Slow Crochet & a Stitch-Along | YouTube Show Notes

Greetings fellow crafters! In conjunction with my new YouTube videos, I'm going to share information on my blog that I talk about on my channel. If you haven't seen me live and in action yet, you can find my YouTube channel HERE.

Starting with the latest episode, Slow Crochet & a Stitch-Along...

What's on my hook

I'm making good progress on the Missed Kingfisher shawl by Joanne Scrace for “The Shawl Project: Book Two”, from The Crochet Project.

I am using Eden Cottage Yarns, Titus 4-ply in Rambling Rose and Oakworth 4-ply in Compost. I think it looks rather delicious! I've dubbed it the Missed Cupcake Shawl.

Also on the hook is the Peach Pocket Tunic pattern by Eline Alcocer, crocheted with King Cole Cottonsoft DK in Colour 713 Lilac.

I'm making the monthly mandalas in Simply Crochet magazine using Namolio linen threads - it gives the mandalas a completely different look to regular yarn! I usually use a 2.25mm hook or thereabouts...

So far I've finished two mandalas

And the third is underway!

New on my bookshelf is “Every Which Way Crochet Borders” by Edie Eckman. I review it in the show, it is a great addition to any crochet library!

What's in my hoop

Time to kick off the Stitch-Along! If you've never embroidered before, or if you have and just fancy an easy-peasy project, then this stitch-along is for you!

I'm using the simple Herb Embroidery design I use for teaching beginner's embroidery workshops - the design features a number of basic stitches, all used to create pretty herbs I doodled from my herb garden. You can download the pdf file in the link below:

Herbal Embroidery Pattern

I will be making short video tutorials for all the stitches we use in the design, including how to transfer a pattern to fabric, how to prepare your thread and how to do basic stitches.

All you need to get started is a 10-inch square of fabric (I'm using linen, but any fabric you can easily pull a needle and thread through will do!), an 8-inch embroidery hoop, scissors, an embroidery needle, and a selection of threads in colours you'd like to use for the flowers. I've used greens, purples, yellows and a bit of pink, Plus wee bits of white and brown...

I hope you play along, and share your creations with me! Let's hashtag them #herbembroiderySAL on social media, shall we?

Happy crafting!

Chrissie

Blog Lang Syne

*sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne”

Should long blog pauses be forgot

and never brought to mind

I’m starting fresh, with new-found zeal

and making more blog time

There’s Instagram that’s kept me close

to you while life’s so full

But I miss sharing WIPS, long chats,

and writing to you all

This brand new year I’m striving to

weekly share a post

And finish the crochet and embroidery makes

that I love the most

Thank you for reading and following

I’m so grateful, for goodness’ sake

Here’s to a joyous 2015

Now let’s all go and *make*!

Happy New Year!

Chrissie x

Stitching Sunday: The Knitting & Stitching Show

Yesterday I ventured to London to The Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace...

...where I nearly went into craft overload! There is too much to condense into one blog post, so today I’ll focus on the stitching side of the show, in keeping with Stitching Sundays. Yarn love will follow!

I boarded a train nice and early with a very dear friend, had my compulsory chai tea latte from Starbucks at Waterloo (part of my “letting go of real life” routine every time I arrive in London for fun) and hopped on the Tube to Wood Green.

Interestingly, as the Tube came nearer and nearer to the destination, the ratio of female passengers carrying crafty-looking shopping bags and wearing colourful, artsy fashions increased substantially...snippets of conversations about sewing and craft kit drifted through the car...and seated across from us were two older, colourful ladies who we figured were us in a couple decades (and I’m sure some young gals standing by the door were thinking the same about us!).

We were already having fun and we hadn’t even arrived! Ah, how a little “me” time works its magic.

What a show! Inspiration hit as soon as we crossed the threshold

And skyrocketed as we wandered through the exhibition

Within ten minutes of arriving, we were seated at Rowandean Embroidery’s Make & Take table...

...trying our hands at embroidering over organza. We were supplied with a pre-printed fabric square, then given free rein to choose organza scraps and colourful threads to layer on with easy stitches.

Pinning on the base organza square

Layering the tiny organza scraps

Adding the stitches

The long, straight stitches for the flower stems secured the organza to the fabric. How do ya like those French knots? I learned some good tips, which I will share very soon...

This took about half an hour, then we bundled up our projects to finish at home.

Here is my finished piece – with my feeble attempt to take a photo in the in the grey light of a rainy English autumn day (I really must find some tutorials for taking photos during dark winter months, or everything will have this dull cast until spring!)

We walked and walked, admired and shopped

Threads galore! 

Liberty love

I love the 3D birch tree 

I bought this fabulous spring-loaded embroidery hoop – no tugging fabric and tightening screws here!

I bought a little cross stitch kit from The Cross Stitch Guild.

It is high time I learned to cross stitch (all that counting and following of a pattern intimidates me!). I was so keen to buy about half a dozen beautiful, complicated cross stitch projects here, I’m a sucker for natural linen tones and soft thread colours, but luckily my friend encouraged me to start with a beginner’s kit and work my way up. I tend to put the cart before the horse with a lot of projects...

In addition to all the exhibitors selling their wares, the show highlighted artists’ work with threads and yarn.

I was very intrigued by these mini galleries, and it set this exhibition apart from other craft shows I’ve attended. It was wonderful to see the crafts on a contemporary, truly artistic level.

One mini gallery showcased historical and modern crewelwork. Unfortunately, photography wasn’t allowed, but I was able to speak to a woman who was working on a piece of crewelwork, and after our conversation I was inspired to try my hand at it!

This little kit is from Sue Hawkins – her beautiful stall was chock full of tapestry, cross stitch, crewelwork, stumpwork...all in subtle shades and lovely fabrics.

And speaking of stumpwork, our favourite little stall, from the Embroiderers’ Guild, enchanted us with the most delicate stumpwork flora and fauna from this book

I was gutted that photography wasn’t permitted, because these were the most beautiful, perfect, delicate stitches I found at the show. The woman who created them was there, sitting at a table with tiny stumpwork acorns and leaves that I very nearly begged to take home! So I simply must buy this book and learn to do stumpwork.

Hmmm, I really am living up to my tagline, aren’t I? Life is most definitely one big WIP...

Thank you for reading my very lengthy ramblings today - time for a nice hot cup of tea!

Chrissie x

Recognition

We all need a little recognition sometimes

Bunny leaves little notes around the house for me

to know that our efforts are appreciated

Little Flower told her pre-school teacher, "I love all my mum's meals!"

that the little things we do mean a lot

all it takes is a little gesture

to know that our hard work every day, our brainstorming, our crafty efforts are all worthwhile

that these are the little things that make a home

a sweet home.

Today I give recognition to Jooles for her beautiful buntings, including the one in my kitchen pictured above,

to Heather for her lovely vintage hearts that make me smile,

and vanilla squirrel for the dear little owl that brings Bunny sweet dreams at night.

Who deserves your recognition today?

Chrissie x