TAST - Knotted Loop Stitch

Here are my samples for TAST week 2 - knotted loop stitch. See here for more details on the challenge and how to do this stitch.

(above) Of course, I tried a circle, spiral, whipped, laced, varying the size and placement of the stitches, and combining it with other stitches. I was most pleased with the knots I was able to create (below) by working the stitch singly and very tiny. The darker green knots are french knots show to demonstrate how much smaller and closer to the fabric these ones are.

I must say I am smitten.

Most of my work is done on things that are worn and washed, and I think these little knots will stand up to that kind of wear much better than french knots. If anyone knows the name for them please leave a comment. I'm sure it's been invented before but I couldn't find it on my stitch book.

I like to make things more complicated (so says my husband anyway!) so I made this picture below out of knotted loop stitches. There are a couple of straight stitches thrown on for good measure as I felt I needed more density of color after the knotted loop stitches were in place.

I've always lived near the mountains, and I have such a nostalgic affection for them. I look up at them every day and think how amazing this world is.

vs.



via wordle.

Friday Links! Leprechauns!

Today, a list of links to use as educational resources in case you need to 'splain to someone about leprechauns. Who knows when you might need this.

Leprechauns up to mischief at wee folk art (I love this blog). Be sure to check out all 8+ days of mischief.

Oh, my, this family really has a leprechaun problem! This is from last year, I wonder what's going to happen this year.

Maybe they should look at building one of these leprechaun traps! They look well engineered.... I wonder what they would do if they really caught one!

And last, but not least, May the wind be at your backside.... an oh so funny remake of the Irish Blessing.

Stitch Sampler Ideas

Here is handy list for things to try with a new stitch.

Things to try with stitches:

curved, spiral, circle.

couching.

layering it on top of itself.

layering with other stitches.

whipped.

different thread.

fill a space with it.

woven?

open vs. closed

vary size

spacing and angles

Feel free to add your ideas in the comments.

Happy Stitching.

Diamond Stitch - Take a Stitch Tuesday

Here are the samples I worked up for the very first TAST - Take A Stitch Tuesday. A new stitch is posted every Tuesday and then you spend some time playing with it and post your results. I will try to get photos on Saturdays and post them as soon as I can. That's the hardest part for me, so wish me luck!

All right, diamond stitch. I started working a 4 inch square sampler on felted wool.

I was delighted with the star - I've been looking for a way to stitch a 9 pointed star (a Baha'i symbol) for a while now and I think I've found a good stitch for it.

I really liked the argyle look of diamond stitch on top of itself (right), and couching with it (left) has potential.

Next I got this silly little idea of stitching green thumbs on some garden gloves! I like the look of it but I think I will choose a stitch that is more attached to the fabric (if you know what I mean) for this for durability. I liked the idea of this stitch because it is stretchy and I can see lots off applications for it in garment making where stretchy stitches are needed.

And then I got this idea to stitch on my apron. Aprons and embroidery are both symbols of domesticity so this is a comment on that. I think I will do a lot of sampling on this apron and see where the project takes me. The first sample here is whipped diamond stitch and the second is playing with the size of the elements. I really love the look of alternating small and large sections.

And then a band on the top of the apron.

My thinking is to add to this band with other stitches as time goes on.

I'm already beginning to regret using such bright colors, but I'm sure I'll be bale to tone them down with the next row of stitches.

And finally, I couldn't resist a small patch of french knots. I saw this on a blog somewhere for using up the last bits of leftover thread and I think it's kind of pretty. I'm adding to it already.

I can't wait to see what other people have done with this versatile stitch.

Friday Links

Here are some interesting links found this week.

Alabama skirt. This is an absolutely gorgeous project.

Graphic Design. The basics all on one page. I have zero art training, and I found this little article on design principles quite helpful.

Here's an interesting project I stumbled upon. Maybe a good place to send all that extra brown thread you bought by accident.

So, I bought the book from last weeks list. And here's the website, I think I'll be spending a bunch of time (virtually) with Summer Pierre.

I've been working on prototypes for a new project for my shop - green thumb gardening gloves! I just thought up the green thumb part today on my lunch break and it makes me want to clap like a little girl. Seriously, though, I hope to have these listed in the store soon - tomorrow if all goes well. I'll post something on here about it, too.

I'm also working on a huge blog post with some covert stitching I did in January and February that I can now show you. Lots and lots of pictures to go through first, though. It's eye candy, though and I think you'll like it.

Also sometime this weekend I should have a post up about TAST - Take a stitch tuesday which I've been playing with this week. I promise pictures in that one, too.

Phewph! I even tire myself out!

Red Petal Onesie. Stitching Love.

This was the scene at my house Saturday. I woke early to get the most out of that precious quiet time when the house is still before everyone else wakes up. Stitching and reading. It makes me smile just thinking about it.

I was in progress with a onesie for a baby I know (not Anya, sorry, Jessica). I appliqued a pale yellow base - an old work shirt that I loved the color of but didn't fit me really well, and red petals from an old sweatshirt of my daughter's (also used on this project).


You can see some petals stitched and cut out and some in the process of being stitched. I stitched the petals first, then the background fabric and then embellished with more surface embroidery. I was too impatient to wait and cut everything out after it was stitched, so I stitched 3 and then cut.


And here is a shot of the finished shirt (below). You can't see, but there are green and yellow stitches on the background. Once I did those I felt the petals looked a little plain, hence the stitching there. Next time I do this shirt I'll be a little simpler with the embellishing. I wasn't entirely happy with the stitches in the petals, but it was colorful and pretty for a little girl, so I left it (plus I was running out of time).

Anyone care to leave a comment with suggestions for stitches for the petals (this is feather stitch)? I have another onesie and am thinking of doing this design again.

I might go super simple and ditch the yellow background next time around. I don't think it added that much to the overall design. I can't wait to see it on it's new owner ... it's a little big still, though.

I'm also thinking of making my own baby t-shirt pattern up instead of using bought onesies to give myself more flexibility in the design. Working around the pattern already on the shirt was a pain in the butt. They'd be fairly quick to sew up due to the small size and could probably be made from one large adult t-shirt. I could see making a tonne of these once I've got the pattern right.