Friday 17 November 2017

Stitching and Trying My Hand at Socks!

Seriously how did it get to be November already! Not only November but the 17th November!! Not long now to December!

So I have plenty to show since my last blog post but some bits that I can't show as they are ornaments for my private ornament exchanges with Chris and Barb and a couple of Christmas gifts that I'm stitching on too. Need to get those finished ASAP!

I've been doing a little finishing too. These bits were all sewn up and just needed the trim on so I gave myself a good talking to and got that done. 



I have had a finish :) Not sure I'll actually have anymore this month as I seem to be doing quite a bit of reverse stitching of late which is not good! As you will know Barb and I SAL together a couple of times a week and we have both finished our sheep SAL.

Country Cottage Needleworks Jump for Joy

32 count Permin Lambswool linen

DMC

Started 25th August 2017

Finished 6th November 2017.

It is just so cute!

So because we'd finished that we had to have a new start! well it would be rude not to wouldn't it?! We started Little House Needleworks Born in a Manger. I am stitching mine on 40 count vintage country mocha linen using DMC and Classic Colorworks. I love how it looks on 40 count and, of course, I love vintage country mocha linen. It is my favourite.

The new SAL on the LHN/CCN Facebook group has started so I've had another new start. It is LHN Christmas Angel. This is one I've had reverse stitching on! I didn't like the colour of the wings once I'd got a bit stitched on that so I took it out and used a lighter colour. Then I discovered I was out a little on one of her arms and it looked like it was broken lol! So that came out and I restitched it. Fingers crossed for no more mistakes!

I'm also using LHN Lantern Lane for the SAL as we can use Christmas/Winter ones that we have already started. I have also been reverse stitching on this one as I hadn't left enough space between one of the letters. I got them all restitched and a few more! 

I am still stitching away on Mani Di Donna Winter Days Sewing Basket and am so desperate to get it finished now. I am at the stage where I really don't want to stitch on it anymore. I don't know why as I love the design.

Final stitchy photo is..............................yep Mini Jolly Old Fellow. Ta-Dah I have finished page 8!!!! Just one more teeny page to go now :)

I was very lucky when my name was picked out on the LHN/CCN Facebook Autumn SAL group to win one of Vonna's gorgeous project bags. Let me tell you it is beautiful! It arrived the other day and I now have a project in it. This photo really does not do it justice. Thank you so much Vonna :)

I have picked up my knitting needles again. I haven't knitted anything since the aran jumper last year. I'd bought some tinsel chunky wool and a pattern to knit a snowman just before Christmas last year and had put it away in a cupboard. I decided it was time to get on with it and I now have a very cute snowman!

I think my plan is to use up my wool stash to give me room in the cupboard although I don't have much. So next on my needles is socks. I have had the kit for a few years and have been too scared to try. However it is one of the things that I really want to try so last week I cast on. I ended up having 3 attempts and on the 3rd attempt I was away thanks to a friend on Facebook who gave me a tip. I am now ready to do the heal and that is scaring me lol! Fingers crossed I can do it. I have heard many people say that socks knitting is addictive and I have already been looking at more sock wool! I am being good until I know whether I can complete a sock or not!

A couple of weeks my DH and I went up to Pickering to see my good friend Chris who has moved up there. It was so good to see her and her DH again and we had a lovely day. Then last Saturday my surrogate sis and dear friend Lisa was in Hornsea for the weekend so we had a stitchy afternoon. I don't think we've seen each other for 2 years at least so it was really good to get together and catch up. It makes me feel sad that my lovely stitchy friends live so far away but it makes it even more special when I get to see them. There are many I would love to meet that live too far away. 

That's all my news for now. I will catch up with you all hopefully over the weekend. Thank you for sticking with me even though my posts are few and far between.

With much love,

Sally xxxx


19 comments:

Vickie said...

Oh Sally your stitching you got finished is so very,very nice! I am so impressed with that snowman! Your sock looks to be wonderful.

Barb said...

Nice pieces.

Kay said...

You have been busy. I love how the trims make the stitching pop more. The bright blue pompom trim is especially fun. x

Linda said...

Congrats on all of the gorgeous finishes Sally. I so wish I could do that. Your little snowman is adorable. Love all your new starts and the socks look great.

Linda

Jackie's Stitches said...

You're always so productive! Great job on getting your trim on and finishing! How fortunate to win one of Vonna's bags - she is truly an inspiration to us all. I'm so glad she shares what she knows with us.

You can get through a sock heel. The first time is the hardest because it's hard to trust the process. Once you realize it actually works, you'll be good to go!

Susan said...

Busy, busy, busy! Everything looks amazing. I LOVE that snowman. Socks are on my wish to learn list too. I bought lots of yarn for all the wonderful socks I was going to knit but have not got the nerve up yet. Beautiful finishing - I have all three of those patterns in my to-be-stitched pile.

RJ said...

Hi Sally! You have accomplished so much. I really like all of the trims you used on the first three ornaments. They finish them perfectly. Jump for Joy is adorable. I can see why you like this one so much. Born in the Manager is so lovely and I know you will enjoy stitching this one. The angel is so sweet but so sorry you had to pull out the wings. I love, love, love the Lantern Lane and must put that one on my wish list Mani di Donna looks like alot of work but you are doing great. You are so close on the Mini Jolly Old Fellow. Congratulations on winning the project bag from Vonna...I know you will enjoy it. Your little snowman is so fluffy and sweet...great job! And your socks look so warm. You are doing great on them. So happy to hear about your visits with your old stitching friends. I know how much more fun it is to stitch with friends. Have a great weekend. RJ@stitchingfriendsforever

butterfly said...


Sally you have been busy , beautiful post of finishes and wips , you do stitch some wonderful designs .
I agree this year has passed by far to fast again.
Your Santa looks wonderful almost there , will you finish him for Christmas? what a jolly santa looks wonderful.
Enjoy your weekend .

Mary said...

Sally, What a fun packed post!!! I love your finishing, the little pom trim really makes the ornaments special. I just love the Autumn Band stitch and have to add that to my growing stash. Congrats on winning the pretty, fall themed back from Vonna. She does such beautiful work.

That Jolly Santa is amazing and I could never find the time to do such a stitch heavy piece, I love all the detail and that he is holding a little train, precious!

And yet you have time for knitting too!! Lovely socks to keep you warm on winter nights. I have faith you will be able to knit them!

You are so lucky to be able to stitch with Barb, I wish RJ and I didn't live so far away, I would love to stitch with her. Have a great weekend. Mary

Maggee said...

Wow! When you come back, you come back in a BIG way! Such lovely finishing AND finishes! Plus your WIPS/SAL pieces are going along well. But--the BIG news is that you have only ONE skinny page left on Jolly Old Fellow! Oh wow--I really hope that you get it done before the year is over! What a terrific piece, and you are so very close! You can do it! Thanks so much for sharing all of your lovely pieces and progress pics. Hugs!

Brigitte said...

The finishing on the first three projects is just perfect. You used some very nice trimming on them. Great other projects, finished or started. And the Jolly Old Fellow seems to be on the home stretch. A wonderful design.

Penny said...

You did such a lovely job finishing your pieces, Sally! And those little sheep are adorable. : ) You are so close to finishing your Santa! I think the secret for me was no distractions when knitting the heels on the pair of socks I did - I know you can do it! It is always so nice to catch up with what you have been doing. : )

Katie said...

So many beautiful projects in this post. I love the trims and the finishes you posted. The trim is perfect for each one. Congrats on your finish and I love the new starts. Sorry the frog keeps hopping around with your pieces and hope he leaves you alone soon. Congrats on the page finish on the Jolly Old Fellow.

mdgtjulie said...

Wow, you've been crazy busy. The trim looks well done. I love the most the trim on the snowman piece, but that's probably cause blue is one of my fave colors. You sheep are so cute too. Not something that I would normally like, but that's just darling. (And so is your little stuffed sheep. Too cute!!!) Plus I love your sock, so far. (Again, with the blue, lol.) And the snowman is too cute. It makes me wish I could knit. I'm absolutely hopeless at it though. So I have the same feelings about friends being so far away. And some of mine are on the other side of the world, literally. But I talk to them when I can, and love them anyways. After all, to me, that's what life is about - love and friendship. Here's hoping you have many more meetups with stitchy friends.

Julie said...

Love the little snowman and well done on trying the socks, they looks great, you'll have them on your feet in no time at all. You'll be fine doing the heel, just take it slowly and once you've done it once and it works you'll wonder what all the panic was about!
Lovely stitching as always, you have to get Jolly old finished this year.. you really must.

xx

Christine said...

Lovely stitching and finishing Sally, and your knitted snowman is adorable.
Good luck turning your heel

Carol said...

Such a beautiful post, Sally--your finished ornaments are so special and well done :) Lovely stitching and well done on your sock knitting!

Andrea said...

Wonderful finishing. The snowman is just so cute. Your WIPs are coming along nicely and Father Christmas .... I know you will finish him before the big day.

Astrids dragon said...

Oh wow, your finishes are fabulous! I really love the sheep, the fabric is perfect with it.
Your wips look great, I hope you continue with the Winder Days, it looks so lovely. And your Jolly Old Fellow is so close, he's awesome.
Yes, lucky you on your win, great colour!
I love your snowman, he is so adorable. I hope he has friends!
Your sock looks good so far, I'm not sure I'd be able to tackle that.