Finish or Fling? - Advice

This is a sampler design by Jo Verso, from Cross Stitch Cards and Keepsakes. This is another project from the early 1990s, and possibly one of my earliest projects on evenweave.

Pros:

• Love the motto
• Not a lot of work needed

Cons:

• Half and three quarter stitches, which are then back stitched. Yuk.
• Can't remember if I stitched it in Anchor or DMC
• Fabric seems to have been stained by fruit juice or similar
• Damaged fabric where it was frogged - one or two threads severed vertically and horizontally

I'm not at all sure whether I like this enough to want to rescue it.

Finish or fling?



Verdict: Fling!

The Year of the UFO

My UFO list can be seen in the sidebar. I've also got it arranged nicely in a little spreadsheet, where I've calculated target dates for finishing - and where I've tried to note the approximate year when I started the project. There are some projects in that pile who are old enough to go to University... LOL

I've realised that the mental weight of all these unfinished objects is dragging me down. Even when I'm really enjoying working on a project, that nasty little nagging voice at the back of my head taunts me, saying that I won't finish it, that it's a waste of time, that I have other stuff I once loved and have abandoned. And this is despite my ability to actually finish a project really really improving since I took up blogging - I have very few UFOs from 2007 onwards.

So, I'm going to be ruthless with these projects. I'm going to look at each one and sit in judgement, weighing up the pros and cons. I'm going to consider firstly whether I actually like the project. And then, whether it will either fit into my home or could go to someone as a gift. And whether it will be worth working on - sometimes, projects are UFOs because of mistakes or damage. The verdicts will be simple - Finish or Fling. Fling won't always mean the wastepaper basket - if anyone wants to adopt a UFO, I'd be happy to send it to them...

Votes in comments will be welcome, because I may wobble and be indecisive - and that's not allowed!

New Year Biscornu

 

 

Design: New Year Biscornu - free chart available here 
Designer: Linden Bee Designs - i.e. me!
Threads: DMC
Fabric: 14 count aida, white
Finish: Biscornu
Trims: 2 green star shape buttons

This biscornu (and the fob) are based on my Thistle Stitching Accessories set, but with a twist to make them New Year designs. I found out that I'd not got the thistles just how I wanted them, so made an amendment and then had to email new charts out to those people who had kindly requested them. I'm sometimes a bit of a perfectionist... ;o)

The aida oddments I used made the counting for the border nice and easy, and aida helps the structure of the biscornu too, I feel, even if it is not quite as attractive a fabric as linen. It's good to use stash though, and I do like the finished effect.

New Year Scissor Fob

 

 

Design: New Year Fob - free chart available here 

Designer: Linden Bee Designs - i.e. me!

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 14 count aida, white

Finish: scissor fob

I decided to stitch this set from my own designs as my first project for 2010. I'm glad I did, because I noticed a couple of changes I wanted to make, and so it meant I could amend the chart and get the corrections out to other people, as well as making myself something I'm pretty pleased with.

I used aida as I basically had some small pieces in my stash, so starting the year frugally!

Tardis Washcloth

Design: Tardis Washcloth 

Designer: Lorenia - freebie available here 

Yarn: Patons Cotton, DK weight 

Fibre: 100% cotton

Colour: Denim 2697

Needles: 3.75mm

 

An online friend saw my previous finish, and asked if she could pay me to make one for her - I was happy to agree, but I asked for a donation to the MS Trust instead.

This knits up very quickly, and the yarn is lovely to work with - good twist, and a slight sheen.

 

 

Narvik Beret

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

Designer: Amy Pickard, modified by me

Yarn: Wendy Narvik(discontinued)

Fibre: 85% acrylic, 5.5% mohair, 5.5% wool, 4% polyester.

Colour: Polar (644)

Needles: 5mm and 6mm

I bought a couple of balls of this yarn in Atkinson's sale for the princely sum of £0.69 per ball. I don't know why - it's kind of a blue base with yellow and orange running through it. I think I meant it for a pair of mitts for The Hermit, but he kind of recoiled ...

I was going on a trip to Manchester and needed something on the needles, so I thought I'd try this beret again, but make a narrower brim - and if it didn't work, then I wasn't really losing anything yarn wise, even if it ended up in the bin...

But it worked. And worked well. And I had about 20 feet of yarn left from the 100g I'd purchased by the time I'd finished! This fabric has a nice drape to it and although blue isn't my colour, the yellow goes with my favourite winter jacket...

Review of the Year

This was another busy year! My work hours increased on a regular basis to 24 hours a week, and I have another little freelance gig on the side. The marks in my Uni classes now count towards my final degree classification, so I'm also taking them a little more seriously. Fortunately, I didn't have a major MS flare or other spell of illness, so all in all, I seem to be managing!

I'm still entranced more by knitting than stitching at the moment, and I appear to have discovered that designing cross stitch is as much fun as stitching it - and an awful lot easier to 'frog'!

Anyway, so I can wipe the lists from the sidebars and start with my "Year of the UFO" project, here is what I completed in 2009:

Stitching Finishes

• 30. B is for Blackbird - Prairie Schooler - 28/12
• 29. C is for Cow - Prairie Schooler - 24/12
• 28. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - 06/12
• 27. Sew Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - 04/12
• 26. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand 22/09
• 25. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand 22/09
• 24. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin 10/09
• 23. Derbyshire - Heritage Stitchcraft 27/08
• 22. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler 23/08
• 21. Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance 22/08
• 20. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl 21/08
• 19. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate 29/07
• 18. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush 13/07
• 17. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs 30/06
• 16. Petites Lettres Rouges - Blackbird Designs 26/04
• 15. Holly Berry Sampler - Bent Creek 13/04
• 14. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs 13/04
• 13. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush 13/04
• 12. Spring Keeper 2 - The Drawn Thread 26/03
• 11. Spring Keeper 1 - The Drawn Thread 22/03
• 10. Quaker Bird - With My Needle 15/03
• 9. Quaker Swan - With My Needle14/03
• 8. Spring - Prairie Schooler 15/02
• 7. Valentine Flip It - Lizzie*Kate 09/02
• 6. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler 08/02
• 5. Fredde's Bookmark 07/02
• 4. Oh Christmas Tree - Prairie Schooler 29/01
• 3. All You Need Is Love - The Drawn Thread 25/01
• 2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread 20/01
• 1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate 20/01

I would be hard pressed to name a favourite amongst these, but I think it would be a Prairie Schooler. I have a new obsession!

Finishing Finishes

• 37. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - Ornament - 06/12
• 36. Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - Floss Tag - 4/12
• 35. Trick or Treat - Lizzie*Kate - Mini Pillow 16/10
• 34. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand - Floss Tag 22/09
• 33. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand - Needleroll 22/09
• 32. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin - Needlebook 16/09
• 31. Happy Stitching - Elizabeth's Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
• 30. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler - Pincushion 23/08
• 29. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl - Pinkeep 21/08
• 28. Hardanger Motif - Mary Hickmott - MP3 Cosy 20/08
• 27. Amethyst - Classic Embroidery - Scissor Pouch 01/05
• 26.French Country IV Pumpkin - JBW Designs - Framed 02/08
• 25. Easter Cracker Sampler - Bent Creek - Framed 02/08
• 24. Bird in Tree - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
• 23. Alphabet Ribbon Sampler - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
• 22. Winter - Trail Creek Farm - Scissor Fob 02/08
• 21. Miniature Sampler - Cathy Bussi - Pinkeep 02/08
• 20. Hardanger Square - Mary Hickmott - Pinkeep 02/08
• 19. A Merry Tree for Thee - Full Circle Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
• 18. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate - Pinkeep 31/07
• 17. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush - Needleroll 13/07
• 16. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs - Strawberry 06/07
• 15. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs - Bourse 19/04
• 14. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush - Bookmark 13/04
• 13. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Floss Tag 26/03
• 12. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob 26/03
• 11. Quaker Bird - With My Needle - Scissor Fob 15/03
• 10. Quaker Swan - With My Needle - Pincushion 15/03
• 9. Spring - Prairie Schooler - 28/02
• 8. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler - Biscornu 09/02
• 7. September Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises - Mini Pillow 08/02
• 6. Flower Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 5. Rose Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 4. A Maze Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 3. All You Need is Love - The Drawn Thread - Mattress Pincushion
• 2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob
• 1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate - Pillow

 New-to-me finishes this year were floss tags and bourses. I love how reading blogs gives so much information and inspiration!

• 42. Pink Sparkly Legwarmers - 19/12
• 41. Kaffe Fassett Socks - 13/12
• 40. Mini Cable Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 13/12
• 39. Garter Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 12/12
• 38. Tardis Dishcloth - 11/12
• 37. Mum's Christmas Socks - 26/11
• 36. Narvik Beret - 22/11
• 35. Cable Hot Water Bottle Cover - 15/11
• 34. Cortina Socks - 14/11
• 33. Chunky Wristwarmers 3 - 14/11
• 32. Chunky Beret - 13/11
• 31. Chunky Wristwarmers 2 - 12/11
• 30. Waterfall Scarf 2 - 10/11
• 29. Simple Man Slippers - 31/10
• 28. Chunky Wristwarmers - 24/10
• 27. Waterfall Scarf - 24/10
• 26. Tonks Socks - 17/10
• 25. Innocent Smoothie Hats x 74
• 24. Mini Cable Socks - 02/10
• 23. Blanket Buddy 2 - Lion Brand - 19/09
• 22. Blanket Buddy 1 - Lion Brand - 18/09
• 21. New England Stole - 17/09
• 20. Striped Baby Mitts - Sirdar - 30/08
• 19. Striped Baby Bootees - Sirdar - 29/08
• 18. Poetry Society Letter - 29/08
• 17. Striped Baby Hat - Sirdar - 26/08
• 16. Striped Baby Sweater - Sirdar 11/08
• 15. Clapotis - Kate Gilbert 07/08
• 14. Elongated Corded Rib Socks 29/07
• 13. Hourglass Dishcloth 13/07
• 12. Feather and Fan Scarf 25/06
• 11. Welt Fantastic Socks 20/05
• 10. Bubby Rabbit 10/05
• 9. Garter Rib Socks 25/04
• 8. Corded Rib Socks 08/04
• 7. Regia Stretch Wool Socks 26/03
• 6. Golden Luna Moth Shawl 22/03
• 5. Wool Cotton Socks 28/02
• 4. Speedy Cable Beret - Pink 07/02
• 3. Kiri Shawl 07/02
• 2. Luna Moth Shawl 15/01
• 1. Opal Plain Socks 13/01

I think 2009 can be called "The Year of the Sock". In 2008, I knit my very first pair, and now I have a basketful - and my friends and family are beginning to get them as gifts too. I also knit a number of accessories, which I am wearing with pride now the weather is chilly!

So, how does 2009 compare to other years?

2009 - stitching finishes 30, finishing finishes 37, knitting finishes 42. Total = 109
2008 - stitching finishes 65, finishing finishes 59, knitting finishes 25. Total = 149
2007 - stitching finishes 58, finishing finishes 55, knitting finishes 0. Total = 113

Okay, so it's down, but this year, I've finished some big projects, I've started having my pieces professionally framed, and I've blogged more - a lot more. So I'm happy.


Now to tackle the project for 2010 - The Year of the UFO!

Cable Hotwater Bottle Cosy

Design: Cable Hot Water Bottle Cover - free design available on Ravelry

Designer: Alexis Layton

Yarn: Stylecraft Life Chunky

Fibre: 75% acrylic, 25% wool

Colour: Denim, 2322

Needles: 6mm

I knitted this for The Hermit for Christmas. I only knit blue for other people ;o) The pattern was simple and easy to follow, although I was worried at one point that it would be too small for the hotwater bottle - I started it on my trip away with no access to a hottle, and it looked pretty small when I was working on it, as the cables pull it in a lot. In fact, it got called the Hotwater Bottle Condom because of the likelihood of a snug fit (thanks girls!).

Anyway, it's a perfect fit, it used less than a ball (100g/148m/162yds) of the yarn, and my sweetie really likes it. As he should, actually, as he was the one who picked out the pattern. Is the next step to get him to knit one of his own?

This was the first of three Hotwater Bottle Covers I knitted this Christmas. I think I'm going to make one for myself from all the leftover yarn!

Chunky Wristwarmers #3

Design: Chunky Wristwarmers

Designer: Me

Yarn: James C Brett Marble Chunky

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Colour: Mallard Mix (MC6)

Needles: 5mm

I rustled these up with the leftovers from the scarf - are you bored of seeing this design yet? LOL These are my least favourite of the three pairs I've made so far, I think they look a little too restrained! :o)

Waterfall Scarf #2

Design: Waterfall Scarf

Source: Yarn Stash Wonders

Yarn: James C Brett Marble Chunky

Fibre: 100% acrylic

Colour: Mallard Mix (MC6)

Needles: 6mm (I think, maybe 8mm...)

My partner in a craft swap liked strong colours, particularly turquoise, and said she would like a chunky scarf. I had leftover yarn in my stash, I knew this pattern was quick and effective and off I went :o)

It was hard to part with it, and I nearly lost it to another member of my knitting group too...