tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168742972024-03-08T06:02:30.788+11:00Jenny's Australian Needleart JourneyWife, mother, teacher & budding textile artist. My name is Jenny, I live in Sydney, Australia & love all things textile related. My journey through this textile world began with genes from both my grandmothers,& my mother. The journey is fueled by my inner passion, my dearest friends, and my students.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-11597087351885335842020-09-30T11:16:00.005+10:002020-09-30T11:16:45.364+10:00A Reticella Pincushion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1fRdQQuoUQKlySLKiSirshuYoXBJ0gMdOg72kyaQZffKk9z0020NxSMs_2Zea5WKeuS7l49_qDKRsWbqD0ziNnk66Gno5QnRhATS8Q4TWG0J6PyumLoamCJToHtcEKl3rSAC/s2048/Reticella+pin+cushion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1fRdQQuoUQKlySLKiSirshuYoXBJ0gMdOg72kyaQZffKk9z0020NxSMs_2Zea5WKeuS7l49_qDKRsWbqD0ziNnk66Gno5QnRhATS8Q4TWG0J6PyumLoamCJToHtcEKl3rSAC/s320/Reticella+pin+cushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> My new little pincushion was born out of a major piece. It began a a sample to see what the reticella motif would look like at the bottom of the major piece. Once done, I felt it was too heavy and opted for something else. <p></p><p>The sample then sat there for quite some time before turning it into this pincushion. </p><p>Will I use it? At the moment it is sitting decorating my china cupboard.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-35133466022148018052020-09-02T12:00:00.004+10:002020-09-02T12:00:31.918+10:00A Little Needlcase<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4z0g5eN5iPvyEdvwLLEbhqoWQx1_yNSRUMrdXHPq-7YeAq3UmC8ZXt9Ngrc9dN3VkvtbxQhkVQfLpaCEfYS_vN0omFgRnw6qZe67rxXnkRhHc4LaseA5kKZFKJyEh9sSmGca/s1440/Jenny+needlecase.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4z0g5eN5iPvyEdvwLLEbhqoWQx1_yNSRUMrdXHPq-7YeAq3UmC8ZXt9Ngrc9dN3VkvtbxQhkVQfLpaCEfYS_vN0omFgRnw6qZe67rxXnkRhHc4LaseA5kKZFKJyEh9sSmGca/s640/Jenny+needlecase.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had some fabric scraps left over from a major project I had done and decided to make a little needle case with some of them. Good even weave linen is way too expensive to toss away, even the tiniest pieces. I also had plenty of left over threads from another project so decided to use those as well</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had no idea what I was going to do, so just did an outline in button hole stitch. I then added a row of eyelets and a row of satin stitch. It was looking dull so I worked a row of back stitch in pink to give it some life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had done another little needle case before with horizontal rows of stitching, so I had a brain wave that I could do diagonal rows in this one. Mmmm.......... I just started stitching Kloster blocks, then another row so that I could cut a little hole and put in a filling stitch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then came the half eyelets and a row of reverse faggoting in pink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK, it had some life, so I just kept repeating, and behold, before I knew it I had the outer layer of my needle case.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04-3agk_WYhgfbfVX5rfT6KJDWE8GMZUHmCkiSdNrca8fH86YKBp0z3u9fECImucq1jeVTEdwZorkRK1YmJN96I8BhFvHejzdmuWCGnF19EiB2nx4JSuYDclAWFixWFxKub7S/s1440/Needlecase+insude.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04-3agk_WYhgfbfVX5rfT6KJDWE8GMZUHmCkiSdNrca8fH86YKBp0z3u9fECImucq1jeVTEdwZorkRK1YmJN96I8BhFvHejzdmuWCGnF19EiB2nx4JSuYDclAWFixWFxKub7S/s640/Needlecase+insude.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added some navy lining, and some Dr's flannel from my stash. Mm.......... my sewing skills have fallen and the lining could have been straighter, so I added some button hole stitch to try and hide it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, it is done, fabric scrap used, and it will be given away to a new little sewer in the making.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-82721364168463290292020-08-06T12:23:00.003+10:002020-08-06T12:23:25.607+10:00A Scrap Blanket<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBxNlqpAFX6czs4cJ93UqN4D4eKmgYaH1BbDHEJm9CHYqd4NhlufUVwkxiQjGbOFDepILCRqHZLPjNmt6xxuBoXb8M4B7Ec3bkCjIc0ScJFCHsHWVbvvg9NzXZIZ0gMeiqmzA/s960/Scrap++blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBxNlqpAFX6czs4cJ93UqN4D4eKmgYaH1BbDHEJm9CHYqd4NhlufUVwkxiQjGbOFDepILCRqHZLPjNmt6xxuBoXb8M4B7Ec3bkCjIc0ScJFCHsHWVbvvg9NzXZIZ0gMeiqmzA/s640/Scrap++blanket.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">During COVID, I have been cleaning out. I had some left over yarn from my <a href="http://jennysaustralianneedleart.blogspot.com/2020/06/a-new-blanket.html">crocheted blanket</a> so decided to add to some knitted squares that I had started some years ago. My delema was to see how big it would get. I just kept knitting until I had had enough, then put a border around it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is big enough for a knee rug, and has now been claimed by a member of the family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has been made with scraps. Some is 8ply 100% wool, most is acrylic, and there is one textured yarn in there that has thrown everything out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another UFO done and dusted, and all my left over yarn is now bagged for charity.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-83436495288015038872020-06-21T10:56:00.000+10:002020-06-21T10:56:18.328+10:00A Pulled Work Needle Case<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir01MaTcUEF83_cqL6K69heG7So9D7s85ASq8BFwIcZhS7yQmZynFciMhY1xX4QKXHTyfFHh27-6GByEnCGL-L42VC5aUt6zTYQBY1quFNyHhR86YXZJkhA3NsPTeuelCLTq29/s1600/Jenny+Needlecase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir01MaTcUEF83_cqL6K69heG7So9D7s85ASq8BFwIcZhS7yQmZynFciMhY1xX4QKXHTyfFHh27-6GByEnCGL-L42VC5aUt6zTYQBY1quFNyHhR86YXZJkhA3NsPTeuelCLTq29/s320/Jenny+Needlecase.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This little needle case was born out of a creative exercise with my <a href="http://stitches-plus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stitcher's Plus</a> group. Robyn taught us how to do a pulled back stitch eyelet filler. That was way back in February.<br />
<br />
I had some fun using different threads on a scrap of fabric, then used a fine variegated thread to fill in the spaces between. It needed something else so I worked some fine Casalguidi type stitching over the top. The hem is a common one found in pulled work.<br />
<br />
So another UFO bights the dust. There are still more where that one came from.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-29811067437213328162020-06-17T10:54:00.000+10:002020-06-17T10:54:45.601+10:00A New Blanket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-bSKL144WvuBukXiSdFPt_BBxUX8l2HN1UHsNSYJ2zrhVVLJ3coFEVJsOoLGs-cYiZarxGH3OmhkubR1TNStGjQP7cQqj0tnhqVfbmbaEWUbD_p0yI9FmgIcVDHR96UokIKp/s1600/Granny+Square+Blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1079" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-bSKL144WvuBukXiSdFPt_BBxUX8l2HN1UHsNSYJ2zrhVVLJ3coFEVJsOoLGs-cYiZarxGH3OmhkubR1TNStGjQP7cQqj0tnhqVfbmbaEWUbD_p0yI9FmgIcVDHR96UokIKp/s320/Granny+Square+Blanket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mmmmm.... its been a while. What more can I say.<br />
<br />
This blanket got started some seven or eight years ago, then put away when I was going away, and promptly forgotten about. Well....... other things took over.<br />
<br />
At the time when I started it, I had no idea what it would be or how far I would go, I just started making Granny Squares. Along the way I made a decision to make some big squares, and some little squares, and to alternate them. I tried to crochet them together, but thought that gave to hard a ridge, and it was at this stage it got put away.<br />
<br />
When I pulled it out recently, I pulled what squares I had joined together undone, and then sewed them together instead. This is what I ended up with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Ey3qETh6hlUYNKnK36JQsogY3BwwWYmBwqiySNa_wGbCj7E2t2x86fo-rlTpoIi1T7DVOZXbVcghTKhYih43tNNiM4Q6vb8Dz3k6GXdh1SsiHHjAuoCa4Z-5sgntQdHywQ0/s1600/Blanket+beginnings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="793" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Ey3qETh6hlUYNKnK36JQsogY3BwwWYmBwqiySNa_wGbCj7E2t2x86fo-rlTpoIi1T7DVOZXbVcghTKhYih43tNNiM4Q6vb8Dz3k6GXdh1SsiHHjAuoCa4Z-5sgntQdHywQ0/s320/Blanket+beginnings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The blanket grew from there, I just kept adding to it. I did a border, and it was fine. It was a good size as a throw rug for the lounge, and I still had yarn left. I had enough to repeat another border, and thought I had enough to do another row of small squares in between. I worked it out I would need 60 of them, so just stared making squares again. If I could get 60, good stuff. If not, I would join what I could get into something else.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I got my sixty squares, added them to my blanket, then did the second border. It is way plenty big enough for two people to snuggle under, or as a spare blanket for on top of a bed. It's also another UFO done and dusted.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-86027909328360971272020-03-03T13:58:00.001+11:002020-03-03T13:58:24.519+11:00My New Winter Craft Bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZD6xZPnpSkgf-Vno6C2Fel72SyluBAgSieloKvjvno9hsn5h-C7z6PyWRg9FnoQq3RpHpzYEOA3dVUIFt_txARvF_r56U7RPHANRZsJmiW3Wq-lc8sUTO1g3lt5vueGobQtq/s1600/Crochet+Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="879" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZD6xZPnpSkgf-Vno6C2Fel72SyluBAgSieloKvjvno9hsn5h-C7z6PyWRg9FnoQq3RpHpzYEOA3dVUIFt_txARvF_r56U7RPHANRZsJmiW3Wq-lc8sUTO1g3lt5vueGobQtq/s320/Crochet+Bag.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
Behold my new winter craft bag!<br />
<br />
Started in 2017, it was born out of a ball of Norro yarn. I only had one ball, so decided to do some flowers in the variegated Norro, and turn them into squares that could be sewn together. I had some navy yarn, and purchased some mustard yarn to give it some life.<br />
<br />
I made the squares, joined them together, purchased the lining fabric, and there they sat until last week.<br />
<br />
I blocked the squares, then used them to make a pattern for the lining. Last Friday I made the lining up and hand stitched it in place. On the weekend I made some handles. I tried crocheting a tube to place over some plastic tubing, but the plastic tubing was too rigid and didn't quite work. so I pulled them undone and tried again after talking to my friend R----. These handles contain black cording to stop them from stretching.<br />
<br />
After stitching the handles on, I felt it needed some decoration. My first thought was some crocheted flowers, but there were already flowers in the bag itself so I opted for tassels. There are three tassels in all, one navy, one orange, and one mixed.<br />
<br />
So I now have another bag to add to my collection, and another UFO is off the list.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-77344516232112917732020-02-23T11:47:00.000+11:002020-02-23T11:47:16.013+11:00An Insertion Stitch Pouch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRutYCpVhcucBLchVr4YD9p4JFLBTyxVt4d7o6znnGRZ4p-DlEOMNgJg7eIALBL0RYfX1_tw_yoQvEaBUmYp_-V1sKWf5zM6tGpR_ZG4jTg3EUQs59OKcVTS0lYfpkkooeRoA/s1600/Insertion+Pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRutYCpVhcucBLchVr4YD9p4JFLBTyxVt4d7o6znnGRZ4p-DlEOMNgJg7eIALBL0RYfX1_tw_yoQvEaBUmYp_-V1sKWf5zM6tGpR_ZG4jTg3EUQs59OKcVTS0lYfpkkooeRoA/s320/Insertion+Pouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, I have finished off a UFO!<br />
<br />
It's been going a few years, not sure how many, as I forgot to take note when I started it. It could be about six or seven years ago now.<br />
<br />
The piece was inspired by the work of Effie Mitrofanis, one of the tutors at The Embroiderer's Guild NSW. One of the girls in my creative stitching group <a href="http://stitches-plus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stitcher's Plus</a>, had done a workshop with Effie and her finished piece was wonderful, so bright and colourful.<br />
<br />
So when I went home, I pulled out some scrap dress linen I had, cut some strips , and hemmed them. This part of the project took forever, I hemmed the strips in amongst doing other things.<br />
<br />
Once I had a few strips done I started looking at insertion stitches. I found some in books, and some on-line. I had some calico based needle lace graph strips already made and covered in contact. I used these to make sure my strips of linen were even widths apart, and started on the insertion stitches. Another part of the project that took me forever because I was doing other things.<br />
<br />
When I had the strips all joined together, the piece looked plain, so I decided to add some decorative stitching to the strips. Some have drawn thread channels with needle-weaving, some have some black-work type designs. It gave some more dimension to the piece.<br />
<br />
Last Thursday I was feeling down, and looked at my UFO pile and decided I needed to finish some. I pulled out these strips, and one other project that needed finishing. Both projects required things doing that needed ironing, and I had packed the ironing board away for another reason, and wanted it left that way for another day. Oh well, tomorrow was another day.I did manage to find some lining fabric ready and a zipper from my stash. So Friday afternoon I pulled out my strips, added some lining and a zipper, and now I have a new little work pouch.<br />
<br />
Watch this space for another one to be finished soon.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-41058577473585792112020-01-16T09:19:00.002+11:002020-01-16T09:19:57.322+11:00A Hardanger Snowflake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWWCptQBso3OegCGwr1__Ds-Us9_TIPhG8LtUWMVlRf_vBKe7Krv79aLgqgDZbbimMT0CIAgtfA5aEwp-fZTwjxiF7YwJMRumvbx4c48YjRTtdZO0_NS3e-zo-MxMUFahjmP5/s1600/Christmad+decoration+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1078" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWWCptQBso3OegCGwr1__Ds-Us9_TIPhG8LtUWMVlRf_vBKe7Krv79aLgqgDZbbimMT0CIAgtfA5aEwp-fZTwjxiF7YwJMRumvbx4c48YjRTtdZO0_NS3e-zo-MxMUFahjmP5/s320/Christmad+decoration+2019.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For the last few years, I have made a new little Christmas decoration to hang on our tree. I usually make around twelve of them to give to family and special friends. This year I made some Hardanger snowflakes.<br />
<br />
I found the pattern fee on the internet, and worked it on some Belfast linen that I had in my stash. The trickiest part was cutting around all those tricky little corners. Then I just cut a square of red felt and sewed them on, with some added red ribbon as a hanger. This is the fourth one i have worked in the series.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6sGXCcp_00KyywkV0pwuOHtT-pNkhpIi4EE7uqBFRTMOIg08iwd19fn_0oQ1nUZIKc_loiSHLN1U_smTx9GcVvvbp1jIqleQVMWaqFmD0Vc778eE2RzzpXriPg5bI3e9jDhh/s1600/Christmas+decorations+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1600" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6sGXCcp_00KyywkV0pwuOHtT-pNkhpIi4EE7uqBFRTMOIg08iwd19fn_0oQ1nUZIKc_loiSHLN1U_smTx9GcVvvbp1jIqleQVMWaqFmD0Vc778eE2RzzpXriPg5bI3e9jDhh/s320/Christmas+decorations+2020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As the snowflakes were worked on the bias, and I had cut a strip of the linen to work them, I had little spaces un-stitched. They were just big enough to make some tiny little decorations. I Played with different fillings on them all. even weave linen is too expensive to waste<br />
<br />
All of the snowflakes are with their new owners, and some of the little ones have new homes too. I wonder what decoration will happen for next Christmas?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-32284879991388784612019-11-24T09:00:00.000+11:002019-11-24T09:00:13.030+11:00A Knitted Lace Baby Shawl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B682nj6zXQJQsso3F6wpYjUlw6oaQridBMkf3aOWfHnx-QIsNBjX4aF_zdWwEdgbnTPaa7g1XuvaEkopnO4veYnl2LhCyszKgTe3335e9MUMn6B_-P6ClUypOJ81CkLO0zxn/s1600/Shawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B682nj6zXQJQsso3F6wpYjUlw6oaQridBMkf3aOWfHnx-QIsNBjX4aF_zdWwEdgbnTPaa7g1XuvaEkopnO4veYnl2LhCyszKgTe3335e9MUMn6B_-P6ClUypOJ81CkLO0zxn/s320/Shawl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, once again it has been a while. I do create every day, just some things come under the 'slow' heading.<br />
<br />
This baby shawl is one of them. Started back in May, it has been finished for a while. I just couldn't show it until now. I has been made for my new great nephew who has only just arrived. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The pattern is 'Hush little Baby Please Don't Cry', a free on-line one, but with mistakes in the pattern. I overcome the pattern mistakes, and also made it larger.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The central pattern was easy enough, it was the edge that was new to me. I have done baby shawls before where edges are worked separately, then sewn onto the central panel. This one was worked out sideways from the central panel, and bound off at the same time it was </span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">attached.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was also introduced to 'lifelines' in this project. I have been knitting for over 50 years and only learnt about them with this shawl. A very handy slice of knowledge for lace knitting that is well worth knowing.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The blocking was also new to me. I have only ever steamed blocked before. This one was wet blocked, rolled in a towel, then pinned out onto a blocking board. So glad I did! The lace center all opened up, and the edge got it's points!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTukFnPH3rb-mlSln3o7rwJtyfKWPTj8eoU_yJY_P4M4K_S9XgocEm622tQA9iUx3m-5RxYGmvvcUDZfUlWYzATVERJBfFHjx21B7cDrlWASTNTEvtWi8BnKPBUCiU1-6mlny3/s1600/Unblocked+shawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTukFnPH3rb-mlSln3o7rwJtyfKWPTj8eoU_yJY_P4M4K_S9XgocEm622tQA9iUx3m-5RxYGmvvcUDZfUlWYzATVERJBfFHjx21B7cDrlWASTNTEvtWi8BnKPBUCiU1-6mlny3/s320/Unblocked+shawl.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look at how it came off the needles! Wet blocking and pinning out made a huge difference!</div>
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The shawl has been worked in Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 3 ply 100% wool, and is now finally with it's new owner.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-32653058668675004822019-06-29T10:23:00.000+10:002019-06-29T10:23:11.650+10:00A Bedfordshire Book Mark<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LUqVw_upTI_kKe1VJ6AvVFpTKvxWG8R0NcI0Qsc6WwfPcBr4JDsMiu19BxZjlfxBxNWtmYe7mcS8IYKmw0MnKtnPr5I8-HMUhmWJPiXBjgAHGPqgRokudLFI-2qTp3-wA4Dy/s1600/Bedfordshire+bookmark+6+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LUqVw_upTI_kKe1VJ6AvVFpTKvxWG8R0NcI0Qsc6WwfPcBr4JDsMiu19BxZjlfxBxNWtmYe7mcS8IYKmw0MnKtnPr5I8-HMUhmWJPiXBjgAHGPqgRokudLFI-2qTp3-wA4Dy/s320/Bedfordshire+bookmark+6+B.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
Over the last ten years I have been working on and off through one of my Bedfordshire lace making books. This is design number 6B in the book, a little book mark featuring flowers made of six tallies, and six pair crossings.<br />
<br />
Note that this is design 6B. Two years ago I finished <a href="http://jennysaustralianneedleart.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-bobbin-lace-hankie.html" target="_blank">this handkerchief</a> which was design 5 in the book. Personally I think these two designs should have been swapped. The book mark should have been Design 5, and the handkerchief edge should have been design 6. Surely it would be better to practice those flowers in something small like a book mark before tackling an edge. Just my opinion.<br />
<br />
Anyway, my little book mark is finally finished. I have practiced those little flowers again, and I still need more practice! This time though I played with some different thread. The cloth stitch border is a King Tut variegated quilting thread, while the flowers are a combination of the king Tut thread and a Mettler Silk finish 100% cotton No 50. I thought the two together may have been too thick, and it is a bit, but its a book mark, so its OK. It was an experiment, so now I know what will happen when I go to do something like this again. It will be a useful tip to know to bring in some creativity into my lace.<br />
<br />
Now onto design number seven, a little simpler I think, but time will tell. Watch this space!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-28822121549341748612019-06-09T14:50:00.000+10:002019-06-09T14:50:02.822+10:00A Green Scarf<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmbfIW3jET-ylbtXapYfsLPjXpTTFD7-zBjPO54HTSXWEd2f48vqeSvlIaA92zUPpzN1oVrfHgSj236cS6AU-_z0MzXUgOIEGm1IBfo13kMUrtKiZQa4BE3HQHvgeXkGt21MK/s1600/Green+Scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="513" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmbfIW3jET-ylbtXapYfsLPjXpTTFD7-zBjPO54HTSXWEd2f48vqeSvlIaA92zUPpzN1oVrfHgSj236cS6AU-_z0MzXUgOIEGm1IBfo13kMUrtKiZQa4BE3HQHvgeXkGt21MK/s320/Green+Scarf.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
This scarf was started back in November last year. I was going away and needed something small to do to take with me. I was planning on some knitting, but ended up with this crocheted motif.<br />
<br />
The motif pattern is from my Mum's collection, cut from an Australian Home Journal, dated January 1947. It was meant to be done in No 40 Crochet cotton to form a tray cloth, but I worked it in 4 ply cotton.<br />
<br />
I had no idea what I was going to do with the motifs. My original idea was a scarf, then I thought I may not have enough yarn. I also thought of making them into a bag of sorts. In the end I just kept making motifs and put them into a scarf.<br />
<br />
Finished now, I'll have to find something to wear it with.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-31475753957878274172019-05-26T15:29:00.000+10:002019-05-26T15:29:07.022+10:00A Navy Cardigan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyMxPTOnQnO_rWE5engYKXFYF6QeZ20a-uh7uoWCMOOA8fHar9eviKNOqm29rWtTzY_N0ruLWo8A2T-1LCkbF-XTZ2yKHRAaxVLv4TySSya7A3d8t8u-g0mka08sEA7BqG-yw/s1600/Jenny+Blue+cotton+cardigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyMxPTOnQnO_rWE5engYKXFYF6QeZ20a-uh7uoWCMOOA8fHar9eviKNOqm29rWtTzY_N0ruLWo8A2T-1LCkbF-XTZ2yKHRAaxVLv4TySSya7A3d8t8u-g0mka08sEA7BqG-yw/s320/Jenny+Blue+cotton+cardigan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Behold, my new cardigan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Started back in March, this cardigan was supposed to be for me to wear though Autumn. Well, Autumn is just about over, and winter is just about to hit, with snow forecast for the mountains this week. My cardigan is made using cotton yarn so it will now have to wait until spring for me to wear it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The pattern is one of my own, u<span style="color: #222222; text-align: center;">sing a basic cardigan pattern from the Paton's 'Classic Knits for Women - Book 1245', and a lace pattern from my 'The Harmony Guide To knitting Stitches' book , I have created a border pattern to decorate my new cardigan. It is has been worked in 8ply cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills . </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: center;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; text-align: center;">Now it's time to finish another UFO or two.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-35303474989687041212019-04-16T10:43:00.001+10:002019-04-16T10:43:36.088+10:00A Doily Bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq-AoIybkFoWXZruae_vm8YTPJ_eHQPR8R5Cg2oHT1hZ1nCTbN15UEsAQCFY-uFEkvvosBI5lGmP4h81ef29SR7xAdTn12FuPSk85T2w2dCMTu9qLNhQnNqGk1FdU_a6ztJkR/s1600/Doiley+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="964" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq-AoIybkFoWXZruae_vm8YTPJ_eHQPR8R5Cg2oHT1hZ1nCTbN15UEsAQCFY-uFEkvvosBI5lGmP4h81ef29SR7xAdTn12FuPSk85T2w2dCMTu9qLNhQnNqGk1FdU_a6ztJkR/s320/Doiley+bag.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
Over fifteen years ago I was given a pile of un-worked stamped doilies by one of my students. Would I ever work them? Certainly not all of them. So I went through them all, kept the ones that I liked, and gave the others away.<br />
<br />
At the time I needed a holiday project, so I picked one, chose some colours that I liked and started embroidering. I finished the stitching, then the piece sat there for many years, hidden in my UFO cupboard until I found it in a clean up at the beginning of this year. All it needed was a crochet edge to be finished!<br />
<br />
I have lots of crochet thread in my stash, so I picked out a colour, and finished it off in a few days. Now what to do with it? Did I need another doily? Certainly not! Then I had this brilliant idea to decorate the side of a bag. So I rummaged through my fabric stash, found some scraps in similar colours, cut strips, joined them together, appliqued the doily to it, quilted it, them turned it into a bag.<br />
<br />
It's a little smaller than I would have liked, but it will come in handy for my knitting, or taking books to and from the library. Wherever I use it, it will show off my creativity and some of my skills, embroidery, lace making, and sewing.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-2031525355037701402019-03-31T16:28:00.000+11:002019-03-31T16:28:33.710+11:00A Drawn Thread Needle Case - UFO Number 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkENrQ8QuwSf1FByrNnvGSCHRwhrE2ktcmX6to3SvvBQt7qaV0mbRBj7WWoH7XuLNG-Fo5myuNOy-d6MxiqB5MlpdYad2MmpuLs1rPa5p2dIJYhs_gOzIy8PCzAOx1V9Xw5wyd/s1600/Jenny+Needlecase+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="943" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkENrQ8QuwSf1FByrNnvGSCHRwhrE2ktcmX6to3SvvBQt7qaV0mbRBj7WWoH7XuLNG-Fo5myuNOy-d6MxiqB5MlpdYad2MmpuLs1rPa5p2dIJYhs_gOzIy8PCzAOx1V9Xw5wyd/s320/Jenny+Needlecase+2.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another UFO finished! Actually, this one has been finished since February.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZGMhsaSLstMTrrwV9S2P695uFEw9Cl9iKcQn-_z0ezP6wBzie8jYJIpnzsP3ofzTIxjbQAkifT0yr4fDYCDpheb5S5v1GGcM1r2XPfppFYUtsfIMQ8bPs5QP8BjJ9xFtDW1U/s1600/Jenny+Resist+dye+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1600" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZGMhsaSLstMTrrwV9S2P695uFEw9Cl9iKcQn-_z0ezP6wBzie8jYJIpnzsP3ofzTIxjbQAkifT0yr4fDYCDpheb5S5v1GGcM1r2XPfppFYUtsfIMQ8bPs5QP8BjJ9xFtDW1U/s320/Jenny+Resist+dye+sample.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This little needle case started life <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">way back in 2007 as a resist dye sample for my </span><a href="http://jennysaustralianneedleart.blogspot.com/2007/10/summer-sanctuary.html" style="background-color: white; color: #7c80a1; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">'Summer Santuary'</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> piece. Some drawn thread stitching and a hem of buttonhole stitch had been worked onto the sample, then it waited over 10 years before I found it again, stuffed in a cupboard, in a clean-up. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7aN3h8kfQKwJRcsRHCk3IGaCDD_bY2psKB1rVSS4aLzgZDTZL3W_dgaQvkLysKUUbLL-sZLvyzdz0-x53oVrRFkp5gXPgdtSka3KjPWN24qhDcN15eUcKtJeG8ACC9TNYCHQ/s1600/Jenny+needlecase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="951" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7aN3h8kfQKwJRcsRHCk3IGaCDD_bY2psKB1rVSS4aLzgZDTZL3W_dgaQvkLysKUUbLL-sZLvyzdz0-x53oVrRFkp5gXPgdtSka3KjPWN24qhDcN15eUcKtJeG8ACC9TNYCHQ/s320/Jenny+needlecase.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> All that was required to finish it was some lining, some Dr's flannel, and a closure. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So UFO number five is done and dusted. I wonder what's next?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-38211079747391558722019-03-08T13:34:00.001+11:002019-03-08T13:34:35.602+11:00A Reticella Bookmark - UFO Number 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOzbapoLiPOj5-q5gWGMyjD8RwlcvSYn-MeylzRdNiTNzIO0CC6g9WlLn1KIWMzMRhu2lAcDT0Y4WXlTLTANxEtKbqQx5kxNHm-kdOj7gRmnJnjgoaFS6LCApGQIYzMHTZkac/s1600/jenny+Book+mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOzbapoLiPOj5-q5gWGMyjD8RwlcvSYn-MeylzRdNiTNzIO0CC6g9WlLn1KIWMzMRhu2lAcDT0Y4WXlTLTANxEtKbqQx5kxNHm-kdOj7gRmnJnjgoaFS6LCApGQIYzMHTZkac/s320/jenny+Book+mark.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
I found this book mark half done when looking for some fabric. It was in amongst all my scrappy, left over, even weave linen pieces. Just another UFO I had to finish! I had worked the buttonhole stitch, the satin stitch, and the four sided stitch, and there had been two cuts made ready to withdraw some threads. The piece was obviously meant for some reticella. It also came complete with threads and threaded needle!<br />
<br />
It had been worked very close to the edge, and for reticella I needed a hoop. So I added some strips of calico so I could place it in a hoop to finish it.<br />
<br />
It didn't take long to work the needle-lace filling, and it was good practice for working those bullion picots.I just needed to add a tassel, and a backing, and UFO number four for the year was finished! I have no idea how long it had been sitting there. I had began my reticella journey over ten years ago, so it could have been sitting there for that amount of time.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it's finished now, and i have another pretty bookmark to use.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-80741611662927451622019-02-15T16:13:00.000+11:002019-02-15T16:13:04.951+11:00A Doily - UFO Number Three <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlewN4WbCc0FKNYjdJNIJqn4FXHDD_lBBI8pgVRTlEX4v309gTe56NhKAiYqA0aos5o9G9I5_waFNCjiVyXBXoDLZ_u-brSsUVmmByAOPqWesckZjdz5E35hrMAIfFxIVp59N/s1600/Doily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1013" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlewN4WbCc0FKNYjdJNIJqn4FXHDD_lBBI8pgVRTlEX4v309gTe56NhKAiYqA0aos5o9G9I5_waFNCjiVyXBXoDLZ_u-brSsUVmmByAOPqWesckZjdz5E35hrMAIfFxIVp59N/s320/Doily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
UFO number three for the year!<br />
<br />
This doily was given to me, along with quite a few others, about 12 years ago. All of them were un- worked, and were given to me by a student who had them given to her. At the time I just said thank you, and waited until I got home to have a good look. Mmm......... there were lots of them! Was I ever going to work them? Probably not, but I couldn't part with them. So I went through them, picked out the ones I really liked, and passed the others on.<br />
<br />
This one is the first and only one I have worked. I worked it quite some years ago, it was my holiday project for a few years as I remember. According to the directions, it was supposed to be worked in yellows and oranges, but anyone who knows me knows that I like cool colours. So, I changed the colours to what I wanted. I finished the stitching, then promptly put it away to be finished later.<br />
<br />
Last week I started to clean out my sewing cupboard. I must admit I didn't get very far, but I did throw some things out, redirected some things in other directions, and found not one, but many UFO's. Four of them managed to stay in daylight, one of which was this doily. All that need doing was to work the edge. So I went through my stash of threads, found two balls of donated 20 crochet cotton still in their plastic covers, cut the excess fabric off, and crocheted the edge according to the pattern.<br />
<br />
So, my first doily in nearly fifty years has been finished. It's on beautiful linen, and very usable as it is. I tend not to use doilies very often, so this one is going to get put to another use. So come back soon to see what it turns into.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-13410360971684758212019-02-01T15:18:00.001+11:002019-02-01T15:18:58.484+11:00A New Needle Case<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAYzDq5YVKmWYVcKDG6onDzcVeTxxXc0N58FZK5AIEU-QJf9RqjEKcBOlLHeoVaHhTfwBt7UC5f_uBS1wx3xZkVeuOthoNFZ18ZYZVmF3wqHhxKED18VZ6GX9dxgaVECvTRLf/s1600/Blackwork+needlecase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1110" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAYzDq5YVKmWYVcKDG6onDzcVeTxxXc0N58FZK5AIEU-QJf9RqjEKcBOlLHeoVaHhTfwBt7UC5f_uBS1wx3xZkVeuOthoNFZ18ZYZVmF3wqHhxKED18VZ6GX9dxgaVECvTRLf/s320/Blackwork+needlecase.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This little needle case started out way back in 2012! It began life as a sample of stitches for another piece I was about to do. It's been packed away since then, and I found it again by accident looking for something else.<br />
<br />
It was all packed away with the threads I had been using to work it, and a little note to turn it into a needle case. So that's what I did.<br />
<br />
I just had to find some Doctors Flannel, and some fabric to line it, both of which I had. I had an idea to make a twisted cord to add to the edge, but instead worked a back stitch around the edge in one of the colours used in the stitching.<br />
<br />
It also needed a closure, so I made a little toggle out of some rolled cotton tape which then got covered in detached buttonhole stitch.<br />
<br />
So another UFO is done and dusted. Watch this space to see which one is next.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-11673457790822025042019-01-24T17:09:00.001+11:002019-01-24T17:09:36.329+11:00A Little Trinket Pouch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pgYr0inqqEolykFrKzQ1uCIjuaNpYP9KJJSMqqL4u6OK2FCWPaUxnLhCJoUgzXlbyty9Idh922YIjzcu9j4lxDVGG6k_CVagnOFByUI8MYXqIRpUBe-6fWCiXDulRrKEcspT/s1600/Thread+pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pgYr0inqqEolykFrKzQ1uCIjuaNpYP9KJJSMqqL4u6OK2FCWPaUxnLhCJoUgzXlbyty9Idh922YIjzcu9j4lxDVGG6k_CVagnOFByUI8MYXqIRpUBe-6fWCiXDulRrKEcspT/s320/Thread+pouch.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This little pouch started life in my creative stitching group <a href="http://stitches-plus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stitchers Plus</a>. it was supposed to be a fun little fifteen minute design exercise. Well, it was fun, but took way more than fifteen minutes to work.<br />
<br />
We just had to bring fabric and threads on the day, then we were all handed two words and two stitches to start us off. I got 'square', 'positive', buttonhole stitch and lazy daisy stitch. I had no idea where to begin so just started stitching.<br />
<br />
The little piece got put away until about a week ago. I was meeting two of the girls from this group for lunch and wanted to take some stitching. So I pulled this project out and thought I would deal with what to do with it on the day. I had not touched it in four months.<br />
<br />
I added some more stitches, and debated what to turn it into. A needle case crossed my mind, so did an envelope pouch. I wasn't fussed with the design turned the other way for an envelope pouch, and felt it was too big for a needle case, so decided a little drawstring trinket pouch would do.<br />
<br />
There was barely enough fabric to turn a hem, let alone make a casing for a drawstring. So I hemmed the piece I had, then joined and hemmed another strip and decided to work a ladder insertion to act as a casing. I wasn't sure if this idea would work, but it did, beautifully.<br />
<br />
So another UFO has bitten the dust, and I have a little thread pouch to use instead of a plastic sandwich bag.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-37146783577147278602019-01-03T13:46:00.000+11:002019-01-03T13:46:12.160+11:00Fingerless Gloves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxlmao58ly6itvnZ546-Ui5_pqa6LNfGC_RhopZnSstSUCQf8qhDGPXDMZJSWB-rFpfJqZyuBGzbIPQJf3g1WlnG2xJgpbcA7SPvSKj1nnf_vBuNTBEjp8P_ExWHu2lI5lBiF/s1600/Fingerless+gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1187" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxlmao58ly6itvnZ546-Ui5_pqa6LNfGC_RhopZnSstSUCQf8qhDGPXDMZJSWB-rFpfJqZyuBGzbIPQJf3g1WlnG2xJgpbcA7SPvSKj1nnf_vBuNTBEjp8P_ExWHu2lI5lBiF/s320/Fingerless+gloves.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
Late last year when I was about to make my <a href="http://jennysaustralianneedleart.blogspot.com/2018/12/possom-gloves.html" target="_blank">possum gloves</a> , I found a pattern for finger-less gloves made in the exact yarn that I had bought. At the time, I wanted full fingered gloves, so made made them two toned to make sure I had enough yarn. I really liked the texture in this pattern, so when I finished my possum gloves, I weighed the yarn I had left of the Payton's 2 ply Embrace, and I had 30gms left. I only needed 25 gms to make the fingerless ones.<br />
<br />
So, behold my new finger-less gloves, worked in Payton's 2 ply Embrace that I had in my stash, and using a free pattern form<a href="https://zealana.co.nz/patterns/patterns-and-designs/" target="_blank"> Zealana</a>. They will be ready when winter hits in about five months time.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-56144904456404681372018-12-30T09:09:00.001+11:002018-12-30T09:09:29.486+11:00A Crocheted Baby Blanket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFuD7LV-TIWg1x4ab7Ea2n_siGZTcZn-s7Mlg3RSBqS59OrlDtqAqaEfPsMnRZR_2oH7U6GAaWIt_lktqC4HnARzg8CWZ0kZM_FEssI72rtBsaMbuHcjwJwehoap-wSgDksGj/s1600/Finished+Shawl+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFuD7LV-TIWg1x4ab7Ea2n_siGZTcZn-s7Mlg3RSBqS59OrlDtqAqaEfPsMnRZR_2oH7U6GAaWIt_lktqC4HnARzg8CWZ0kZM_FEssI72rtBsaMbuHcjwJwehoap-wSgDksGj/s320/Finished+Shawl+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Back in August I got word that another little baby was due in the family. I had only just met the mother-to-be, so asked another member of the family about what she would like. I was concerned about making something, only to have it not looked after properly.<br />
<br />
I decided on using wool, as I was assured that the new Mum's mother would look after it. The yarn is Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury Frost in 3 ply.<br />
<br />
I also decided on a pattern, a square that would be easy to take away and work on away from home. Unfortunately, the square proved too difficult at the time, and I decided on the above pattern instead. It was just crocheted squares joined together. How hard could it be? The pattern is from the Shepherd Baby Shawl Collection Book 1, and marked as a 4 sheep rating, the hardest in the book. I repeat, how hard could it be? Mmmmmmm............... the rating is there for a reason!<br />
<br />
The pattern told me to make 64 squares, to me that is 8 x 8 . So I made 8 squares, then started to join them together. Mmmmmm...................... they did not sit even. So I un-pulled the joining row, looked at the picture, worked out the maths, and figured I needed 9 squares per row! That meant 81 squares! So I made nine squares, joined them on, worked the in-between mesh, and repeated the process.<br />
<br />
I worked this way because I knew I was going away. My plan was I could take squares with me to do and join them together when I came home. As I worked nine squares, I would join them on, this way all would be together and I would know exactly how many squares I could work while I was away. The problem was I had all the squares done and joined together before I went! That meant I had to find something else to take, but that's another story for later.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the shawl was finished way before baby came. It has now been wrapped and gifted. Wool is bit hot now for bub to use, but as you can see it is quite large, and will be quite handy when the weather cools down, even for some years to come. I just hope the new Mum likes it. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-58193422992519412792018-12-25T09:00:00.000+11:002018-12-25T09:01:48.175+11:00Merry Christmas - A Hardanger Christmas Stocking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa2OaZxkvmgN7INi_D1FcpT43LdSD5cgK6p3ye2q4HluTrhJMBMSIfufI3DMj-Km_h-2XgnDQN954wbhEUjBUiA9hL_J8rSLcIYxMlyU7gyuSDDTCNvx5V3_RURSGm14ip34B/s1600/2018+Chrismas+Stocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa2OaZxkvmgN7INi_D1FcpT43LdSD5cgK6p3ye2q4HluTrhJMBMSIfufI3DMj-Km_h-2XgnDQN954wbhEUjBUiA9hL_J8rSLcIYxMlyU7gyuSDDTCNvx5V3_RURSGm14ip34B/s320/2018+Chrismas+Stocking.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
Wishing everyone a very happy and joyous time this Christmas. May your day be filled with fun, laughter, good food and good times.<br />
<br />
I try to make a new Christmas Decoration each year. In fact, I make twelve, to give to special family and friends. By now, they will be adorning Christmas trees across the country so I can show them off.<br />
<br />
This little stocking is done in Hardanger, with some counted thread work to add some bling. It is a free pattern I found on the internet, one of a whole series, and the third I have done in the series.<br />
<br />
So merry Christmas everyone, and may your 2019 be creative and bright.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-22522851286508254782018-12-15T09:20:00.000+11:002018-12-15T09:20:40.929+11:00Possom Gloves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl5bJhw6u9cgG4WSoI3xZ4_DUZjIyclkEKalYDFKHAoaNwbPa3xToWGZl-wgao83BLxSJU5MnbAErKUtEIx-dxjwY3oWmw_O7STPTMpgLs92rw9wWEUGXTRTdaCymwXMIpNox/s1600/Possom+gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl5bJhw6u9cgG4WSoI3xZ4_DUZjIyclkEKalYDFKHAoaNwbPa3xToWGZl-wgao83BLxSJU5MnbAErKUtEIx-dxjwY3oWmw_O7STPTMpgLs92rw9wWEUGXTRTdaCymwXMIpNox/s320/Possom+gloves.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
On a recent trip to New Zealand, I noticed lots of things made from possum yarn. Everything from socks, gloves, hats, mittens, scarves etc. I know that possums are a pest in New Zealand, and it is good to know that when they are culled, they are not wasted. After seeing all these products made with possum yarn, I was on the hunt to find some for myself.<br />
<br />
I had heard via the grapevine of a yarn shop in Auckland, so when we got there, I was on the hunt. Took a little while but we found the shop, and I was in a candy store! Decisions decisions! Possum yarn is sooooooo expensive!<br />
<br />
I ended up with one 25 gm ball of lace weight Zealana Air. 40% brush tail possum down, 40% Cashemere and 20% mulberry silk. I could only afford one ball, so I had to think very carefully about how I was going to use it. My plan was to combine it with something else, and probably make a scarf. I was thinking a feather and fan one with this yummy yarn in between the pattern for just two rows.<br />
<br />
When I came home, an acquaintance suggested gloves. What a fabulous idea! I had needles, I had a 2 ply pattern for gloves, I just had to find them. In the meantime I did an internet search, and found a pattern for fingerless gloves put out by Zealana using the exact yarn I bought. Did I want fingerless gloves? No, I wanted full fingered gloves, and I wasn't sure I had enough yarn for full fingers, so I made a decision to make the fingers out of another yarn.<br />
<br />
The fingers are worked in Patons Embrace 2 ply, something I had in my stash. It is a 90% merino wool and 10 % silk yarn. I had made other gloves in it before.<br />
<br />
So my gloves are finished, I have something made with possum yarn, and they will be waiting to be worn in about six moths time when winter hits.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-3382206820204682942018-10-30T11:32:00.000+11:002018-10-30T11:32:20.443+11:00A Winter Hat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVRCOSWMQ4gbpLeb4dJxdWNi_zFjaQKL_Bawktn9sSUtuzL_P6J0_MaRIr33ERcBG3suXnpLz1aGEUsjCHw5hag9-L20rMIGa5uGUIWKWuJPaNEbD0MwGlrAi7GLwo6qnS4u/s1600/Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBVRCOSWMQ4gbpLeb4dJxdWNi_zFjaQKL_Bawktn9sSUtuzL_P6J0_MaRIr33ERcBG3suXnpLz1aGEUsjCHw5hag9-L20rMIGa5uGUIWKWuJPaNEbD0MwGlrAi7GLwo6qnS4u/s320/Hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Behold, my new winter hat. Mmmm..... winter is long past in my part of the world, in fact this week it will be more like summer. But next week, I will be heading for parts that will be a tad colder than home. I have winter hats of course, so why did I do another one?<br />
<br />
I had made<a href="https://jennysaustralianneedleart.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-crocheted-blanket.html" target="_blank"> this blanket</a>, and in the process had to look for some yarn to do a border. I found ten balls of navy acrylic yarn in my stash and used only part of one doing the blanket border. What to do with the rest? I had obviously earmarked it for something, but who know what that was now. So I dug out my double pointed knitting needles and decided to make a new hat to take away. It's only acrylic, so if it gets lost, it's no biggie. I still have my nice woollen ones.<br />
<br />
So my hat was born. I started with six stitches on the needle, joined into a round, and just knit, increasing six times on every second row. I continued this way until it was big enough for what I wanted, knitted another two rounds, then decreased until it fit may head. Finally I added a ribbed band. No pattern needed, just winged it.<br />
<br />
Its a beret style hat, a bit slouchy which is how I like them. It's navy, my base colour for clothing, and its warm. So it will serve the purpose of what I want.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-80255737654585729512018-10-22T11:37:00.000+11:002018-10-22T11:37:11.985+11:00Double Eyed Spider Book mark No 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXZLey0GRh4z11GlMzQcyp7zhChAE0-zqYLeeWUD_hjpY4eiNACzol3gf9XtYwyfwQ6rBujMbchgvfmNljH0uIqeEWVcXa3Eqg8v6GwxYaeGByelTHWBYbcUw-c5qFH-hG8Ij/s1600/Lace+book+mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXZLey0GRh4z11GlMzQcyp7zhChAE0-zqYLeeWUD_hjpY4eiNACzol3gf9XtYwyfwQ6rBujMbchgvfmNljH0uIqeEWVcXa3Eqg8v6GwxYaeGByelTHWBYbcUw-c5qFH-hG8Ij/s320/Lace+book+mark.jpg" width="90" /></a></div>
This is my third attempt at this book mark with double eyed spiders. I wanted to do it again to get my notes down pat, and to see if I could work it again just from my notes. I still had trouble, and my notes are not the best. These double eyed spiders have certainly got the better of me. I usually found that I got interrupted half way through working them, then got lost, so just tried to figure it out following the lines on my pricking.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it's finished now, and I am already onto something else. I think I may let these little spiders a rest for a while.<br />
<br />
The book mark itself is worked in Guttermann Sulky 30 thread, with a gimp down each side of Guttermann Quilting cotton in a double strand of plain blue. It's difficult to see in this pic, but it's there, and a little thicker and more noticeable than the last attempt. The quilting cotton was a bit tricky to work with, but we got there in the end.<br />
<br />
I've been keeping track of the hours it has taken me, and I have worked out this book mark has a value of $200. No wonder I only give my bobbin lace to people who appreciate it.<br />
<br />
A new book mark has already been started, another deign with no spiders, just seven little tally flowers. I've tried these flowers before and they certainly were a challenge. Oh well, practice makes perfect and I am always up for a challenge. Watch this space!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16874297.post-40570448091317701812018-10-15T13:17:00.001+11:002018-10-15T13:17:50.364+11:00A Crocheted Blanket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD7AsBvszl7zmcPpvUCGpQQSPWNBhWRkNmwQo8G22rfVCeqjHgOBRGP3uG5vAY87SmPWBgJG_xx5WQcLimLEe3T1-3fP__2FORoC5O7OQdV3uukKKIt8lQawsqcPcMNN7yLJi/s1600/Cakes+Blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD7AsBvszl7zmcPpvUCGpQQSPWNBhWRkNmwQo8G22rfVCeqjHgOBRGP3uG5vAY87SmPWBgJG_xx5WQcLimLEe3T1-3fP__2FORoC5O7OQdV3uukKKIt8lQawsqcPcMNN7yLJi/s320/Cakes+Blanket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Another finish, a crocheted blanket.<br />
<br />
This blanket started on an impulse buy. I spotted some yarn cakes at Lincraft and loved the colours. I'd heard so much about yarn cakes, so I bought three of the same colour way on impulse to give them a try.<br />
<br />
What to make? How far would my three cakes take me? I had no idea, so I just started crocheting squares. I believe now the cake yarns are supposed to be self striping. Just like me to be different, instead I got miss matched squares.<br />
<br />
I tried pressing the squares to get them to sit better. The smell produced was one that disagreed with me. It was at this stage that I decided to give it away.<br />
<br />
I continued to make squares, as many as my cakes would let me. When I had enough for a blanket, I sewed them together. I was hoping I would have enough left to do a border. In case I didn't, I went looking in my stash and found a navy acrylic that I could use at a pinch. The cakes were equal to a 10 ply, while the navy was an 8 ply. Not sure how it was going to work but I would give it a try.<br />
<br />
I was also concerned that the navy may have been too dark, so I started with a row of chains and double crochets. My idea was that the chains would be covered in a row of trebles in the cake yarn on the next row of the border, and so just leave me with little spots of navy. I was hoping that I could get just one colour of the cake yarn to go all the way around the blanket for this part of the border, but no. Continuing in the style of cakes, I have a colour change. Not to worry, I just did another row of navy.<br />
<br />
This would be my final row, so I decided to do a row of picots. I felt a shell edge would be too solid, and in the navy would be too much. The picots would add an interesting edge without too much navy.<br />
<br />
So the blanket has now been blocked, and looks better, though the smell still disagrees with me. So I have asked a friend of mine who does a lot of work for charity if she would like it. So my little blanket will go to a charity somewhere, hopefully to be loved by someone. I am sure it will. I have had my experience with cake yarn now and I think that will do me, and I can now go back to my beloved Bendigo wool.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0