I did it! I did it!

I posted at least one post a day through out November!

I did NaBloPoMo!

Go me!

I learned a lot this month:

• That I've been quite productive craft wise this year, and having a backlog of posting was A Good Thing
• Scheduling posts. It means I can write when I have time, and still have something happening blogwise on busy days.
• And scheduling posts means I don't flood readers or test my readers patience.
• That the more regularly I post, the more regularly I get comments.

I can't say that I will post daily in December, but I will try to post more regularly.

Thistle Stitching Accessories - Free Cross Stitch Charts!

Happy St Andrew's Day to all you Scots (and persons of Scottish descent!) out there :o)

To help celebrate, I've come up with these little designs for stitching accessories, incorporating the 'national flower' of Scotland, the thistle. The word Alba is Scots Gaelic for ... you've guessed - Scotland! I was only intending designing a biscornu, but I got a little carried away ... er, inspired!

The Biscornu, Needlebook and Pincushion charts are all interchangeable, so you can 'mix and match' the fronts and backs - my designs are only suggestions, after all!

If you would like copies of the charts, please comment below with your email address and I'll get them sent out to you - I'm working on a little more professional presentation this time round :o) I'm so pleased to get pattern requests - thank you for liking what I do!

Thistle Scissor Fob

Thistle Biscornu Front

 Thistle Biscornu Back

Thistle Needlebook Front

Thistle Needlebook and Pincushion Back

Thistle Pincushion Front

Thistle Scissor Pouch Front

Thistle Scissor Pouch Back

If you do stitch this set of charts, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for the first one I get!

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.

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

Luna Moth Shawl

Design: Luna Moth Shawl

Designer: Elann

Yarn: Sirdar Blur

This is quite a sad little tale, really. This was my first ever shawl that I knit, back in January this year,  and I knitted it surprisingly quickly,with only a few mis-steps, and it was destined to be a gift for my BFF for her 40th birthday. And then the Royal Mail lost it.

I just hope that, wherever it it now, it is being loved and cherished, and wasn't just tossed in a bin ...

Thanks for Waiting

To those people waiting for me to mail a Thanksgiving Blessings chart - it will be in your inbox sometime this weekend, I've been experimenting with presenting my free charts more professionally, and like many things, it's taking longer than I thought!

If anyone else would like a chart, do leave a comment on this or the original post and I will get one to you!

The Busy Bee - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

Today is the poet William Blake's birthday. He was an amazing man - poet, artist, mystic - and he is probably my favourite writer of the Romantic era. His engravings are fantastical - not to my taste, but I can admire them...

I guess nearly everyone knows The Tyger - or if you are a WI member, Jerusalem - but my favourites are in the Songs of Innocence and Experience. Blake was unusual for the time in that he believed strongly in sexual and racial equality, rejected oppression in all its forms, and although a very spiritual man, he rejected the teachings of the Old Testament in favour of the New.

This quote is taken from part of The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, where Blake produces a number of proverbs. These proverbs are provocative and designed to stimulate thought, and I find I often think my best thoughts while stitching :o)

I hope you like the design. If you would like a copy, please leave a comment below with your email address, as this is a little too big to display as a jpeg.

If you do stitch this chart, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for the first one I get! 

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.

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

Mini Cable Socks

Design: Mini Cable Socks

Designer: Charlene Schurch from Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett (75% Wool and 25% Polyamide)

Colour: 4251 Landscape Storm

Needles: 2.5mm Knit Pro DPNS

 

Another pair of favourite socks - although I wish they weren't so blue ... The 'cable' effect is actually a twisted rib, very simple to do, but it looks very effective. The rib makes these socks very comfortable to wear, and because of the pattern row, not too tedious to do.

 

I again used a flap heel with a slip stitch pattern, which cushions them a little.

 

 

Thanksgiving Blessings - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

This is a design especially for my American friends - I wish you the joy of the holiday, and I hope that you have a lovely day, surrounded by peace, plenty, family and friends.

I hope you like the design. If you would like a copy, please leave a comment below with your email address, as this is a little too big to display as a jpeg.

If you do stitch this chart, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for the first one I get! 

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.

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 Year of the UFO

I've been reading Anna's blog for ages now, and I always enjoy it - she is pithy, pertinent and provocative.

Her latest series of posts have really made me think very hard about my crafting activities. She has been showing off a beautiful collection of pieced quilt tops and blocks from her mother - and none of them have been finished. Anna is at a bit of a loss to know what to do with them.

That struck a chord with me. If I was to never pick up a needle again, either me or my family would know what to do with my books, my stash and my finished pieces. Ebay and GreenMetropolis, mostly :o) But who would know what to do with the UnFinished Objects? My mum? Well, maybe, but her eyesight isn't as good as it could be, and she rarely cross stitches these days, and never quilts. My sister? She can't even sew on a button! The Hermit? Well, he can sew on buttons, but nothing more complex. The Tot? Well, she's currently at pre-school, I think even in the 'old days' sampler stitchers were a little older...

I have been listing my UFOs in the sidebar of my blog for a good while now, along with the pieces that need framing, or finishing, or even just a charm or bead stitching on. And then doing nothing with them. They are in full sight, but off my internal radar.

And so, I am hereby declaring 2010 "The Year of the UFO". Look, I've even designed a logo :o)

Unless it is for an exchange or other gift giving occasion, I am not going to start any new stitching piece during 2010 - unless and until all my UFOs etc are done.

I'm not going to be a martyr, however. Some of my UFOs are old, and I started them at a time when I had to take what I could get in the way of stitching projects, or I simply no longer like the project as my tastes have  changed. If there's a project I really can't face doing, then I shall pass it on, either via this blog, Freegle, charity shop ...

And by 2011, there will no longer be the need for those sidebar boxes ...

Does anyone want to join me?

Tonks Socks

Design: 60 stitch socks, slip stitch heel

Designer: elements from the Regia leaflet and Charlene Schurch

Yarn: Opal Harry Potter (75% wool, 25% nylon)

Colour: 2350 Tonks

Needles: 2.5mm DPN

I wouldn't say I'm a huge Harry Potter fan- yes, I've read the books (well, apart from the last one) but have not really bought into the Harry-hype. Although I must say, I seem to have developed an inappropriate crush on Daniel Radcliffe, but that's a whole other story...

Anyway, it was the colours in this yarn that caught my eye, and I'm really sad that - too late - I found out it was a limited edition and that there will be no more! Pinks, wine and gold - what is there not to like? The off white and grey tone it down just enough to prevent retina burn, and the changes prevent knitting fatigue - I think I've said before I'm easily amused :o)

Opal is another favourite for sock yarn for me, great colours, wears well, nice and springy - love it!

Welt Fantastic Socks

Design: Welt Fantastic

Designer: Charlene Schurch from Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Regia Ringel Color(75% wool, 25% nylon)

Colour: 5048 Clown

Needles: 2.5mm DPN

Another pair of Charlene Schurch socks - I love how she has opened up the mysteries of sock knitting for me, and given me a lot of confidence in my own abilities to construct various designs and ways of finishing.

Having stitched a plain pair of socks in this colourway for my niece, I wanted a pair for myself, but I also wanted them to be a little more ... 'out there' I guess, to complement the yarn. These seemed to fit the bill, with their chevron design and 'bullseye' heel.

The pattern itself is really easy to memorise, and the slight bias to the fabricp roduced means the socks stay up well.

The heel is a technique Schurch calls a 'forethought heel' and it basically involvescreating more live stitches and then shaping as you would a toe. It wasn't hard as such, but it was a bit of a faff and I could have done with a third hand in the early stages! I'm not entirely sure the effect is worth the effort, but I'm glad it's a new tool in my repertoire.

 

Trick or Treat - Lizzie*Kate

 

Design: Trick or Treat from Halloween Sampler

Designer: Lizzie*Kate

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, colour unknown

This little mini pillow went to Chris H, a fellow member of the Hooked on Exchanges blog. I love doing Lizzie*Kate designs, which is something back a few years I'd never thought I'd say - I thought the designs too simplistic, too childish ... and now I love them - well, most of them! I think initially my thoughts were because I was trying to find my own 'style' in decor, having always lived in shared houses or furnished places. Discovering my own particular way meant that actually, simple and quirky was 'me'.

It's interesting that my own designing style doesn't appear to be the same, perhaps I'm just being over cautious not to plagiarise?

 

I had great fun putting together some 'treats' to go with the package, I think the UK is really beginning to embrace Hallowe'en now.

Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand

Design: Autumn Leaves Fob from Fall Fobs chart

Designer: Heart in Hand

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric:14 count plastic canvas, brown

You got a sneak peek of this in my previous post - I stitched this as a little 'extra' for the exchange as I was running late with it. It was very simple to do - I used plastic canvas, and backed it with matching paper before adding a floss ring. It would have looked more finished had I been able to put in an eyelet, but I didn't have one that was deep enough.

Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand

Design: Fall Needleroll from Fall Fobs chart

Designer: Heart in Hand

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 28 count evenweave

I stitched this for Gaby over on the Hooked on Exchanges blog. It seems like most of my stitching these days is for exchanges, I've lost my mojo for 'selfish stitching' but it is so much fun to give - and to receive - to friends all over the world.

I think I will have to stitch this piece for myself though - I loved the colours and the style. I stitched it in the DMC that the chart called for, but I did alter the colour of one of the pumpkins. I think my favourite part though was the specialty stitch band at the bottom - the combination of colours and textures looks great!

I finished off the needleroll with a little acorn charm, and some organza ribbon. This picture shows a little flash glare:

Corded Rib Socks

Design: Corded Rib Socks

Designer: Charlene Schurch from Sensational Knitted Socks

Yarn: Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett (75% Wool and 25% Polyamide)

Colour: 4258 Mirage Fire

Needles: 2.5mm Knit Pro DPNS

These are currently one of my favourite pairs of socks - the design is a simple pattern repeat based on 2x2 rib, yet it looks really exotic, the rib makes the fit great and the colours make me so happy :o) Kaffe Fassett's way with colour is just fabulous and right to my tastes. I think in larger pieces - needlepoints, fabrics, big garments, it does get a little overwhelming, but for socks - perfect!

Regia S-T-R-E-T-C-H Wool Socks

Design: 60 stitch basic socks

Designer: Regia (leaflet that comes with yarn). Heelflap.

Yarn: Regia Stretch Color (70% New Wool, 23% Polyamid, 7% Polyester)

Colour: 121 Toronto

Needles: 2.5mm Knit Pro DPNs

In my quest to find the ultimate sock yarn, I'm working through as many yarns as  I can - it's a calling, I tell ya! - and making basic stocking stitch socks for a fair comparison.

This yarn is nice but on close examination you can see the stretchy core that is at the heart of it. The socks seem to 'shrink' more in the wash than others, but they are still wearable and expand to fit.

I think I'd be tempted to use this yarn for knitting socks for someone not immediately at hand to check the fit, and I'd not sure I'd want to do a patterned sock with this.

It was only when blogging I realised that this yarn was called 'Toronto' - which is a nice tip of the hat to The Hermit's heritage :o)

Basket of socks

I love reading other people's blogs - I get so much inspiration from them! A case in point was this cute idea I saw on Staci's blog recently - displaying your hand knitted socks in a basket! Jill (Purple Peacock) followed with a sweet little tin bucket for her socks, so of course, I had to see what I had ...

I ended up turfing out some stitched pieces - don't worry, these are now displayed on one of my bookcases - and found and rolled my socks and voila! I don't have to rootle in a drawer any longer, I can admire my handiwork, and I have room to add more to the collection too :o)

One pair of socks was missing from these shots, they were in the laundry! I'll be blogging about some of the others in the next few days...

Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin

Design: part of Sew and Sew (an old freebie)

Designer: Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 28 count evenweave

I stitched this for Goldie on the Friends Through Threads blog. Our theme was 'Needlework' and I thought this design fitted it to a 'T'.

I decided to experiment and make a needlebook in a way I'd never tried before. I wasn't quite as smooth as I anticipated, but I think it worked out okay in the end, and Goldie loved it, which is the important thing.

I used the ingredients above - card, fabric, felt, eyelets and ribbons - and made a 'loose leaf' needlebook, so hopefully it can be added to if useful. It's all tied together with a big bow

 

 

I also sent Goldie some goodies, following on the ribbon theme :o)

E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler

Design: Part of E is for Embroidery 

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Chart: D*E*F (Book 99)

Threads: DMC as charted

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Backing fabric: A's, Bees and Dandelion Seeds fabric from Red Rooster.

I stitched this for Jayne over on the Year Round Prairie Schooler Exchange blog whilst listening to the cricket back in September. I jokingly said it really should be called 'A is for Ashes' because England managed to win whilst I completed this!

I stitched it pretty much as charted, apart from not filling in behind the 'E' - I think it looks too heavy on little pieces.

The backing fabric is one of my favourites. I see that there are quilt patterns specially for this range - I may have to invest...

Bless My Little (Wool) Cotton Socks!

Design: 60 Stitch Socks, stocking stitch, stocking stitch heel flap

Designer: Regia (leaflet given with yarn)

Yarn: Regia Wool Cotton (34% Cotton, 41% New Wool and 25% Polyamide)

Colour: 4082 Top Winner

Needles: 2.5mm

Another Christmas gift from my sister - well, the yarn was, I had to do the work! Although my sister can knit - or could - she doesn't, and leaves it up to me and my mum to make stuff for her and The Tot :o) So guess who is going to be teaching said Tot?

This yarn is lovely and soft, and is great for spring and autumn wear, the cotton adds just a hint of coolness. There's not a huge amount to say about these basic socks, really - although I should add that I deliberately didn't try to match them up.

Does anyone have any tips for taking pictures of self plus socks?

Opal Socks

Design: 60 stitch socks, stocking stitch, stocking stitch heel flap.

Designer: Regia leaflet (free with their yarn)

Yarn: Opal Lollipop 1013 (Yellow/Brown) (75% wool, 25% polyamide)

Needles: 2.5mm double pointed

My sister bought me the yarn last Christmas, so come the New Year, I cast these on, despite the colours not exactly being me - I think you get the picture that I'm not a big blue person, and I thought the yellow and brown in the ball looked a little odd...

However, they were great fun to knit, watching the colour changes ... yes, I'm easily amused :o) These are my fifth pair of socks ever, and I was beginning to get more confident and happy to make the legs and feet a little smaller, to suit me better.

The yarn is very comfortable and is wearing well. As you can see from this picture, there's hardly any felting on the foot and heel...

And the colour combination is growing on me! :o)

Hardanger MP3 Cosy - Mary Hickmott

Design: Hardanger Motif

Designer: Mary Hickmott

Threads: Anchor Perle 5 1349 Stormy Seas

Fabric 22 count hardanger, pale blue

The Hermit got a new MP3 player for his birthday, but it didn't have an anchor point for clipping on a lanyard. So, I thought I would make a little case for it. I was going to use felt, but then I saw this little piece in my finishes box, and thought it would do. I don't know why I stitched something blue, it's really not a colour I like, but as it's The Hermit's, he was happy...

A little bit of folding and pressing, a tad of stitching, sticking with a bodger and finally a wallop with a hammer to set in the eyelet and ...

It can safely hang from a lanyard, and there's enough room in there for the earphones to be stored neatly.

Bunny Blanket Buddy 2 - Lion Brand

Design: Blanket Buddy (freebie available here)

Designer: Lion Brand

Yarn: Wendy Supreme Cotton 1904 Daisy

Needles: 4mm

I liked this so much I very quickly made a second one - always handy to have ready for a gift - I reckon most very small children would like one of these :o)

This yarn is very nice to work with, and the yardage seems pretty good.

Off on Retreat!

My knitting friends and I are off for a weekend of fun and frolics, which will involve yarn, tea, a ruined castle, Christmas lights and more handknitted accessories than you can shake a stick at ...

Full report on my return, and thanks to scheduled postings, you won't even miss me! :o)

Bunny Blanket Buddy - Lion Brand

Design: Blanket Buddy (freebie available here)

Designer: Lion Brand

Yarn: Wendy Supreme Cotton 1866 Amber Splash

Needles: 4mm

 This little freebie pattern knitted up really quickly, and with no seaming, it makes a great, safe gift for little ones! The head piece is cleverly knitted in a slip stitch pattern which creates a double layer which can be pulled open for stuffing once it's off the needles. Very nifty!

I made this rather smaller than the pattern says because of the finer yarn and thinner needles, but to my mind, this is a more portable comforting toy/face wipe/puppet/bib for a small baby, and being 100% cotton, can be washed and washed and washed ... My knitting group is now in love with the pattern too! So am I, I've already made a second one!

Piggie Pics

Given that my last piggie post generated a heap of comments - more than my craft ones do! - The Hermit suggested that the boys should get a weekly (or should that be wheek-ly?) post of their own, and the boys agreed, so, here's Rowan having a bit of a snooze...

It's just before they were cleaned out, hence the rather scruffy pen! This is one of Rowan's favourite spots - he's 'guarding' Jasper, who is curled up behind. They will share the pod, but prefer not too, I think it's a bit of a squeeze!

And here is Jasper nibbling the parsley bell. Both he and Rowan have worked out that they can lift and drop the bell to make a nice, satisfying (to them - annoying to us!) 'clunk' - which is sometimes used to call the slaves to service...

Lest We Forget - Free Cross Stitch Design!

With the passing of 'The Last Tommy', Harry Patch, our human connection to the devastation that was the First World War is finally severed. The generation that fought end endured through the Second World War is diminishing in number too. However, the need to remember the sacrifices people made - and are still making - doesn't diminish. War is still with us. One day, hopefully, peace will prevail, but until then, we must not forget.

I hope you like the design. If you would like a copy, please leave a comment below with your email address, as this is a little too big to display as a jpeg.

If you do stitch this chart, I'd love to see a picture - and there will be a prize for the first one I get! 

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.

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