Wednesday works in progress update #9 for 2023

 It looks like it's been a bit since I've done a WIP update.  I've had something in mind, but keep backing out of doing it, so that's why ... Yes, I'm mysterious. 

I've had the last few days off work and have been enjoying them.  House stuff has been caught up so that means time for vegging out and watching Fr. Brown and working on my knit and cross stitch projects a bit. 

When I'm not napping.  

Just kidding, I don't nap that much.  

In the last couple of weeks I've started a few new sock projects, a new cross stitch project and I've kitted up a few other projects, so to speak. 

My handspun.

Definitely a work in progress, despite my finishing it up this past weekend. Last night I decided I'm going to use it to make a cardigan. Specifically, the Bly cardigan by Berroco yarns. 

Photo is from Berroco's website. 

I decided I wanted to make something on the more easy side.  This seems perfect. 

Picture this pile of squishyness in a cozy cardi. 

I'll start this as soon as I get a few skeins wound up in to yarn cakes. Wish me luck! 

First sock project is my Monkey socks by Cookie A. 

Project Name: Monkey Socks
Started: Nov. 12, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: knitty.com

Yarn: Forbidden Fiber Co.

Colorway: Tale as old as time, on the Fortitude base.

Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself. 

Yarn is a pleasure to work with. 

Next up is a vanilla sock

Project Name: Vanilla sock
Started: Nov. 13, 2023

Finished: 

Yarn: Patons Kroy sock yarn

Colorway: Amythest stripes

Colors: dark purples.

Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself. 

I started this project up for the times where I want to knit, but don't want to think of a pattern repeat. You can see I've got a LOT done on this sock so far. 

Up next is another Vanilla sock

Project Name: Vanilla sock
Started: Nov. 18, 2023

Finished: 

Yarn: Patons Kroy sock yarn

Colorway: Coastal stripes

Colors: variations of blue and some white or grey.

Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself. 

I started this sock on a 9 or 11 inch chiaogoo mini twist. I recently started watching the Knitting Traditions podcast on Youtube, and she mentioned making socks on the small circs and I thought I would give it another try.  So far it hasn't been as tough as I remember. 

Cross stitch ... 

I started a new cross stitch project. A few weeks ago I saw Javagirl Stitches pop on with a new youtube video and an announcement of a new stitch-along and I fell in love with the Quilted Cross Stitch charts, despite my already having christmas charts to work on. 

*sigh* I was SO enabled. 

So I went to walmart and picked up some 18 count adia and dyed it myself.  I wrote about it not long ago. It turned out so lovely. 

Started: Nov. 15, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Emily Call Designs

Fabric: Charles craft aida cloth 18 count I dyed myself. Purchased at walmart.

DMC floss in called for colors

Blanc, 168, 469, 3712, 3045, 816, 310

Needle Size: 26

Made For: Myself. 

I'm not sure if I've worked on my snowflake cross stitch since I last shared it. So I'm sharing again, possibly. 

Project Name: #723 Snowflake

Started: Jan. 1, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Tiny Cross Stitches

Fabric: Aida cloth 14 count Hobby Lobby Zweigart. Aida has silver threads running through it. 

DMC floss in called for colors

747 ; 964 ; 995 ; 996 ; 3756 ; 3761 ; 3843 ; 3846 ; B5200

Colors: blues

Needle Size: 26

Made For: Myself. I've decided I'm keeping it for myself.  I told my husband that when it is done, I'm putting it on display year-round. 

It looks like I have done a smidge of work on it. 

Quilty stuff ... 

I haven't done any actual sewing on the two quilts I've had going. I'm cutting fabric.  If you are a quilter you know that cutting and prepping the fabric can take a good long time.  

I feel like I've been working forever on cutting fabric for my Dancing Stars quilt. I really need to make a hashtag for this one. 

I didn't look to see how many more fat quarter bundles I need to cut up.  Feels like a hundred. It's probably four or five.  Each bundle takes about an hour to cut.  I've been working on a bundle at night while watching "The Mindy Project" or "Burn Notice." 

Last night I decided to switch over and cut up some fabric for the sandpiper quilt. 

Project Name: Sandpiper quilt

Started: Jan. 21, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: It's Sew Emma / Fat Quarter Shop

Fabric: Fabric from the Solid Fat Quarter Club

Colors: A different color palette each month.

Made For: Myself

I think I have four more squares to cut for on this quilt. Then I can start assembling.

I have a feeling January is when these two quilts are going to see a significant amount of love. 

Future projects ... 

I decided I'm going to make another Harvest cardigan.  The last one I made I made using carons simply soft. That yarn, combined with my lack of knowing how to care for big handknits like this, cause the cardigan to stretch out. It looked awful.  

I'm going to use acrylic again, but this time I'm using a hobby lobby yarn, and I won't be throwing it in the dryer. 

I purchased this yarn about a year ago. I think it's going to look great. 

Started: Soon

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Tin Can Knits 

Yarn: Hobby Lobby "I love this yarn"

Colors: Cinnamon Cedar

Needle Size: US #6 / 4mm & US #8 / 5mm

Made For: myself. 

This pretty yarn is going to be made in to something very soon, too. I saw a amigugrumi in a facebook group and decided I had yarn in stash that would be perfect for it. 

It will be a gift for someone.  Not saying who just yet. 

That is all in my bag of tricks, friend. Tomorrow is the big turkey day. We are planning on smoking a turkey (so yummy). My son will be working.  My hubby will be working on some projects he's been wanting to do for a while, and I'll likely be puttering in the kitchen and knitting when I'm not in the kitchen. 

So, until then, happy Thanksgiving to all of you! 

Weekend fun

 But first, can I say that this was basically me and my hubby this morning? 

The morning after Daylight Savings end is always tough.   I was so bleary-eyed this morning. 

Okay. That out of the way ... 

Weekend fun was had. 

My husband and I decided to try making venison hot dogs this weekend. 

So tasty! 

Saturday I got a bee in my bonnet to dye some aida cloth. 

I purchased a mess of RIT dyes within the last year.  I'm getting braver about dying aida cloth.  Even though it's so easy there's still the "What if I mess it up?" thoughts. 

I threw on a tutorial from the Housewives to make sure I remembered how to do it correctly. 

When I poured the dye out of the bottle I had a bit of a start.  The dye came out greenish instead of the expected light brown color. 

After a stir it looked okay, and I started out with a small amount of color.  I had something in mind. 

Then I decided to try something that may make my dyer friends cringe.  I placed the pan on top of the wood stove, to heat up the fabric and set the dye. 

It worked! 

I have a cross stitch project in mind for this piece of fabric. 

While the fabric was cooking on the stove I decide to be brave and pull out the pieces of my crochet cardigan and started pinning it together. 

I rewatched the craftsy class videos and the gal's method of seaming the pieces together made more sense the second time I watched.  Basically it was a double whip stitch to seam everything together. 

The cardigan has been receiving attention each night. 

Tonite I stitched the ribbing on the bottom. 

I'm getting so close to the completion of this piece. Up next is the collar and the button band. 

Before I sign off for the night I want to share a couple photos of the Christmas cactus I have. It was purchased at Aldi's a few years ago.  It bloomed the first year.  This summer I had it outside and it grew a lot more segments.  It came back in to the house about a month ago. 

It's sitting on the back of the toilet.  I figured it was one of the best places in the house for it, and it bloomed for me. 

It's full of blooms now. 

The "big snow" we had last week; it's all gone.  Temps have risen past the freezing point and most everything melted.  What didn't melt was washed away by the rain that started on Sunday.  

Rain! Blech! 

Valentine Day SAL Finally Finished (FFO)

Look what I finished today! 

Oh my gosh! Isn't it adorable?! 
 

I used an orphan quilt square for the backing. 

I also put a ribbon loop on top so I can hang it where ever I want. 

Project Name: Happy Valentine's Day SAL Chart is only available in the group. 

Started: Jan. 1, 2023

Finished: Jan. 7, 2023

Designer/Source: Cherry Hilly Stitchery Chart is only available in the group. 

Fabric: 14 count aida I dyed aquamarine 

Floss: Called for DMC and recommended DMC for the substitutions for fancy floss.

B5200 ; 310 ; 321 ; 3345 ; C816 (A floss I included in case I want to add a bit of sparkle

Stitch count: 77w x 58 h

Size: 4 5/6”w x 3 5/8”h on 16ct/equivalent.

Needle Size: size 26

What else did I do today? 

I cut up some fabric for a quilt. 

This will be a year-long project.  I'm signed up for the fat quarter solids club through Fat quarter shop, and I'm going to make a block a month. 

I had a hard time understanding the cutting instructions at first.  It's been ages since I cut pieces for a quilt. 

I stared at it a few minutes and then it clicked. A ha! 

I cut up the fabric I picked up for the background, sashing, border, etc. 

And discovered I'm short on fabric.  I don't know if told the person the wrong amount to cut, or if I got shorted. The person didn't seem to know what they were doing, so ... Yeah ... So I'll have to get a bit more fabric for the borders. 

First Works In Progress post of the year

 I had the first week of January off.  That was good, except for having to deal with the snow.  

When I went back to work it basically hit me sideways in a sneak attack of tech issues, a surprise early deadline, and a last minute "Hey, this needs to get into the paper." 

I was so mentally drained each day that I didn't do much of anything except sit and watch television. 

When I did work on something I mostly worked on the Inspired by Joy blanket

I finished part two this past weekend.  Or, maybe Friday. ... 

I love how it's turning out.  I'm learning new things.  I will say (and this may be unpopular) I am not very keen on the way the crochet-along videos are done.  The host goes too fast for me and he's going with different colors so I'm having a hard time figuring out some of what he's doing, because he decides to do color changes when the pattern doesn't call for it. 

Project Name: Inspired by Joy

Started: Dec. 26, 2022

Finished: 

Designer/Source: The Crochet Crowd

Yarn:

Color A - Red Heart - White

Color B - Caron One Pound - Rose 

Color C - Caron Jumbo - Rosewood

Colors: white and rose colors with hints of green.

Required Amount: I purchased two skeins of each color

Needle/Hook Size: 5.5 mm /  I/9

Gauge: beats me ; pattern calls for 13 dc x 6 rows = 4″ [10 cm]

Made For: Myself, maybe

Dye Lots: Will find that out later.

I haven't touched Edna since I last wrote. 

I did a bit of work on my #723 snowflake cross stitch

Marking a grid on the fabric has been immensely helpful. Especially with the bit of confetti stitches within the pattern. I was working on this a bit last night, and thought this snowflake would probably look fantastic in all white on black fabric. Or, maybe a silver thread? 

Project Name: #723 Snowflake

Started: Jan. 1, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Tiny Cross Stitches

Fabric: Aida cloth 14 count Hobby Lobby Zweigart. Aida has silver threads running through it. 

DMC floss in called for colors

747 ; 964 ; 995 ; 996 ; 3756 ; 3761 ; 3843 ; 3846 ; B5200

Colors: blues

Needle Size: 26

Made For: Myself

Last weekend I started a new chart from Stitching with the Housewives

Project Name: Month to Month - February

Started: Jan. 15, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: https://www.etsy.com/shop/stitchinghousewives

Fabric: Aida cloth 14 count Hobby Lobby Zweigart.

Floss: Using called for Classic Colorworks fancy floss

Colors: Black, pink, red, teal, green

Needle Size: 26

Made For: Myself

I'm trying to decide if I like working with fancy floss or not. The black color keeps knotting up on me. I've worked a little with Forbidden Fiber Co floss previously and it was a joy to work with.  

I haven't touched my spinning wheel yet this month. 

I completed the chart for my Valentine's stitch.  

I'm happy with how it turned out.  I still need to FFO it.  I'm thinking of making it into a pillow. Hopefully, I will FFO it this week. 

Project Name: Happy Valentine's Day SAL Chart is only available in the group. 

Started: Jan. 1, 2023

Finished: Jan. 7, 2023

Designer/Source: Cherry Hilly Stitchery Chart is only available in the group. 

Fabric: 14 count aida I dyed aquamarine 

Floss: Called for DMC and recommended DMC for the substitutions for fancy floss.

B5200 ; 310 ; 321 ; 3345 ; C816 (A floss I included in case I want to add a bit of sparkle

Stitch count: 77w x 58 h

Size: 4 5/6”w x 3 5/8”h on 16ct/equivalent.

Needle Size: size 26

I started a pair of socks. I've worked on the first sock mostly in the car and for minutes at a time in the early a.m. 

I have 6.5" of the leg completed.  About 1.5" more and I can start the heel flap. 

Project Name: Vanilla socks

Started: Jan. 7, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: My own pattern

Yarn: Patons Kroy sock yarn

Colorway: Mexicala stripes

Colors: oranges, red, purples and a smatter of blue and white

Required Amount: Two skeins of sock yarn. 100 grams

Needle/Hook Size: U.S. 1 (2.25 mm)

Gauge: beats me

Made For: Myself

Dye Lots: WL238520

On other news, I've collected them all! I think. Back on New Year's Eve I decided to put an order in on Hobby Lobby.com, to fill the gaps of the colors I didn't have. Hobby Lobby's website had a "Free shipping" promo if you bought $40 or more. I still had to pay a $3 shipping company surcharge, or whatever it was called.  I wasn't too happy about that. And I'm even more annoyed I had to pay it because it took two weeks for the DMC floss to be delivered. 

This is a few skeins over 100 skeins.  Doesn't seem very impressive in the bag. 

Then I spread them out and took a photo. 

Much prettier. Too bad I can't display them in such a manner. 

I spent the evening sorting and organizing the floss in my collection that wasn't already kitted up with a chart. 

I should have all the colors in the collection, save a few of the etoile and most of the DMC floss that is "fancy" pearlescent, and the like. 

I've been thinking hard about how to organize the floss so I can easily tell if I have a skein of this or that.  Previously I've been using the sew sampler boxes and putting a portion of the collection in a box.  I am still digging through skeins and skeins of floss to find a particular one.  Definitely too much time. 

I asked in a Facebook group how people stored their floss, and I did some looking online. 

I finally settled on flossaway bags and stackable tote containers. 

This is maybe half of the flosses. I had to order more bags.  This is going to work so much better than my old system. 

A quiet start to the new year

 I made it to just after 11 p.m., I think.  It was later than I thought I'd be up. So ... go me? 

Someone decided to call my husband's phone at 2 a.m., and it freaked me out.  You know late night phone calls like that are usually not good. The caller ID said it was from Jean, Nevada. I don't know anyone from that area. So I didn't answer it. Then checked my phone to make sure no one had tried to call me.

Once my heart rate slowed down I was able to fall back to sleep and sleep until just before 8. 

It's been a nice quiet day.  I've been busy, though. 

I decided to dye up some aida fabric and grid another piece of aida fabric.  Then I figured I'd write this blog post.  It will only have current WIPs.  If I decided to post the things I want to start, too, this would probably take me several hours. 

Cue the triumphant trumpets. ... or something like that. 

Everyone remembers Edna? 

Project Name: Edna goes to brunch

Started: early July 2022

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Lindy Stitches

Fabric: 32 count Mint Splash Lugana by Zweigart

Floss: I'm using the called-for colors in DMC

Stitch count: 133 x 96s

Size: 8.3" x 6"

Needle Size: size 28

Yes, I'm still plodding along.  Counting every stitch. I'm pretty close to finishing page 1 of 2. 

I was keeping the project on my Hope stand when I wasn't working on it. However, I noticed some dust from the wood stove was landing on the fabric.  Now it lives in a project bag I made last year. 

Next up is the Inspired by Joy crochet blanket.  I'm following the tutorials by Mikey of the Crochet crowd. 

Project Name: Inspired by Joy

Started: Dec. 26, 2022

Finished: 

Designer/Source: The Crochet Crowd

Yarn:

Color A - Red Heart - White

Color B - Caron One Pound - Rose 

Color C - Caron Jumbo - Rosewood

Colors: white and rose colors with hints of green.

Required Amount: I purchased two skeins of each color

Needle/Hook Size: 5.5 mm /  I/9

Gauge: beats me ; pattern calls for 13 dc x 6 rows = 4″ [10 cm]

Made For: Myself, maybe

Dye Lots: Will find that out later.

This is a crochet-along.  First part was released on Dec. 26, and the rest of the parts will be released on the following Mondays.  This is my first time doing something other than easy crochet.  It's been a trip. Took me a lot longer than I thought to finish the first part.  The pattern has a lot of texture in it, and then the first part there was a bit of a goof in the tutorial, so I had to discern what he was trying to explain, without actually seeing it. It's giving my brain a bit of a work out. 

When I'm not working on it, it's living in a tote. 

Up next is a cross stitch chart I recently purchased from Etsy. 

Project Name: #723 Snowflake

Started: Jan. 1, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Tiny Cross Stitches

Fabric: Aida cloth 14 count Hobby Lobby Zweigart. Aida has silver threads running through it. 

DMC floss in called for colors

747 ; 964 ; 995 ; 996 ; 3756 ; 3761 ; 3843 ; 3846 ; B5200

Colors: blues

Needle Size: 26

Made For: Myself

I took the time to grid this fabric up with a fabric marker that disappears with water.  I spent some time on youtube looking for ways to grid fabric and came across this gal's tutorial. Her youtube handle is Stitching Jules. 

The floss is so pretty all mini-skeined up. 

Project Name: Happy Valentine's Day SAL Chart is only available in the group. 

Started: Jan. 1, 2023

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Cherry Hilly Stitchery Chart is only available in the group. 

Fabric: 14 count aida I dyed aquamarine 

Floss: Called for DMC and recommended DMC for the substitutions for fancy floss.

B5200 ; 310 ; 321 ; 3345 ; C816 (A floss I included in case I want to add a bit of sparkle

Stitch count: 77w x 58 h

Size: 4 5/6”w x 3 5/8”h on 16ct/equivalent.

Needle Size: size 26

I originally thought I'd stitch this on white aida.  Then I saw someone's photo in the group and they had pink hand-dyed aida and I though "ooo!" 

I have no pink or red rit dye and I wanted to do something today.  I thought aquamarine would be fun. Fabric was still damp when I took the photo. I can't wait to see how much it lightens up when it is fully dry. 

If I don't like how it looks I will rip it out and save the fabric for something else.  I will introduce the rest of the projects as I start them. 

My last WIP is some fiber that I've had on the spinning wheel for several years. Each year I participate in a spinning even and I've been spinning that same fiber. This is the year I wrap it up!

This is an old photo so you can see what the color is. It's Grey Corriedale.

I don't know how much I have left, but it's got to be less than a pound.  Half a pound? I don't know. I'm getting so close to being done! Then I'll figure out the yarn weight and I can start a sweater with it. 

Meanwhile, Miss Furby June was been in a mood all day.  At one point I booted her outside for a bit and I don't think it cooled off her little attitude. 

She's been scratching in her tote all day, making a mess of things.  She's kicking pine shavings into her food and water dishes.  I can't tell you how many times I've cleaned her dishes out. 

My little brat regrets nothing.