In which I attempt Crochet....and new idea.

There are many things I want to try out and sometimes I actually make an effort to do them, basically pull my finger out or have a sudden urge to do something new. It was a combination of the two that made me finally get round to trying crochet again. I didn't particularly enjoy learning how to do crochet the first time round, years ago, in fact I gave up pretty quickly because I found it awkward and wasn't particularly inspired. At that time I jumped to learning knitting and got on with that...

But the other day my copy of Mollie Makes landed on my doorstep and I was rather taken with the crochet flower garland tutorial. And so several online purchases and a couple of days later I found myself attempting crochet again.

I actually rather liked it.

I perhaps should have started with a granny square, learn each stitch in turn over a period time till I perfected but this is me I am talking about and frankly I'd much rather try a pattern I like the look of and just keep trying. 

I did comprise on this though as I knew I didn't actually know how to hold the hook or thread, frankly had any clue where to begin, so I did a scan round the net, and ended back at Mollie Makes. There they had a very handy little online tutorial from the Making Spot that teaches you how to make a wee little crochet flower. I spent about two nearly three hours last Friday watching and rewinding the little video and attempting my very own flowers, needless to say I got a bit carried away.

So cute....

I certainly found stitching in the round easier than the row, and I found myself not quite content with making thousands of the little flowers, I wanted to try something a bit more complicated and would allow me to try different stitches. So back I went to Mollie Makes...I didn't initially just look there, I did a good search for interesting flower crochet patterns and it led me back, and they have a Flower Crochet Coaster pattern which was rather sweet and I tried out. My attempts are far from perfect, and the one on the right in the image below was my first go and it's not only small but it's uneven a wee bit messy. The second go was a bit better, slightly bigger so it's getting closer to being able to actually use it as a coaster, but still it's not quite right, and I hit a stumbling block at one point where I think I counted wrong. So I shall just keep on trying!

Anyone else attempted anything new lately? Got any good tips or patterns or vids I can try out to keep me going?

Before I succumb to the warmth of my couch and quilt, I have been working on an idea of a stitch along, a project of unknown length at this time, which will show you how to work a variety of stitches but not in the manner of a traditional sampler something more modern.

But I have a question are there any stitches out there that people would like to know? I have some ideas such as:

• Trailing
• Chain stitch
• Satin Dots / Padded Satin
• Eyelets / Padded eyelets

I also have an antique stitch sample book which have a number of older style stitches that might be of interest.

Completed Embroidery

I started a project last week and after working on it a bit by bit in the evenings, and in just under a week I have completed it. It wasn't a particularly large design but I am thrilled at how quickly it has progressed, I am also very fond of using the Mulberry Silk threads, they are just utterly divine to work with, so smooth and the colours in the case of this piece jewel like.

Of course, the stitching is complete but technically it's not complete because the next stage is to turn it into a small trinket box, I didn't want to turn it into a picture, it's also too delicate to be a design for a cushion, I could turn it into a evening bag....but my mind is settled into a box. I also have another piece that I haven't done anything with yet, and will probably have the same treatment. Which is the embroidery I did for &Stitches magazine last year.

Where will I be going next? Will I be using this design again or doing something similar? I don't really know the answer to that yet, it would be foolish to completely walk away from the design or not to do something similar or adapting the design again. Also I have in my mind that the original sketch into a fabric print...not sure how or why, but it's floating about in my noggin.

The padded satin stitch I worked on this piece has got me itching to do more, and I think I am going to do so this afternoon. I think there is scope to do a collar with it, but I'll work the sample first and see where I go. I'll even try to turn it into a bit of a mini tutorial. I really have been feeling I would like to show more folks how to do particular stitches or at least how I work them, and it might also in turn push me to use different stitches before I get suckered back into doing  the same stitches over and over.

I'm sure I am not  the only one that gets comfortable with one particular stitch/method (sure it's not just embroidery specific), and pushing yourself is good for you. If they don't work out at least you can say you've tried something else. 

WIP: Abstract piece continues

WIP: Abstract piece continues, a photo by themasonbee on Flickr.

Starting a more detailed project today, something rather abstract in design. I've had a doodle in my sketchbook for a very long time and I thought it was time to do something with it and to use the mulberry silk threads I purchased just after Christmas.

Also gives me a great excuse to use my favourite stitch again. Yes, that's right trailing...I can't help it.

Testing out New Ideas

Today has been a day of finishing off small projects and trying out a new one. Although it's not really new it's almost going back to what I used to make when I first started out on Etsy which was embroidered jewellery. Funny how things end up coming round full circle. 

Recently I restarted making brooches again, the little bee, and now I am trying my hand at making necklaces or in this case a pendant. I am trying out different ways of working out how to speed up the process of making up the actual pendant not the stitching.  Not that I like the whole adage of time equals money but it does really, that and its also coming up with a sturdier finish. This has worked but I need to work out a better way of attaching a loop.

Of course, it would be good to get some feedback on whether there is the interest there to buy them. I have a small design which would feature bees and of course, the Paradise bird design as shown below. I would certainly appreciate any comments.

And finally, I've just listed the second version of the ring of bee pouches. So as I think I mentioned before there will be five of each design. I am rather fond of this blue fabric, just got enough left over to perhaps use it for another project, I am sort of keen to do another mini quilt, or for when I finally get round to attempting at making a faux taxidermy bird. I really want for the new place...

Ring of Bees Pocket Mirror

Whilst temporarily sofa/bed bound owing to picking up some rotten cold I've at least been able to work on the next round of projects. One of which is progressing the 'Ring of Bees' pocket mirrors and pouches, from a sample to actual product. 

I've only made one pouch thus far, but have at nine in the works in various stages of completion and hopefully I will get them all completed over the coming weeks. There are two colours for the linings that people will be able to choose from, five in this rather lovely pink flowery pattern, and the other five in navy, both are new Liberty cotton fabric prints.

These pocket mirrors are once again to support the British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA), £1 will be given for each one sold. The first of these lovely beauties is already for sale. 

I'll hopefully be able to work on the next thing on my list of projects (which will see the return of the paradise bird pattern) to try out at the weekend, when I am up and about.

Hopefully you are all germ free and snuggly warm.

Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow

As the saying goes. 

The little acorn in this case was a design I came up with based on Art Nouveau style, so very organic but with a sense of flair to it. I came up with a repeat pattern which enabled me to mirror it. The design was for a coat collar. A very special commission for a very special lady. It was an utter pleasure coming up with the design and subsequently stitching it. It gave me an opportunity to work on some very wonderful luxury cashmere fabric and to work in pure silk threads. 

I can't wait to see it attached to the coat, and when I do there will be more photographs! 

Following the completion of the collar, I was able to crack on with the second part of the commission which was to create a set of matching buttons. Which I completed last weekend. 

I chose to use the acorns on the collar, rather than try and create mini versions of the leaves. It also gave me more of excuse to do more of the very tactile acorn caps, which I should have added was a combination of hand dyed wool thread with a strand of silk thread, the stitch used was French Knots. 

It was rather tricky to get the fabric round the button blanks!

With the commission complete, I return once more to my own work, and whilst I have been a little lax on this side of things, I am slowly getting back up to full speed!