Wednesday 2 July 2014

WIPW - A warm summer project

This is the Work In Progress Wednesday report of week 27 of 2014. To read about WIPW, join in, share your work with others and see what other participants have made, click here to go to Pintangle.

The Swedish Cushion
I have not made a great progress, but added two TAST swirls:
#50 Inverted Feather Stitch (on the right)
#52 Triangular Feather Stitch



TAST Reference Chart
I have now completed the first panel of this handy reference chart of TAST stitches. It contains 81 stitches and I am sorry to say I had to look up the instructions for 24 of them!
What I really enjoyed though, was the discovery that stitches I had struggled with when I first learned them, like #60 Diamond Stitch, no longer caused me trouble or frustration. I believe stitches need to 'sink in' before we can enjoy them fully. I am having great hopes for the future for my recent source of hardship, #117 Bullion Vandyke Stitch. Sink in, #117!



NEW! NEW! NEW!
Swedish Wool Embroidery - the Collar
Last summer, while in Sweden, I made two wrist warmers in wool embroidery, using Swedish design.

You might remember I showed this 'teaser' picture some time ago, and now it is time to turn it into a loose collar to go with the wrist warmers.
The first flower is in the working:
I am stitching on black cashmere, a delight to put the needle into, a nightmare to photograph well, so be prepared for 'strange' pictures in the coming weeks.

Whatever you are working on, enjoy it!

23 comments:

Pamela said...

The cushion and collar look great. I'm very impressed with the TAST reference chart and want to make one myself!

Annet said...

Love the new swirls on your cushion, the stitches work very well together. Just took a closer look at your diamond stitch, so pretty! I'm sure the bullion VanDyke will sink in too.
Love the stitches on your collar!

Elizabeth's quarters said...

I think you're right, stitches do 'sink in' after a while, although I'm not sure if I could get to grips with 81 of them!

Queeniepatch said...

The chart is perfect for comparing stitches.

Queeniepatch said...

Having the TAST Reference Chart has helped to pick stitches that go well together. The Diamond stitches were FUN to make!

Queeniepatch said...

Having easy access to the way they look is a great advantage with this TAST reference chart. I hope that one day they will be in the 'head' and I don't need to every look at the chart again!

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

I think you did well remembering so many stitches, I would have had to look up a lot more than 24 of the 81.

carorose said...

I find my 100 stitch sampler a great reference for picking stitches so I understand why you like your reference chart but I will never, ever remember them all. The cushion is looking great and I look forward to seeing your wool embroidery.

Julie Fukuda said...

Teaching knots to scouts and leaders ... use it correctly three times and teach it to three other people... that will make it yours. Maybe it is the same with fancy stitching.

Tanya said...

I loved seeing your wrist warmers in person earlier this year. I even thought about trying to make some myself (Nikko is COLD!). But now that summer has hit my brain doesn't go to warming things very much. Your collar is going to complement the wrist warmers perfectly.

Queeniepatch said...

I will have to look up a lot of the remaining 38 stitches, and as they are the most recently learned that is a bit depressing! I wish I could stitch my memory fast to my brain, a knotted stitch might be best, ha, ha!

Queeniepatch said...

The big difference is that your sampler is also attractive to look at, mine is only utilitarian. I am now 'into' wool embroidery - a good way to keep fingers warm during this cold Swedish summer!

Queeniepatch said...

Practise makes perfect, they say. I still think a bit of time to 'digest' knowledge or skill helps.

Anonymous said...

Such a wonderful reference chart! It must be great to have it on hand all the time. Clever idea!

margaret said...

very impressed in your stitch library and your latest tast stitches, wrist warmer looks interesting. enjoy your time in Sweden

Anonymous said...

the TAST swirls are lovely.especially the inverted feather stitch. looking forward to the wrist warmers, having lived in hot and hotter countries, warm clothing are distant dreamers. how and why wrist warmers are useful?
diamond stitch looks very good. looking at your reference chart, this idea is warming up in my mind.

Queeniepatch said...

It IS good to have on hand.

Queeniepatch said...

So far I have found lots of time for stitching - 'thanks to' the cold weather!

Queeniepatch said...

I was pleased with the two TAST stitches I used for the cushion.
Wrist warmers are practical. If wrists, ankles and neck are covered with something warm, like wool, fur or knitted garments your entire body can keep its warmth better than when you are not wearing them.

Anonymous said...

You have done well remembering all the stitches! Your new project looks interesting.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you. Now for the remaining TAST stitches; I believe there are over 30...

Chris(craft) and Dave(photos) Richards said...

Your tast swirls are so effective and full of texture ! Your reference chart is such an heirloom to pass down and will surely entice the next generation to have a go......and love that flower on the cashmere, my you have been a busy bee whilst I was away !
hugs
Chris Richards
xxxx

Queeniepatch said...

I don't know about heirloom, but the chart IS a source of inspiration as well as a good 'stitch dictionary'.