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Basic Stitches used in Cross Stitching Embroidery

cross stitchOne of the easiest and interesting stitches to learn is Cross Stitching. It begins with a simple X shape stitch that is repeated several times forming a design. Counted cross stitch designs are made with the help of a chart or grid where each square has a symbol that represents one stitch. Once you learn this kind of stitching, you will simply love the rhythm and endless opportunities that it offers. There are different kinds of stitches used in cross stitching embroidery. Amongst them, quarter stitches, half stitches and three-quarter stitches are known as Partial stitches since they are a part of cross stitching. Fractional stitches, on the other hand, are recommended for experienced stitchers and these are called advanced stitches. Read on to know about basic stitches for cross stitching embroidery.

  • Half stitch – This type of stitch moves from one corner of the fabric to the opposite corner. Half stitch is diagonal in shape and some designs use this stitch for adding texture to the shadow and background.
  • Quarter Stitch – Quarter stitch is somewhat similar to half stitch, however it is half in length and extends into the center of stitching square. These stitches are used to complete a three quarter stitch or form details that has been stitched in other colors.
  • Three Quarter Stitch – Three Quarter stitch can be used to form curved design lines. This type of stitch makes it easier for adding detail to the “blocky” look of traditional cross stitching.
  • Back Stitch – This type of stitch is a straight stitch used for lettering or outlining. These stitches are used for adding finer details to the design, forming lines and outlining shapes.
  • French Knot – The French Knot is known as a popular decorative stitch used in cross stitch to add more details. French knots look superb when clustered together for creating texture, or serving individually as a center of a flower, or animal eyes on the design you are stitching.

Make sure you are aware how to use necessary tools and supplies to make your cross stitching project successful. If you are a beginner or an experienced stitcher, seek advice of an expert when learning cross stitching to master these skills within a short time.

It Fits!!

I actually knit myself something that isn’t overly huge.  And I’m proud of it.

It’s the Cotton Candy Stripes shrug found in the Summer issue of Love of Knitting.  I just picked up the magazine at a local grocery store and thought it had some nice projects in it.  This one seemed perfect.

Here, is the shrug in its circular form.  How you do it?  Knit the back flat, don’t cut your yarn and pick up and knit the cast on edge.  It’s a lot of stitches for that lace ribbing, but it tend to go quickly the more you knit.  I will say binding off was tedious, though.

Below, you can see me in smug pride showing my newest piece.  My DH took the photos.  Want to see the details?  Check it out on Ravelry.

It fits!!

It fits!!

It fits!!

It fits!!

It fits!!

It fits!!

 

OT: I need your votes!

Just for fun, I have entered in Fine Art America’s contest to see if I can get a photo in one of their commercials.  Now, I don’t have a prayer in winning, but I thought it would be fun try and get a little more exposure.

What I did was enter three photos in their contest to be voted on.  Would you take the time to vote for me?  I’ll love you forever!

Here are my entries and their links:

Crafty Finds At Work

My boss had some crafty books on her desk.  She said she found them in the lunchroom across the hall.  One of the people from another office had left them there and were free for the taking.  So I took two.

The first one is how to incorporate flea market finds into decor. It includes some lovely instructions in the back and looks like it may spark a few ideas.

The other one is a book of purses to sew.  I may have to give one or two of them a try, but tailor them to my style.  Luckily, fabric comes in all sorts of colors and patterns.

When I tire of these books, they will have a home at Art of Recycle, as a way of passing them along to the next person when I’m done with them.

Still, right now, yay for free books!

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Getting Back to Charity Work

I haven’t done charity knitting in quite a while, and it’s time to get back to knitting my chemotherapy hats for the patients at my local cancer center.  I have lovely soft yarn that would make great hats, and I need to get going on that.

Chemo patients need hats even in the summer when nights get a little cool.  Sometimes I switch over to cotton hats, too, for them.  Cotton is soft and washes well, but isn’t quite a stretchy as other fibers.

Interested in knitting chemo caps yourself?  Here are some tips:

  • Soft acrylics and cotton yarn or blends are best.  Avoid wool due to allergies and scratchiness.
  • Knitting hats in the round are great for bedtime wear because they do not have a seam in the back.
  • Make hats in a variety of colors.  Men need them, too!
  • Contact your local chemotherapy centers to see if they have any specific needs from patients.

Do you have any other charity knitting ideas that you would like to share here?

Three Projects

I am behind on updating my FO’s, and here are three that I have completed and want to share with you guys.

1.  Murky Waters Scarf

I’ve knit this scarf a few times, and I felt like doing it again for a Ravelry project.  I also spun the yarn a while ago.  I think it turned out quite nice!  I’ll probably put it in the pile to sell at a craft show.

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2.  Raven Collar

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I love it when I can knit something out of Vogue Knitting, or at least adapt one from there.  In the Spring/Summer 2013 issue, there was a series of collar that looked fun and fashionable to knit.  I gave on a shot, and here it is!

Below is a closeup of the actual lace pattern.  This one is modeled after “Tango.”

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3.  Lovegood Square 3

I always thought owl cables looked difficult, but they really aren’t and I gave on a shot for one of my Hogwart’s squares.  I had some lovely yellow Plymouth Encore Worsted that made for nice knitting and made a lovely background for my owl here.

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Well, those are my three projects that I wanted to share with your this evening?  What have you finished recently?  Tell me!

Another baby on the way!

My cousin Carl and his girlfriend Katie are expecting!  That’s two new baby girls for the family.

I finished a small gift of a hat and booties set for the baby last night.  I used a soft and silky Red Heart yarn and the set knit up pretty fast.  I finished both booties in one evening.  Both the hat and booties are sized for a three month old.

I wish I could share some of my surprises for Allie here, but I want them to be actual surprises in case my sister catches a glimpse of the blog.

OT: Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

It’s me, Jenn!  Today would have been your 60th birthday.

Life has been good down here and we miss you a lot.  You’ve been gone almost eight years after a battle with cancer.  There have been so many sci-fi movies we didn’t get to see in the theater, so many hockey games we didn’t get to watch, and many family gatherings that you have been missed at.

As we remember you on your birthday, we know you are no longer suffering.  Still, there’s a Dad-sized hole in my heart that no one else will ever be able to replace.

Here’s to you, Dad.  I love you.

Jenn

OT: The flu that isn’t the flu.

Sorry about another “off topic” post.  I have been sick with a virus that imitates influenza, or a paravirus, as my doctor described it.  And I feel crummy.

Yesterday was filled with knitting, Gordon Ramsey on BBC, and naps.  I was home and quite under the weather.  I’m back on my feet today, but I still am a bit out of it.

Well, back to pushing fluids and painkillers.  I ache all over.  Not fun.

OT: Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Yeah, but not so well.

It’s pathetic, because I have a degree in German, but I haven’t spoken it seriously for about eleven years.  And that’s bad.  My language skills have atrophied.

I went to a German-speaking meetup yesterday, complete with German expats and locals who just want to practice their language skills.  We met at a local brewery.

If you ever meet me in person, I’m quite awkward.  Quiet. Weird.  I don’t know why I put myself in social situations with strangers AND speaking another language.  It’s beyond me, but I want to be more outgoing, make new friends, and practice a skill that I let go.

When I did speak, my spoken language skills were atrocious, mostly because I was nervous.  But, on the positive side, I did understand a lot of the conversations around me.

I’m taking steps to get better.  Not only will I go back to this meetup, but I also bought a Conversational German book on my Kindle and am practicing.  I’m determined.  Weird thing, this morning on the elevator, I thought it was funny that people were speaking English.  Wait a second!  I guess some of my German skills are buried in my brain after all if I’m think in German again.

In an effort to tie this in with knitting, I suppose that’s why I keep chugging along with knitting.  I want to keep learning.  I want to keep my skills sharp. And I’m going to do that with my German now.