A Finished Cross Stitch

A few weeks ago I told my readers about a very special project I was asked to finish.  A wonderful and supportive woman had started a "Footprints In The Sand" cross stitch for her nephew.  Unfortunately she did not have the chance to finish the piece.

While I had no experience with cross stitch I was honored that I was asked to finish such a meaningful craft. I began right away, and learned as I went.  Thank you to any of my readers who left comments and private messaged me with tips on how to make the cross stitch come out right.  After many nights adding (and sometimes removing) stitches, the cross stitch is finished. 

I am proud that the piece is complete, but it is also bitter sweet in a way.  Ending that last stitch in a way was like letting go of another little piece of Donna.  She will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope that when her family looks at this cross stitch they are reminded of all the happy memories.  It may have been my hands that finished the project, but it was her heart behind this beautiful gift.  Her sister told me Donna was so determined to give this gift that she wore three pairs of magnifying glasses so she could see the stitches she placed on the tree tops.  While she could have easily bought a finished product it was a labor of love.

Once I finished stitching the canvas, I looked it over once more, making sure I did not miss any stitches.  Then I ironed it, back side up, on my iron's linen setting. It didn't take much, just enough to get rid of any of the wrinkles cause by the tension loop.  After, it was ready to be placed in a frame.  Take a look below at the finished cross stitch hanging in the home of Donna's loved ones.

My First Knitting Class

For those of you who have been following recently, you know that I was asked by a friend to go to a knitting class at a local craft store.  Well Sunday was the first class and I now know the basics.  I caught on to casting on pretty quick.  I wish I could say the same about the rest. Our instructor moved kind of fast so it took me a while and some extra practice but I think I finally have knit and purl down. We learned how to increase and decrease as well. 

My initial practice piece was a mess.  As soon as I got home I took it all apart and began from scratch.  I figured out a mistake I was making on my purl rows.  I was placing the needle correctly but I was yarning over from behind my work.  Once I corrected this problem my practice piece finally looks like the beginning of a knit scarf. 

So far I am finding knitting to be harder than crochet.  I am also pretty frustrated that the in the time it would take me to crochet an entire scarf I barely have a square.  I’m hoping with time I will gain so speed.  I have one more class this Sunday and I am looking forward to learning more.  I've been doing some research on my own as well (internet, other knitters, etc) and I will post soon with some tips for beginners.

As for my class, we can bring a pattern we want to try this weekend and our teacher will help guide us through it.  Any suggestions for a cute knit scarf pattern? 

Can I Knit?

I love crafting and I enjoy adding new projects to my ever growing to do list.  A few months ago when I was asked to complete a cross stitch I was nervous.  After completing the cross stitch I fell in love with it.  I have already bought a new one I hope to start soon (This time it is a counted cross stitch).  Recently one of my good friends asked me if I would like to join her for a two-part knitting class.  I love to crochet and have always wanted to expand my needlework to including knitting but I am also a little nervous.  Years of hearing about the difficulty in maintaining even tension and the horrors of dropped stitches is slightly intimidating.  Well I decided I am going to take the classes starting this weekend and give it my all.  I may very well only be cut out to crochet but at the very least I will have enjoyed two Sundays with great company.