Magic Squares

Each block in this rug consists of 4 squares. The first row of each square forms 2 sides, with a decrease in the middle of every second row. The final row is only 3 stitches. I like the effect of the different coloured squares.

Work in Progress Wednesday

On my sewing machine, I'm working on these machine-embroidered tote bags. The middle fabric is the lining.

I've put a few more stitches on my hand embroidery piece:

And my knitting project is progressing:

Work in Progress Wednesday

I am currently doing my first Craftsy class - Carol Ann Waugh's Stupendous Stitching - and exploring the many built-in stitches on my Husqvarna Epic. Definitely more to do but I'm happy with what I've done so far - and I'm getting to use some of my hand-dyed fabric:

I've done a few more (more than 100) stitches on the Pebbly Beach, although it's hard to see the difference from last week - and there are still plenty more to go:

And another 2 squares of my blanket finished - only 38 to go:

Work in Progress Wednesday

I've been having fun in my craft room lately using up scraps of fabric. I'm pleased with these pieces, particularly the aqua ones, which I'll make up into cushions:

I seem to have been working on this embroidery forever - well, at least for most of this year. I don't know why I thought it would be a good idea to fill in the entire background with French knots.

It is also taking me a long time to knit this blanket - I started it last year - but I only have 2 strips (40 squares to go). It might get finished this year . . . if the weather doesn't get too hot too quickly.

Winter knitting

John chose the wool for this jumper but, when I went to make it, I realised that I didn't have enough to make a jumper for him. So I made it up in a smaller size but no-one else in the family wanted it. I eventually found a home for it.

This scarf was a big change from the jumper - a bright, cheerful colour, quick and easy to make (I did it in one evening) and no sewing up at the end. And my friend, Wanda, was very happy with it when I gave it to her as a birthday present.

Winter warmer

With spring just around the corner (although it's bitterly cold today), I've finally finished this jumper, which I've been working on for a few months, and given it to my son for his birthday. Oh well, I'm sure he'll find it useful next winter. :)

Jodie's socks

Some years ago, I knitted a pair of socks - just because it was something I hadn't done before - and gave to my niece Jodie, who likes to wear warm socks on winter evenings. She recently mentioned that her husband had rudely referred to the my hand-knitted socks as her clown socks. Well, that sent me off in search of the brightly coloured sock yarns, although they didn't actually looked quite as lairy once they were knitted up.

Jodie was very pleased to receive a couple of extra pairs of socks - she liked the pink and grey ones best.

This week in my studio

Experimenting with mouldable stamps:

Making poppies and daisies:

Making a cord on my marudai:

Knitting socks, despite the very warm (i.e. hot) weather:

More cushions

My daughter-in-law asked for some cushions for her birthday. She only mentioned it two weeks before her birthday but she was happy to wait a while. I then forgot to photograph them before I gave them to her and it's taken months for me to get photos - but here they are at last.

The two in the first photo are a plain yarn and a feathery yarn knitted together.

These are knitted, needle-felted and machine embroidered.

Knit, felt, stitch

I made these cushions by firstly knitting together three yarns: a 5-ply wool, a feather-type yarn and an eyelash-type yarn. I then needle-felted the knitted piece and finished it off with free motion machine embroidery.

I worked swirls all over this one.

For this one, I just stitched wavy lines horizontally and vertically but then added cords made by crocheting the three yarns plus a gold yarn together.

It's summer and . . .

I've just finished this jumper for John. He was reluctant to pose in it - the current temperature is 26C - and is wearing shorts with it. However, I'm sure he'll appreciate it when the mercury plummets below zero.

I started making the jumper mid-winter but I'm either slow at knitting or don't watch enough television - I only knit while watching television. I don't do a lot of knitting and I don't see it as a particularly creative activity but I really missed it when I couldn't do it for a few years. I think, for me, knitting is chewing gum for the hands.

Winter warmer

Although the days are mostly warm and sunny, the evenings are getting cooler and winter is definitely on the way and I've been knitting most evenings. Emma liked this cardigan, mainly because she loves buttons. (She also likes sitting on the window sill because it's just the right height for her.)

Knitting

Late last year, I decided to dust off my knitting needles and try some knitting. This basket weave rug is the result. I knitted it in one piece on a circular needle, so it wasn't the best project for a hot summer but it was very easy to do and very relaxing while watching television.

Beanie baby

I'm now allowed to use my hand and it didn't take long for me to pull out the knitting needles and whip up this little beanie for Emma.