Weekly Update

I'm getting bored working on the same one or two projects all the time, so I've decided to try something new.  Since I do so many different types of needlework, I figure that if I keep one project for each type of needlework out I should have enough variety to keep from getting bored and still actually finish things occasionally. It should make the blog a bit more interesting to look at as well. So, I plan to have one each of the following types of projects going at all times: crochet, cross stitch, knitting, blackwork, Swedish weaving, quilting, and finishing.

For my Swedish weaving project, I'm still working on the Feathers To and Fro afghan from Learn to Make Monk’s Cloth Afghans by Marilyn T. Magly. I got a little bit done on it this week.

My current quilting project is still Batik Cascade (Batik Go-Round) by Karen Combs.  I got the 3rd row done and sewn to the first 2 rows.

For my cross stitch project, I pulled out Brilliant Butterfly Celebration from The Gold Collection by Dimensions again. You can see how far I'd gotten on it last time here. The first square section is completely done now, backstitching and all.

I haven't pulled out any crochet, knitting, or blackwork projects yet, but I have plenty of UFOs to choose from. I have a finishing project in mind, but I have to wait for next payday before I can buy supplies.

Weekly Update - Bright Feathers & Barefoot Summer Days, UFO - Brilliant Butterfly Celebration

I finally decided I'd had enough of Bright Feathers, so I've relegated it to the UFO pile. Here's what I had done before I put it away.

I got 2 strips done and joined together on Barefoot Summer Days, a scrap afghan designed by Kathy Wesley, and nearly finished another strip.

The strips are crocheted together rather than sewn.

I also picked up another cross stitch UFO. It's Brilliant Butterfly Celebration from The Gold Collection by Dimensions. I couldn't find out who designed it, so if anyone happens to know please tell me.

Here's what I'd already had done on it when I took it out yesterday.

Unfortunately, I discovered that I had missed one column of stitches in the first metallic section, so I had to frog everything to the right of that.

Here's what I got done yesterday.

 

Finished - Dishcloths & UFO - Tech Support

I finished 2 dishcloths. That’s all I’m going to do for now.

I wanted another small, simple project to work on along with Bright Feathers (note to self: never design such a big, boring-to-stitch pattern again), so I picked up yet another UFO: Tech Support, a design by Linda Connors of Calico Crossroads®, adapted from the artwork of Kathleen Kelly of Kats by Kelly™.

Here’s what I had already done on it:

Weekly Update - Bright Feathers & Tiny Stockings

I’m a day late posting this because I ended up sleeping most of yesterday, and I’m still playing catch up.

My progress so far on Bright Feathers:

And on one of the Tiny Stockings designed by Jorja Hernandez:

Weekly Update - Bright Feathers & UFO - Tiny Stockings

Here’s what I got done on Bright Feathers this week.

I didn’t get any work done on the Fluffy Shawl. Since it’s September already, I figured that as my progress has been so slow I should put the shawl away and get started on Christmas gifts. I’ll continue to work on Bright Feathers as well.

I pulled out a kit that I’ve had lying around for years, the Tiny Stockings ornaments designed by Jorja Hernandez. Despite the fact that she’s designed many patterns for most of the major publishers, I can’t find a website for Ms. Hernandez. If anyone knows of one, please tell me in the comments.

I was surprised to find that I had 2 of the stockings already stitched, cut out, pinned, and ready to sew together.

According to the pattern, you’re supposed to cut out a cardboard insert and batting, make monk’s cord out of some of the floss, and sew all that together between the stitched aida and felt. I decided that was way too much work, so I’m just sewing the felt and aida together and using some sparkly red Kreinik braid for the hanger.

I finished one of the stockings today. I think I need to remake my template, because it didn’t come out quite as stocking-shaped as I would like.

I also started stitching the stocking that says “Merry Christmas”. I broke the rules again by cutting the fabric before stitching it (the pattern wants you to stitch all the stockings first, then cut them out), because I didn’t feel like dealing with a huge piece of fabric.

Weekly Update - Bright Feathers & UFO - Fluffy Shawl

I finally finished the first star! Now I just have three more to do.

If I don’t mix things up I’m going to go insane, so I decided to work on one of my knitting UFOs concurrently with Bright Feathers. I plan to cross stitch for at least an hour, and then spend the rest of my needlework time knitting.

I pulled out a simple triangular shawl done in plain stockinette with a novelty yarn. The yarn is a furry acrylic yarn that I picked up ages ago in the dollar bin at Target. I’m holding two strands together – one grey and one lilac – and plan to just keep knitting until I run out of yarn. The measuring tape shows what had already been done. I only did one row today, so I won’t bother with an update until next week.

Weekly Update - Tree Frog Trio

The Tree Frog Trio was designed by Royce B. McClure.

I finished the “hear no evil” frog this week and started on the “speak no evil” frog. This project is going so quickly that I fully expect the stitching to be done by next week.

I discovered after I had finished the 2nd frog that I wasn’t going to have enough of the 2 shades of gray thread to finish the 3rd (a pox on all kits that don’t include enough materials!). Fortunately, the frogs are separated enough from each other that I can substitute DMC floss for those 2 grays in the 3rd frog and the slight color difference shouldn’t be too obvious.

Bored, Switching Projects

Like most needleworkers, I get bored easily and frequently switch projects or start new projects. Yesterday, I got bored with crocheting so I switched to a cross stitch project.

So far on the Morning Glory afghan designed by Michele Maks I have 12 purple flowers out of the 24 needed for the project (this is the correct number – I made an error in the original post). I also have 11 blue flowers out of 28, one of which needs the ends woven in, plus one that isn’t finished yet.

I’ve completed the embroidery on the 1st panel and have sewn on 3 of the flowers.

I’ve picked up another UFO to work on. It’s the adorable Tree Frog Trio by Royce B. McClure.  Here’s the original illustration that this design is based on: No Evil Frogs.

Here’s what I had done before starting work on it again yesterday.

 

Weekly Update - Morning Glory Afghan

The Morning Glory afghan was designed by Michele Maks.

I finished the crocheting on the 2nd panel this week.

 

I also got some more embroidery done on the 1st panel.

This morning I did 6 purple flowers and 2 blue flowers. As you can see, I still have to weave in the ends on the blue flowers.

UFO - Morning Glory Afghan

After 3 months of cross stitch, I’m ready for a change, so I’m switching to crochet for a bit. I’ve picked up one of my UFOs, the beautiful Morning Glory Afghan by Michele Maks. It was published in the March-April 1991 issue of Annie’s Crochet Newsletter. It measures 65”x78” and consists of crocheting, appliqué, and embroidery, so it’s quite a project.

I’d never kept track of the time spent on my needlework before starting this blog, so I have no idea when I started this project or how long I’ve worked on it. However, here’s what I have done so far.

The afghan consists of 4 panels. Each panel starts with 14 squares which are sewn together to form a strip. Then, one crochets along the edge of the strip.

After the panel is crocheted, it’s embroidered with cross stitches and lazy daisy stitches. I still have some embroidery left to do on the 1st panel.

After the panel is embroidered, then leaves and flowers are crocheted.

Two leaves are sewn to the back of each flower, and the entire unit is then sewn to the panel.

I need 28 blue flowers total for the afghan. I’ve done 8, 2 of which are sewn to leaves.

I need 28 purple flowers total. I’ve done 6, 1 of which is sewn to leaves.

I need 104 leaves. I’ve done 27.

I’ve also started a 2nd panel.

After the panels are completely done, they’re sewn together. Then another strip of squares is made and sewn to the edge of the afghan. Finally, a border is crocheted around the entire piece.

I’ve kept to the original colors for the most part, which is unusual for me. Normally, the first thing I do is change the colors. The only change I’ve made on this piece was to do the background in a light grey rather than the off white called for in the pattern so that it wouldn’t show dirt as easily.