Tree of Stitches by Abi Gurden

Here's my progress on the Tree of Stitches through Part 14.  Only one part left to go!  There's a cute owl in the middle and a little rabbit on the ground and those parts will be released on August 5th.  As I've said before, this has been a wonderful design to stitch and the people on the Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group have made some amazing variations to this tree.  The fabric and thread choice has been left up to the stitcher and some people have done multi-colors, blossom trees, a whole host of colors, and they all look beautiful.

The fabric in this picture looks a little strange in color!  If you go down through my blog you will see a picture I scanned that shows the color better.  It's actually sky color, a very subtle hand dye.  I purchased it from the Blended Needle quite a few years ago and thought it would be perfect for the tree, it's 32 count.  However, if I were to stitch this design again (and I may just do that!) I'd choose 28 count fabric because that allows for a wider variety of threads to choose from, particularly #8 Perle which was a little thick for the specialty stitches on this count fabric.

If you're interested in joining in with the fun and being part of the Yahoo Group it's not too late!  Just follow the link down the left hand side of this blog. Abi's designs are wonderful and she has another great one in the works that will be released to the group in the coming weeks.

Finished!

Bring out the brass band I've actually finished something!  This is Scherzo by Whispered by the Wind.  It was my "in between" project and was such a joy to stitch.  I used #844 Mandarin Bamboo floss from Rainbow Gallery on Confederate Grey Cashel.

I will now get on and work on the next part of The Tree of Stitches, part 14 has been released.  Only two more parts to go after this one, what a pleasure this has been to stitch as well.  Our Yahoo Group has grown to over 230 members as more and more people hear about this design.  Follow the link on the left hand side of this blog if you're interested in joining in with us.  I should get Part 14 finished tonight and then I'll post a picture.

Tree of Stitches - progress through Part 12

Tree of Stitches by Abi Gurden

I stitched part 12 of the Tree of Stitches over the weekend.  I decided to do a scan this time because taking a photo didn't seem to be showing the correct colors and I think the scan shows the fabric color better.  I did the latest part in two colors to show the stitch in more detail.

I've also added some beads to one of the parts, the top left, but they don't show up too well on the scan. I need to go through my stash and see what I can find for beads for the other parts, or else I'll have to visit my LNS.

This design is a SAL through the Yahoo Group The Stitch Specialists of which I'm a moderator. Not too much further to go!

An "in-between" project

While waiting for the next part of Tree of Stitches to be released, I was looking for something simple to stitch.  I wanted one color of thread and just cross stitch, nothing fancy.  It seemed like all the projects I had on the go had a zillion colors or required concentration, something I don't always have a lot of at the end of a working day.

So, I found this design from Whispered by the Wind.  It's called "Scherzo" and the model shows it stitched in an overdyed thread.  I chose 28 count Cashel/Confederate Grey and #844 Mandarin Bamboo floss from Rainbow Gallery, which is a solid color, not overdyed.  I just love this color of fabric, it's one of my favorites.  The floss I'd had in my stash for a while but had not tried it and it's a dream to stitch with, it just glides through the fabric.  I'm really enjoying this project.

This is one week's progress, more than 1/3 and less than 1/2, but I don't think it will take too much longer to finish.

Tree of Stitches update

Just popping in to give a quick up date.  This is the Tree of Stitches through Part 10.  There are a couple of sections that have beads, I haven't put those on yet.  It's starting to look more like a tree!

I had fun at my LNS last weekend pulling more threads for this design.  So far I've used silks, metallics, silk perle, cotton overdyes and silk overdyes.  It's been fun pulling it together.

Tree of Stitches

This is the Tree of Stitches by Abi Gurden that is a stitch along on the Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group that I co-moderate.  I've now done through Part 7 and I need to catch up and do Parts 8-10.  This is a very fun stitch and I'm doing each one in a different thread.  I've used silk, silk perle #12 (Subtlety from Rainbow Gallery), Kreinik metallic, and cotton overdyes.  I went to my LNS the other day and picked up some more threads and hopefully now have enough variety to finish the project.

Day & Night by Long Dog

This is a WISP (Work in Slow Progress) but I did put in a few stitches since my last update.  As you can see, not too far to go!

Socks!

I got it into my head that I really must learn to knit socks.  I've been knitting all my life it seems but had never knit a pair of socks.  I'd no idea how to do a heel flap or turn a heel but I was determined to learn.  I bought some self striping yarn (no, I didn't do all those color changes!), I watched a very good video on Knit PIcks and went from there.  I didn't use a pattern, just the video and it's all straight knit and purl.  Here's the result.

Not too bad for a first try.  However, these socks have set off a whole new addiction....sock yarn!  It is so pretty and wonderful to knit, I've now got quite a stash :-)

Celtic Cardigan

It's been a while since I updated my blog and it's also been a while since I did any knitting on this project but I've made progress since my last post.  This is the back of the cardigan and the lower part was very easy and quick to stitch.  The yoke is taking a little longer because each row is different and you can't make mistakes or the stitches won't cross properly.  However, I like the way this is turning out.

This is a picture of the yoke section a bit closer up.

Knitting

The other thing that is occupying my time is knitting!  I love to knit, especially in the winter.  I purchased the yarn for this cardigan last winter but didn't get to start it before the hot weather set in again. 

Celtic Cardigan by Oat Couture

 The yarn is by KnitPicks, Swish DK, color Clematis Heather, 100% Superwash Merino Wool.  It is a dream to knit with.

Progress as of February 9, 2011