So far So Good

Hi all

This is going to be a small post.  I am happy to give an update on my ripple blanket and the cross stitch cushion.  So far I am doing as per the schedule doing one row per day and 2 block in the cushion.  Here they are at the end of February.

In my next post I will be showing  some crochet finishes which I have completed earlier.  Till then have a happy time with needle n thread.  

Embroidered flowers

Hello all 

Hope all r doing good.  On the crafty side everything is going on well.  Mostly I am crocheting and doing kutch work embroidery.  In between them I have embroidered some flowers which I have like on seeing some dresses in an idea of doing it in kurti in future.  

The first one is a simple stitch - Woven spider wheel stitch.

The big flowers are woven spider wheel stitch and the dots are french dots.  Now a days in pinterest I am seeing so many pins with french knots used to fill  a design.  And it looks good too.  Instead of going for beads or stones it will be well and good to use french knots.  I love to do french knots after purchasing aari embroidery stand.  It is very easy to do if we fit the embroidery frame on a stand.  Moreover the flower looks cute when done in  variegated thread.  Important point to note here on doing woven spider wheel stitch is there should be odd number of spokes.  I used all the 6 strands of thread and for french knots I wound the thread once around the needle.

Next one - Cast on stitch

Here I have used variegated brown thread with all the six strands.  Leaves are lazy daisy stitch with 3 strands.  This flower needs practice to get it's shape.  Initially I struggled with it after a couple of stitches I succeeded.  

Next one - Ring knots

This is a variation of french knots with a ring.  In aari embroidery this stitch is used widely for flowers.  Here also I have used the 6 strands of thread.  The stem and leaves are done using aari technique just to practice.  I like this stitch .  Embroidering a flower with ring knots and outlining it with beads gives an elegant look in aari embroidery.  

Tomorrow I will be giving the update  on the ripple blanket and cross stitch cushion.  Also, Crochet purses are in line to appear here.  So do watch my space.  Till then, Have a happy time with needle n thread.

New projects

Hi all

On the first day of 2019 I have started a couple of projects so that I can work on it in a daily basis.  One is a Ripple blanket and the other is a cross stitch cushion cover with a simple pattern that doesn't need a chart.  Have a look at them.

I am following the Neat Ripple pattern of Lucy from Attic24. It is a know pattern in the crochet world. I am Using 4 ply acrylic yarn and a 4mm hook.  I am doing one row per day.  It took me 15 to 20 mins  to complete one row.  So far I have completed one row each day till yesterday.  

The next is a cushion cover with a simple pattern in cross stitch.  I am doing 2 blocks per day.  Somedays i will be stitching more than 2 .  Maximum 4.  Not more than that.  Using 2 strands of different anchor embroidery cotton.

I will be finishing this into a 16 inch cushion cover.  

This year I have decided to take concentrate on one project at a time apart from these two.  B'coz having more projects in the work basket is sometimes stressful.  I have planned to finish a project, then shoot photos , update in the blog and then move on to the next one.  I have some crochet projects which I have completed last year in which I haven't blogged till now.  Some of them need some finishing touch.  I will be doing them one by one before moving on to a new start.  Mainly I am focussing on my UFO's in my work basket and the stash I have collected in the last few years. This year I have also decided not to go for shopping craft items unless and until necessary.  

I will be updating the progress of these projects every month.  In my next post I will be showing the crochet projects which I have missed to show here.  That's all for now.  

Have a happy time with needle n thread.  

Kutch work saree motif

Hi all

Last year I have started to embroider a saree with kutch work motifs.  It was a very slow project and this year I am managing to do atleast one motif per day and I have completed one third of the saree.  It is a simple motif done on a cotton saree.  

A portion of the saree.  Sorry for the wrinkles in the saree.

I have to add beads or stone in the center of the motifs.  Done with two strands of anchor embroidery threads.  Inside kutchwork line done a line of herringbone stitch.  

This year  I have joined an online aari embroidery course thru whatsapp.   It is going on well and  I will be back with the stitches what I have done so far.  

Thats all for now.  Do watch this space.  Have a happy time with needle n thread.  

First finish of the year 2019

Hi all

Hope all are doing well and good in this year.  I am also doing ok.  This winter season caused some discomfort in the health and till now the body is feeling lazy to do anything.  But every now and then I am doing something crafty and this new year I have started some new projects although I have so many UFO from last year.

My new projects are a ripple crochet blanket - I am doing one row a day, a cross stitch cushion - doing 2 squares of 4 x 4 stitches each day, then an embroidery sampler 2 stitches for a week and upon completing a particular stitch family I will be creating a design for a cushion or pillow covers out of the stitches tried.  I have started with the straight stitch family.

Apart from these I have a kutch work saree project started last year for my sis in law.  I should complete it before April.  I will be showing that saree in my next post.  Also I am adding some stitches in my harmony cross stitch project now and then.  Planning to complete one more page before the end of Feb.

One of the teacher from my son's school has asked me to crochet a purse. And I have finished it last week and that was the first finish for this year.

Click here to purchase one.

I have tried the pattern from here.  Used Local 4 ply acrylic yarn and 4mm hook.  I had a matching zipper and added the zipper with the lining using sewing machine and a mistake I have done here.  After completing the zipper part the wrong side of the fabric is shown after opening .  But it is looking ok.  So I left it as such.  Overall I am satisfied and happy with the outcome.   I got one more order for the purse but it should have 3 compartments.  I should try it.  It will be a challenge for me.  

So that's all for today.  I will be back with the kutchwork motifs I have done in the saree in my next post.  Till then, happy crocheting.  

Embroidery design 11 - Kutch work pattern

Hi all,

Today I am here to publish my 11th free design for this year.  Sorry for being late. It is a kutch work pattern for the front side of the kurti.  It can be worked as an overall pattern also.  I have stitched this in a cotton cloth.  It came out really well.   Already I have stitched one kurti in the same pattern and you can view it here.  This is the second time working with this design and I was not bored of doing it.  Have a look at the kurti first.

Now the pattern

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Threads used (Anchor embroidery threads)

Red - No 20

Blue - No 149

No of strands used - 2

You can draw this design on a 8 lines per inch graph paper and you can trace it in the fabric.    Hope all of you like this pattern and work.  Will be back with some crochet works in my next post.  Till then, Have a happy time with your needle and thread.

MCP update, Black and white quilt blocks - set 2

Hello all

Hope all r busy with their needle n thread and other crafts.  I am also a busy with my yarn, needle n thread.  

Today I am here to give an update on my mega cross stitch project.  I have completed one more page  and it took nearly 22 hours to finish that page.  With out much blah blah let me show u the cross stitch piece.  I am happy that another puppy has shown its face. 

After

Before

You can see from the before and after pic how slowly the piece is progressing.  After completing this I am concentrating on a saree which I am doing it for my SIL. I have to give her before x'mas.  

In this post I have mentioned about a black and white quilt blocks which I have started in the beginning of this year.  I have planned to make one block per week.  But my sewing machine cheated me by not stitching properly.  So I have given it for repair and I got it before a months time and then I have managed to sew some more blocks.  The next set of blocks for you to see.

I have followed the pattern for the blocks from here.  It's a beautiful blog to go through for those who like quilting.

That's all I have today to show u.  This month's free pattern is ready and I am in the process of editing that pictures.  Will be back with the free design in my next post.  Till then, Have a happy time.