Episode 25 Recent finishes and prepping for 2025

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by!  Show notes are below

Finished projects

Project Name: One Piece 

Stitch count: 9,049

Started: March 30, 2024

Finished: November 20, 2024

Designer/Source: Cross Stitch Bay on Etsy. Chart no longer available

DMC Floss: 310

Fabric: 14 Count Aida purchased at Walmart

Needle Size: 26

Making for my son. 

Previous update

My son was so surprised with this cross stitch, and thinks it's great. 

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Project Name: Bly Cardigan
Started: Sept. 3, 2024

Finished: Dec. 20, 2024

Designer/Source: www.Berroco.com

Yarn: My own handspun corriedale, purchased from paradise fibers

Colors: Grey

Needle size: U.S. 6 (4 m.m.) and U.S 7 (4.5 mm)

Previous update

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Project Name: Popcorn and cranberry crochet garland
Started: December 2024

Finished: December 2024

Designer/Source: Delia Creates

Yarn: Hobby Lobby "I love this chunky yarn"

Colors: White

Hook size: Size K (6.5 mm) and D (3.25 mm) for beads.

I purchased two skeins of yarn becuase I was unsure of how much I would need.  I wound up using half a skein for my size tree.  Beads were purchased on Amazon. 

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The porcupine box I gave my sister-in-law.

Project Name: Love and Prickles, #1 and #2
Started: Aug. 25, 2024

Finished: Fully finished December 2024

Designer/Source: LindyStitches.com

Floss: Called for DMC, B5200, 413, 3860, 415, 3816, 932, 21, except for 413. I used 415 for the face and quills, and 3799 for the body. 

Fabric: 18 count aida purchased from Hobby Lobby

Made For: Myself and my sister-in-law.

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Project Name: Sweatervest weather

Started: Oct. 30, 2024

Finished: Dec. 10, 2024 

Designer/Source: Lindy Stitches

DMC Floss: 434, 310, 801, 157, 22, 680, 3347, 3824, 316, 976, 435, 3346

Fabric: 32 count light taupe Lugana

Needle Size: 28

Previous update

Works in progress

Project Name: Blue stripe vanilla socks
Started: Oct. 31, 2024

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Vanilla sock pattern I use.

Yarn: Patons Kroy sock yarn

Colorway: Blue Raspberry

Colors: Blues and white

Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

The above photo is what the sock looks like as of Jan. 4.  I forgot to take photos the day I recorded and kept knitting away.  I'm almost done! 

Previous update

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Another one where I forgot to take the photo the day I recorded and I finished the project. 

White Christmas 2022 ornaments - Snowman ornament

Started: Dec. 2, 2023Finished: Jan. 2, 2025

Designer/Source: Primrose Cottage stitches

Fabric: 14 count aida opalescent

DMC floss in called for colors

B5200, 310, 321, 435, 562, 722, 728, 761, 818, 898, 954, 3841

Needle Size: 26

Made For: Myself. 

Previous update

I kitted up a bunch of projects to start in the new year. 

Mother's Garden by Blackbird Designs

Bedelia Bunny by Artsy Housewife

Hope Song by Heartstring Samplery

One Stitch at a Time by La-D-Da

The SAL is being hosted in the Across the Pond - Stitch and Chat group on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1354966635255405

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck Bird Crush Club Cross Stitch Pattern #2

Annabelle Shawl by Bag-O-Day Crochet

Other channels I mentioned during the episode. If you haven't heard of their channels you should check them out!

Redheaded Sticher

Jen's Fiber Web

Comfort Stitching

Ladybug Stitches

Disorderly Stitcher

Antique Needleworkers

Mudpuppy Stitchery

Shifting Roots

Gardening in Canada

Episode 18 - July 2024

 I *finally* recorded a video.  It's been a moment. Shownotes feel a bit scattered to me, but I think it's all there. Enjoy! 

Current cross stitch WIPS. 

Project Name: One Piece

Started: March 30, 2024

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Cross Stitch Bay on Etsy. Chart no longer available

DMC Floss: 310

Fabric: 14 Count Aida purchased at Walmart

Needle Size: 26

Making for my son. 

What the finished piece should look like:

Easy enough stitch.  I'm using patternkeeper and taking my time to ensure I don't have to rip back much. 

Project name: Crested Porcupine

Started: June 27, 2024

Finished:

Designer/Source: Purple Stitching on Etsy.

DMC: 167, 168, 169, 310, 317, 318, 413, 414, 415, 433, 437, 451, 452, 453, 524, 535, 611, 612, 640, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 762, 779, 840, 841, 842, 844, 927, 928, 934, 935, 939, 3021, 3023, 3031, 3032, 3041, 3072, 3371, 3756, 3787, 3799, 3828, 3863, 3864, 3866

Fabric: Half yard of 14 count Aida purchased from Forbidden Fiber Co. 

Needle Size: 26

Stitching for myself.  I know it is going to take years. Story about Porkie is here. The follow up post is here. The story is towards the end of the post. Scroll down. 

Recent Cross Stitch finishes

Project name: Bunny stitch "The Meadow" kit

Started: March 3, 2024

Finished: July 3, 2024

Designer/Source: Bothy threads

Given to me by a dear friend. I want to find a natural wood frame, then hang it up on my wall until the time comes that it will hang in the nursery of the first grandbaby.  Which will be many years from now. 

Project name: #723 Snowflake

Started: Jan. 1, 2023

Finished: April 17, 2024

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. Will go on display year-round.

Current knitting WIPs

Project name: February Lady Sweater

Started: June 2, 2024

Finished: 

Yarn: Temu 

Color: Deep red
Needle size: U.S. size 8 / 5 mm

I'm cruising along faster than I thought I was.  The sleeve feels like it's taking forever. 

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. 

Project Name: Passenger Princess Socks
Started: June 3, 2024

Finished: 

Designer/Source:Vanilla sock pattern I use.

Yarn: Patons Kroy Sock Yarn

Colorway: Midcentury stripes

Colors: Peach, blue, cream, vintage looking colors.

Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself.

Other works in progress mentioned

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

DMC floss project

It was Erin Elizabeth who did the master floss set by colors according to the DMC card. At least that is how I understand it.  If I'm not correct please let me know. 

Spinning

I haven't actually started my spinning but I did give my wheel a spa and put on a new drive band. 

WIP bags

Fabric is now cut and ready to be sewn. 

Flosstubers I mentioned

Jackie - https://www.youtube.com/@ComfortStitchingJackie

Celia - https://www.youtube.com/@VulcanStitcher1701

Erin Elizabeth - https://www.youtube.com/@erinelizabethdesigns

Other podcasters mentioned

David Reidy - https://sticksandstring.wordpress.com/about/

Brenda Dayne - https://www.brendadayne.co.uk/

Let's talk about my knitting! (and a couple other things)

 It's Friday. End of the week. Yay! 

Usually I'd try to do some sort of "This is how the week went" if I hadn't written much during the week. 

This week not much happened, except rain and crappy weather. Really.  I worked and when I wasn't working the weather was not conducive to being outside.  Bah!

So I've been puttering with this and that, all the while thinking about how I was going to sort all this crafty stuff out ... I'm still working on it.  Or, as some may know it, I've been in my own head a lot this week. 

Oh, and sewing. But that's for another post. 

I'm looking forward to the weekend, even though it may just be more rain.  I'm looking forward to spending time with my man and possibly having my birthday dinner early.  

Okay, so boring week. Nothing exciting going on. ... Let's talk knitting!

I've been holding on to a few things, waiting to share about them on the blog. I've been wracking my brain, making sure I remember everything and not leave anything out. 

Current WIPS (Works in Progress)

Project Name: February Lady Sweater
Started: May 2024

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Flint Knits.  I still had my copy from the last time I knit this sweater.  Apparently it's no longer "Published" but I'm sure you can still track down a copy. 

Yarn: Yarn purchased from Temu and the label has Chinese written on it.  So ? I can tell you that it's 95 percent alpaca and 5 percent acrylic.  It is SUPER soft. 

Colors: Red/burgundy

Needle Size: US #8, 5 mm; US #10 (6mm)

Made For: myself. 

I started this sweater in May.  My first time working with yarn purchased off the Temu site. Each skein says 100 grams but I have no idea what the yardage may be. Crossing my fingers I have enough yarn to make sleeves a little bit longer than my other February Lady Sweater.

Yarn is super squishy, though, and I enjoy knitting with it.  It's easy on the hands. 

Project Name: Passenger princess socks
Started: June 3, 2024

Finished: 

Designer/Source: Vanilla sock pattern

Yarn: Patons Kroy sock yarn

Colors: Mid century stripes

Needle Size: US #1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself. 

I decided to start a pair of vanilla socks and knit on them only when I'm passenger in a vehicle.  I made quite a bit of progress the first week.  I don't anticipate having these done until the end of summer at the earliest. 

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. 

This sock hasn't received much attention the last few months.  The main reason why is that I need to haul my chart keeper with me because I'm using it to keep track of where I am in the pattern repeat. Bit of a lame excuse, but it is true. 

The last time I had it out and was working on it I tried the sock on and it was a bit snug. I reminded myself that they will "ride up with wear"  grow a bit with washing and blocking. The yarn is so nice to work with. 

Look at those stitches. 

I'm will working on my charity stitching.  It's crochet.  Maybe I should have said "Let's talk yarn crafting." 

Project Name: Charity Stitch year-long project
Started: Jan. 1, 2024

Finished: 

Hat and blanket sets for Make Bundles for Babies. 

Yarn: Acrylic baby yarn I have in stash.

Needle size: Crochet hooks of various sizes, depending on yarn weight

Made For: Make Bundles for Babies. 

Hats need to be made for these two blankets.  Since this yarn is a light weight yarn, and not worsted, I need to use a smaller hook and a different hat pattern than what i was using.  I'm dragging my heels on making the hats because of this. 

I have other sets completed.  They are already in the pile of finished sets and sitting out in the she shed.  I had sets left over from last year so there is 12 complete sets, which was my goal for the year.  I'm not sending them just yet.  I'm sure I'll make more, here and there. 

Finished projects (FOs)

I've been holding on to these socks to share. 

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

Finished: March 5, 2024

Yarn: Patons Kroy sock yarn

Colorway: Amythest stripes

Colors: dark purples.

Needle size: U.S. 1, 2.5 mm

Made For: myself. 

I'm happy with how they turned out. They fit like a dream. 

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

Finished: March 15, 2024

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. 

This was the pair of socks I started out on a 9 or 11 inch chiaogoo mini twist and decided I wasn't happy with working on that size needle. 

The toes turned out more pointy than what the photo shows.  I'm happy with these socks too. 

And now that I've shared them on the blog I can wear them. 

Project Name: Opa! Dishcloth
Started: June 5, 2024

Finished: June 11, 2024

Yarn: Peaches and Cream dishcloth cotton yarn

Colorway: green

Colors: green

Needle size: U.S. 5, 3.75 mm

Made For: myself. 

A while back I saw someone on Instagram making dishcloths and sharing the patterns from the Kitchen Sink Shop. Free dishcloth knitalong this year and a different pattern each month.   So I bit and signed up for it. 

This is the first dishcloth I worked on.  I'm almost embarrassed to say that this pattern repeat gave me more problems than it should. I kept messing up. I think because the pattern repeat is so similar to the pattern repeat of the February Lady sweater, too. 

And now for the project I know a lot of people have been waiting to see. 

My Harvest Cardigan.

Started: Nov. 12, 2023

Finished: Feb. 10, 2024

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. 

I am ridiculously happy with how this turned out. It's super cozy and I enjoyed snuggling in it earlier this year when it was still so cold out. Oh, who am I kidding, it's still cool out.  The coolest June in ages. 

A beautiful day

 I woke up to to a beautiful day today. 

Those pretty colors, through the trees, this morning. 

When I went out to do chicken chores this morning it was balmy out. I think that's the correct word.  Very temperate.  It felt like a spring day. 

In fact, towards the end of the day snow was melting off the roof and it was close to 50 degrees out. 

About mid-day I took a walk out to the back 20, to get the cards from the game cams. 

The sun was so nice to feel on my face when I was out there. 

Today was an early deadline day for work. Naturally a few things had to go wrong.  My email server has decided to hold on to my emails for a bit before doing an email dump. 

Then there was something going on with the website.  Thankfully that was taken care of fairly quickly. 

Have you ever heard of a grilled PB and J?  My cousin told me about them a long time ago. I forgot about them until my son asked that one be ready for him when he came home from work tonite. 

I made one for myself, too. 

Yum!

This morning before work I knit a bit on my harvest cardigan.  This evening I stitched another ornament. 

I think it is supposed to be evergreens and bobbles.  So far it's not my favorite. For as sparse as it may look, it sure took me long enough to stitch.

Fun mail day

 I had a fun mail day today!

A few weeks ago my hubby said "Hey, I wonder if Temu has yarn."  

Uh, yeah they do! 

We spent a decent amount of time looking at what was offered and trying to figure out yardage. 

I still don't know what the yardage is buuuuuut I will tell you the yarn is REALLY nice. 

What is a good way to figure out yardage for yarn? I'm thinking I may need to undo a skein of the yarn and wind it up into a hank so I can count loops. 

I'm really hoping that each color is enough yardage for a sweater. That would be so great! 

Speaking of sweaters, I decided to take it easy on myself tonite and I pulled out my harvest cardigan and worked on it for a bit. 

Started: Crud, I can't remember ... 

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. 

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!