I know - yawn worthy post once again! As I've said, it's obvious I'm obsessed.
The original design for the holly showed the berries also cross stitched but I opted to use sequins instead. The elf is part of another much bigger design and once he's damp stretched I have a little jingle bell to sew onto his hat.
The pile of yarn has grown again after this arrived in the mail yesterday.
The two smaller balls will be turned into something baby-ish (not sure what just yet) and the bigger balls are destined to be a shawl for my wheelchair-bound friend. I suspect I won't need both balls so perhaps there will be a baby project from the leftovers. At this point I must sit on my fingers and not allow them to do any peeking into yarn sites (or fabric sites for that matter!). Shhhh - I'm not tellin' you that there's a piece of kitchen-themed fabric on the way.....nope, not tellin'.......
And, just to prove that your beloved Magpie (hah....as if!) sometimes gets in over her head....I mentioned the other day that I was attempting to teach myself to do German short rows on a 2x2 rib pattern for a sweater for #1 grandson. Well....after numerous watchings of videos and numerous readings of instructions it made sense. Sort of. The sense it made, however, did not in any way translate to the sweater in question. So being of not quite sound mind and somewhat hysterical by this point, I undertook to rip out offending sweater in favour of a pattern I could handle. Several more evenings ensued as I struggled to find ends of yarn and finally Resident Chef made the ever-so-gentle suggestion that I should just cut my losses and order some more yarn. I soldiered on for at least another hour and finally got up and deposited the entire thing in the appropriate receptacle. Do I want to admit defeat....oh no...., but sometimes, as Resident Chef put it, it's better to weigh the time lost against the cost of a fresh allotment of yarn. I could have likely knit at least one other sweater in the time I took trying to figure this out. Remind me - if a pattern says German Short Rows....don't try it! Oh, and just so you know....I didn't utter even one swear word. At least not out loud.
Today's quote...."One tree can start a forest
One smile can begin a friendship
One hand can lift a soul
One word can frame the goal
One candle can wipe out darkness
One laugh can conquer gloom
One touch can show you care
One life can make a difference
Be that one today
Love those sequins on the holly--and a little jingle bell will be adorable on the elf...
ReplyDeleteNice work. Have a great weekend...hugs, Julierose
Using the sequins certainly made the stitching go faster on that one so perhaps there was a method to my madness?
DeleteSorry things didn't go as well as you hoped.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip
I am determined to try the pattern in you last post, to make a winter hat. This will be fun to see if beginner brain can handle it. :)
Not every project is a success and I think I was overdue for a debacle. Being that the yarn was a dark colour it made it almost impossible to find the ends to start tearing it out.
DeleteGood luck with the hat - hope I'll get to see pictures!
Another nice pair of cross stitches. Clever idea to use sequins as they will shine more than thread- cute grin on the elf.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of the wool disaster. Odds on, you'll find some clever way of using it later. Were I younger I'd take to the string sculptures like a duck to water. Fabulous- all of them.
I don't often throw out yarn - but that was going to hang over my head if I didn't. So...Resident Chef won out and oddly enough I don't feel too guilty about it.
DeleteI enjoyed those sculptures too - wish I could see them being created.
I was imagining a little bell on that elf's cap. :) And while I'm sorry for all your grief over trying to knit German Short Rows, I have to tell you, I found your paragraph about it entertaining. And WoWee - that artist who creates lace sculptures!!! I haven't adequate words, but I am blown away by her abilities.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough I can actually DO the German short rows in a swatch and they come out well....but....trying to translate that into working with 2x2 ribbing is a lesson in frustration. No matter what I did I ended up with holes.
DeleteI was blown away by those sculptures too and wish I could see them in person.
Wow, those sculptures blow me away.
ReplyDeleteLove the cross stitch. The jingle bell will be the perfect addition.
God bless.
I just so happened to have precisely ONE jingle bell the right size left in my stash - meant to be! And you're right - those sculptures are amazing.
DeleteWow, so many things to inspire me when I visit here. I love that Sheesha pattern and of course, these little cross stitched designs are irresistable too. I've never heard of German short rows...interesting. Today's quote is awesome!
ReplyDeleteGlad I was able to be of some inspiration! Some would say all I do is babble...hah hah.
DeleteGosh I've missed reading your blog! I have just not been blogging or reading blogs.....but I am hopefully coming back....I so enjoy my bloggy friends.....love the links!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! So nice to see you!
DeleteThe sequins make wonderful berries. Love the soft pink of the new yarn.
ReplyDeleteSequins will add a little extra sparkle too, so I can't resist adding them here and there. I've never been a huge fan of pink for myself but what's a Grandma to do?
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