September 05, 2011

Labor Day Stitching

Greetings, all! Other than working at In Stitches yesterday, it's been a weekend full of stitching and house cleaning chores for me. I have to agree with Barbara's statement that fall bring out the housekeeping bug in me--not spring. In the spring I want to garden and get outside. Of course, it won't really be fall for me until the leaves begin to change and we can open the windows to the breeze--somewhere around mid-October--since it's still in the 80s and 90s here.

In spite of my resolution to finish a large project, I took out a smaller one to work on and bought two new ones. So here is Miriam Chilvers, which I started a while back. I like the calming colors. I forget what color Lakeside I'm using--probably Navy Bean. and I'm using the charted AVAS fibers.


Here's a photograph of her chart (Samplers Remembered).


Yesterday I worked at In stitches from 12:30-4:30 and bought up everything in sight, it seems. I brought a small finish to be framed that has been in a drawer for 3-4 years. Ellen, who has impeccable taste and an eye for color, helpd me choose the frame; I'll show you when it's done. Purchase number one is "Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842" by The Scarlett House. She is charted for 40 count Lakeside Vintage Meadow Rue, but I selected 40 count Strawflower instead. I'm using the Belle Soie silks, which I haven't used much in the past. They are so smooth and rich--I'm hooked.


I also picked up "Halloween Party" by Just Nan. I'm stitching it (see the little witch's hat with a spider on it?) using the recommended GAST and DMC fibers and some 34 count Legacy Puritan Gray from my stash. The beads come with the chart.


I picked up the newest Debbie Bliss magazine, which shows this sweater. Believe it or not, this sweater has 6 different colors of yarn in it. I am glad that I took a fair isle knitting class last year. I can tell you that fair isle knitting is a lot easier than it looks. For one thing, there are never more than 2 colors in one line of the pattern, so it's easier to keep track of the changes. Plus the patterns are laid out like a counted cross stitch pattern, the only difference being that you read row one from right to left, and row two from left to right.


Of course I also picked up the yellow bunny needlepoint that I had saved. What with the framing and the needlepoint, knitting and counted cross stitch, I kept myself busy selling to myself yesterday. (I am an excellent customer, and I hope I come back soon!) It's going to be a busy fall and winter on the stitching and knitting front!

"We don't have any hobbies, except for eating, dooting, sleeping and chewing the woodwork."


Happy week ahead!

25 comments:

Margaret said...

You have great choices for your projects, Glenna. You always do. I love Miriam, and I love Sarah. Love that Halloween piece too, but I'm resisting that one. :D That sweater is so pretty. I need to take a fair isle class. i wish my local yarn shop would offer one.

The Fab Furs said...

Watching your labors tires the buns out. They must be looking forward to new things to chew for Halloween: pumpkins and that Halloween kit for example. It is hard to believe that the sweater uses 6 different colors, I think keeping the gradations separate would drive me mad.

Penny said...

Sounds like you're going to be busy. Miriam Chilvers has such pretty colors in it. Pretty sweater. I love fair isle knitting, but as a novice knitter, I feel a little intimidated by it.

Deb said...

You crack me up being your own best customer! I don't think that I could handle working in a store like that. I'd be shopping all day long, spending all my money and probably get fired! LOL

Love your progress on Miriam (another one hiding in my WIP pile) and your other starts too. The sweater is really pretty, and you're right - it's not hard to do fair isle. I learned years ago and made my son a sweater when he was just knee high. I'd probably need a little bit of a refresher course now though.

Melissa said...

Oh Glenna, I could just see you being your own best customer! You don't want for food - you work for stitching stash!

Everything is looking great. I love Miriam and she's on my to-stitch list. I was holding off on Tanya's latest but my resolve is weakening!

Have fun with all your new stash!

krayolakris said...

Great stash selections. The bunnies look like they're staying very cool!

MarchAnn said...

I always see such great samplers when I take a look at you blog. There is almost always one I would love to have and this time I think its Sarah, but alas my stitching funds were spent Saturday and ok some last week too when I ordered some Vicky Claytons silks. So much to do so much stash to get.

marly said...

Oh my. Today is not a good day for catching up on blogs. I've found at least one chart to purchase on each site and you didn't help. The only sweater I knitted was a fine gauge full fashioned, long cardigan, double placket V-neck, buttonholes, with integral pockets. I was in the 9th grade and my home-ec teacher asked me to knit it for her. Thank you Glenna - now I want to knit again too!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

The colors used for Miriam are very appealing. Wow... you were a great customer yesterday. You have lots of good stuff to keep you busy.
That sweater is gorgeous!

The Scarlett House said...

Hi Glenna, okay...I'll be totally honest here. It's such a thrill to know that someone else likes my Sarah. I wasn't sure if you were planning to stitch her, but I'm happy that you are :). Hope you are having a nice holiday.

Catherine said...

Love all of your projects!! And that sweater - beautiful!

Jan said...

I picked up the JustNan also. Don't know when I'll start it. The colors in Miriam all sort of fallish. I like it.

Katrina said...

Wow all wonderful projects!!!! Love Miriam and Sarah and the JN piece and the sweater is gorgeous :-).

Valerie said...

What wonderful new projects, Glenna! You have such good taste! The sweater is gorgeous...I would love to learn how to knit such a pretty piece.

RG said...

Busy Bunnies - good! I once worked for my folks - they had a bait and tackle and snack shop. I ate up all my earnings - I was a good customer for them!

Siobhán said...

I NEED to start Miriam soon. Yours looks great! I love the choice of Strawflower for Sarah. Nice Halloween piece, too! I haven't done a JN in years but think they have a knack for Halloween designs.

Mouse said...

ooooo all of them are yummy .. and what a great sales person you are heheheh :) love mouse xxxx

Chris said...

Hi Glenna,
Great new stash. I would leave my entire paycheck at work too plus some if I worked in a needlework store.
Your projects are looking great.

Anna van Schurman said...

And if one is working with variegated floss, one would read the chart right to left and left to right as well. You almost have me convinced I could knit fair isle! :) Pretty project.

Susan said...

Wonderful new stash. And yes, the colors in Miriam Chilvers are very relaxing. I'll take your word on it that Fair Isle knitting is easy. Can't wait to see the progress pics on these.

Katherine said...

Too funny! I totally understand you being your best customer - it was the same for me when I worked at We Keep You in Stitches. Sigh. Sarah looks lovely. Sounds like you had a terrific weekend.

barbara said...

Not only do you have the BEST taste in samplers, but in sweaters, too!

Giovanna said...

Love your new starts - will definitely have to get Sarah, that verse is so good!

trillium said...

I like the soft colors of the Miriam Chilvers. The Just Nan Halloween chart looks nice.

Love that Fair Isle black & white sweater!

Dona said...

Glenna, I love the fabric you chose for Miriam - beautiful with the threads. I am also stitching this one. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am!

Great purchases! New stash is good for the soul.