Sampler September Progress

 In the cross stitch world Sampler September in a month when cross stitchers can focus on sampler stitching. There are no rules it's up to the stitcher if and how they mark Sampler September.

I decided just to work on my samplers over the month and see what the end result was.

The first project was Summer Quaker by Lila's Studio, which I'm stitching in the called for DMCs on a cream 40 count Zweigart linen.

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I also worked on Sampler Aux Chats by Jardin Privé. Sewn in my own DMC colour conversion, probably on a 32.count Antique White Zweigart evenweave.

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I also put some significant stitches into a secret project and couldn't not put some work in on Mini Tudor Allegory by Heaven and Earth Designs in the called for threads on 25 count evenweave.

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Socks

 In the last few months I've been on a real sock knitting kick.

Stone from 52 Weeks of Socks Vol 1

Fuelled by a large collection of sock yarn asking me to do something with it...

Weavers Socks from 52 Weeks of Socks Vol 2

...being gifted 52 Weeks of Socks Vol 2...

Flou (over a vanilla sock) from 52 Weeks of Socks Vol 2

...and the ongoing appeal of the original 52 Weeks of Socks.

Toivoharju from 52 Weeks of Socks 

That being said I have found myself suffering from a feeling of sock burn out over the last couple of weeks, with not much enthusiasm to start my next pair.  Luckily my knit-jo had not completely disappeared and my hat and jumper projects kept on getting love.

And then yesterday...

Candle Flame from 52 Weeks of Socks 

...it reappeared due to the perfect combo of yarn (a merino cashmere nylon mix) and pattern ( mini cables for interest). Hopefully it sticks around considering the amount of single hanks of sock yarn I have! 

Leftovers

Not food leftovers but yarny leftovers. I have a couple of longterm projects currently underway and one in the planning which should help ensure that I don't have lots of half finished yarn balls in my stash.

 For every 4 ply project I've finished since 2022 I have added a square to my scrappy memories blanket. I also to gather together larger quantities of yarn until I have enough to start a Garter Marler Cardigan, designed by Stephen West; I have a feeling it will be a while until I have enough leftover yarn to start this.

Unusually for me I also have completed, am working on, or am planning several DK weight projects. These leftovers will be ideal for granny squares and even more luckily I think the colours should go well together.

January FNSI - Featuring actual sewing!

 I do enjoy taking part in the monthly Friday Night Sew Ins hosted by Wendy, they encourage me to make the most of my Friday crafting time.

This month I started at 4pm and got a good mix of things done. 

I sewed two more blocks for my scrappy round the world quilt (following guidance from Quiltville Quips and Snips) and figured out the best use of pressing and seeing time in order to increase the number of blocks I can make in an evening.

Whilst I had the sewing machine up and running I zig zagged the edges of a piece of fabric for a future cross stitch (white on white so not that easy to see).

I added a couple more lengths of thread to my blackwork project; this big block isn't feeling as intimidating as it was before I started the purple stitching as the pattern grows quickly.

And I got to the halfway point on my Musselburgh Hat and added the second colour, they always seem to go faster from this point.

If you want to see what others got up to on this Friday night pop over to Wendy's blog or look for the FNSI group on Facebook.

Crafty Corner

About once a week my boyfriend plays XBox online with his friends for an evening, this gives me an evening of crafting time for myself. Often I will spend it in front of a sewing machine as it's the one type of crafting I find difficult to do of an evening whilst we are together watching tv or listeing to music! However last time the XBox session occured my sewing table was otherwise engaged supporting our Xmas jigsaw (we do all the coolest stuff!) so I decided to do some sofa based crafting in the lounge.

This was my spot for the evening and my crafty project of choice was my new cross stitch (found out that the lighting in this room isn't great for stitching on linen...but that's by the by).

When I stood up for a break I couldnt resist taking the photo above as my space was ready for almost any crafty eventuality...

Circled in red, pattern weights ready for cutting out fabric.

Just visible in the orange circle, crochet books under the sofa.

The yellow circle is two full sets of interchangeable knitting needles.

Circled in green is my knitting bag with various bits and bobs of yarn and knitting notions.

In the blue circle is the cross stitch kit I was actually working on and, hiding at the back, in the purple circle is my sewing table (and jigsaw).

Plenty of crafting options in arm's length on this evening!