January 21, 2012

WIP 10: Ann Dale 1827 (Plus Size)

Today is drippy, rainy/icy and gray, so it's perfect for stitching on this bright, engaging sampler--"Ann Dale 1827: Big and Beautiful" by Shakespeare's Peddler. This doesn't count as a new start, because I put a day of stitching into it back in December, since I have zero impulse control when it comes to buying a new sampler, fabric and thread and bring it home without starting it immediately. If you are on the fence about stitching this up because of the size, go ahead and get it. While it is a bit larger surface-wise--yes, it does take a full half yard of fabric in 40 count--there is quite a bit of unfilled white space around the elements of the design. Only the very bottom third of the sampler with the swans, the hills, some birds, some trees, a couple of flower-filled urns and a large tree of life is really densely stitched. Take it from someone who just started an HAED design (more about that in another post), this really isn't that daunting. The border, unlike a lot of borders I'm working on for other samplers, is repetitive and small enough to commit to memory, so it's an easy stitch while watching tv or visiting with friends. I've made a couple of color changes to the threads, because as I said on the last post on this sampler, I don't care for the recommended Lakeside Pear. Too green for me, and when I did the floss toss, I liked the colors of the thread against the Picture This Plus Legacy instead. I did change of couple of colors of floss, because I thought they were too pale for the new fabric or the design needed a little spark of color. You can tell where I did so starting on the second strawberry from the top left. I'll leave the original color as is, without picking it out. It's a repro sampler, so color changes in the middle of things are part of the charm. Same thing on the dye lots. I don't buy all my threads at once. Some of the colors called for four or five skeins, and I'll get them as I go (of course my life is made simpler by working in and living near my LNS, so I can pick things up without planning ahead). The only time I care about dye lots is if I'm knitting a sweater--I don't want two different color sleeves. [Edited to add, after reading Margaret's and Stef's coments: I think there are some color issues in this sampler that beg to be adjusted or played with. Stef, changing from the 692 to 693 is a great idea. I changed to 843--it's greener, plus I didn't have 693 handy. Also I changed the stems of the plant to a pale green (AVAS) from what appeared to be almost a white, and instead of making the tips of the strawberries that same whiteish color, I'm using a pale pink from AVAS, 641. I also think that even on 40 count, AVAS has a better coverage.]


Here's the sampler in its entirety, although this is a photo of the original sampler, not the repro.


Pink thinks it's a good idea to pretend to lie in a green field, have a nap and dream of spring.


See you again soon!

17 comments:

Margaret said...

I'm still on the fence about this one. I really like it, but the repro of the smaller piece based on it I wasn't sure I liked how the colors worked out. I hope to see more progress on yours so I can decide. :D

Stef said...

Love your start on Ann Dale, she is beautiful & BIG!! I had to chuckle at the Plus Size title! I had the same problem with NPI 692 disappearing and changed it to 693 instead and the color works out so much better. Can't wait to see your progress on her!

Cari said...

Plus size indeed!! It's going to be fun to watch this one come to life !!

Mouse said...

ooooo it does look gorgeous with your colours but a wee bit to much for me atm as got loads on ... will follow your progress ;) love mouse xxxx

Gabi said...

Love your version. Not sure yet what to do. I was totally in love with this sampler, but did not like how the colors worked out on the small sampler.
Looking really forward to see your progress on this one

Erica said...

Your wip is lovely!
Beautiful colors!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I'll take your word for it that the size is manageable. It still looks like a BAP to me. Great start and I always enjoy seeing pics of your adorable bunnies.

Catherine said...

Great start! I'm interested in how yours goes, as I haven't decided if it's a must have for me yet.

Margaret said...

Can't blame Peach for pretending spring has arrived. That's one smart rabbit.

Ann Dale is lovely but oh so large. You're right though a HAED is very daunting too. Can hardly wait to hear more about that.

samplerlover said...

Great start on such a lovely sampler. I also am looking forward to seeing this one grow.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

That sampler is lovely. And I think Pink has the right idea.

barbara said...

Oh, Pink - you're after my heart. I'm going to go lay down on a green towel now and daydream. :)

Crafty Green Poet said...

Pink's definitely got the right idea!

Siobhán said...

Seriously, you are killing me!! I was all set to wait on this but now I feel more and more tempted to order the chart and threads. LOVE your progress on it!

Brigitte said...

Just let your WIPs roll on. I'm already waiting for seeing the next appear on your blog. Everything is pure eye candy. I know if I had access to all these wonderful charts I wouldn't stitch anything else, lol.

Mindi said...

I'm totally in love with this, but my track record at finishing BAPs is horrendous. I have the chart, floss is on its way, and I'm sure I have fabric in my stash, but for now I think I'm just going to makes notes of the floss changes you're doing. I'm usually never satisfied with all charted colors and have to make changes, but I'm no longer near an LNS so it makes it a bit harder.

Melissa said...

I love your start on Ann Dale!

I stitch HAED so the size of a sampler doesn't scare me at all! Can't wait to see which one you started.