shift sleep, and sometimes at this point, my mum would be a trifle merry after visiting our neighbours for a drink or too at earlier. One year, I think they'd been on the homemade wine, which was always inordinately strong, so dinner was a little more slapdash than usual ... Ma goes "oh, the pudding! It isn't in the pan" - and picks it up and drops it from a great height, going "whhhheeeeeee!" as she does so ... causing all the water to leap out of the pan, extinguishing the gas flames. Let's just say, my sister and I took over at that point, and Ma had to go and have a little lie down...;o)

If you would like copies of the charts, please comment below with your email address and I'll get them sent out to you. If you do stitch either of these designs, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for each one I show on my blog!

Edited to add: If you feel so inclined, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make payment via the link in my sidebar or by clicking here.

Edited to add: As of Twelfth Night (6 January 2010) this chart is no longer available as a freebie. It may return at some point as a chart for sale to raise money for the MS Trust

 

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2009 N M Wray

Christmas ABC Part 11 - U*V* - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

 

Unwrapping presents has to be the best thing. I'm really terrible about waiting - I'll prod, poke and sometimes even piggle the paper and peek :o) I always maintain it's not impatience - it's my curiosity and the need to know! Of course, not all good presents need unwrapping - one year, we got a puppy the week before Christmas - who got lost under the wrapping paper because he fell asleep when the excitement got too much. And seven years ago, we got the message that paperwork enabling The Hermit to move to the UK with a British passport had been found :o)

It mustn't be forgotten that Christmas is above all a Christian festival. And of course, God's representatives on earth are the clergy. In the Church of England, the person in charge of a parish is usually the vicar. My gran was a member of the Church of Scotland, which is a similar episcopal denomination. She had been ill one time, and so the vicar popped round to see how she was doing. It was a Tuesday afternoon, her regular meet up with her sister, mother and another friend. How pleasant, you might think. Until you realised it was the usual Tuesday card school (gin rummy, for money) and that as well as tea and biscuits on offer, there was a bottle of Scotch whisky on the table!

If you would like copies of the charts, please comment below with your email address and I'll get them sent out to you. If you do stitch either of these designs, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for each one I show on my blog!

Edited to add: If you feel so inclined, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make payment via the link in my sidebar or by clicking here.

Edited to add: As of Twelfth Night (6 January 2010) this chart is no longer available as a freebie. It may return at some point as a chart for sale to raise money for the MS Trust


This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2009 N M Wray

Christmas ABC Part 10 - S*T* - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

 

When I was a little girl, we didn't have stockings. No, don't feel too sad for us, we used pillowcases instead! My dad* was a policeman for many years, and it always seemed** he was on night shift on Christmas Eve - hence him decorating the panda (squad) car with tinsel round the aerial and a "Merry Christmas to all our Customers" sign in the back window. Ahem. His shift would finish at 6.00am, and we would be up waiting for him to get back. And then we could open our presents ... and play with them while my dad went off to get some sleep! Schoolfriends were always envious of the early start we could have, and we loved it too, but it was a purely pragmatic decision on the part of my parents :o)

 

One of Eddie Izzard's funniest routines is about tangerines (or satsumas). I love Eddie Izzard, but I missed out his last tour, as he was playing Sheffield Arena and tickets were £37 ... eeek! He was also in the middle of running something crazy - 43 MARATHONS in 51 days - you've got to admire him for that, he was a bit of a podgy couch potato before taking this on for Sport Relief. I bet his feet didn't fit into his heels after that effort ... This anecdote is getting a little Eddie like - rambling and off the point. Just not as funny. And not wearing nail varnish. Can you tell I don't have much to say about a citrus fruit? :o)

* yay! a story about my dad. At last!

** my dad worked Christmas for 25 of his 27 years in the force. Technically, only one third of those should have been nights, but it didn't seem like it!

If you would like copies of the charts, please comment below with your email address and I'll get them sent out to you. If you do stitch either of these designs, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for each one I show on my blog!

Edited to add: If you feel so inclined, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make payment via the link in my sidebar or by clicking here.

Edited to add: As of Twelfth Night (6 January 2010) this chart is no longer available as a freebie. It may return at some point as a chart for sale to raise money for the MS Trust

 

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2009 N M Wray