It is Dimensions’  Naughty or Nice Stocking, but I have changed the fabric to a 28ct lugana.  I’m not sure what I will do with the Aida the kit came with.  I so rarely use it any more–mainly when I want sturdy fabric, like for Lynne Nicoletti’s fortune tellers or for simple kits that are mainly done to pass the time.  I might, though, use Aida to do the Wheel of the Year pillow that is in the new Joan Elliot book since I want that to be sturdy too.  But I digress.

I’ve also mentioned on my Twitter feed that I’ve been knitting Elizabeth Zimmermann’s iconic Baby Surprise Jacket.  Here’s my progress so far, done in Mary Maxim’s Baby’s Best in colour Mint.

Yes, it really that will be a baby jacket.  Amazing, eh?  Elizabeth Zimmermann was a genius.  (To those who know the pattern, I added an eyelet row just to jazz it up.  I might add another one on the back 90 stitching.)

I did finally get that first pink sock bound off.  I went up two needle sizes to a 3.25mm to do it, and truthfully, it is still a bit of a squeeze to get it over my heel.  Maybe toe-up socks aren’t for me.  I’ve never run into this sort of problem with top-down.  I’ve cast on the second sock and made a bit of headway with it.  I really want to get these done so I can get started on these Lily of the Valley Socks.

For those who don’t remember, the pattern is Toe-up Socks with a Difference by Wendy Knits in Mary Maxim Bamboo Soft Stripes in colourway Hibiscus.  The colour is just a little bit off, but they are very pink.

And, to go back to stitching, I have made a little bit of progress on Part 3 of Castles in the Air.  I might work on it more this week, since I feel that I have good progress with the stocking.  Ultimately, it depends how the spirit moves me.

And a couple pieces of news.  First, it looks like Lynne Nicoletti is feeling better and designing again!  Her new Baby Booties design is adorable!  I can’t wait to see her next paper doll.

Also, check out this post by Stitch Bitch: Crafta-tista-liscious-ness.  While I would love to see more young people stitching, I have to agree with what she is saying.  Those “hipsters” who have turned to stitching aren’t really all that hip and are just a little annoying.  Yeah, I can be a bit hypocritical sometimes.  I don’t only want people to stitch the things I like, but I do want people to take the time to learn the craft and have respect for it.  And it would be nice if they released that nekkid people have been done to death.  They aren’t shocking and cool.

In the knitting world there are a few levels of celebrity: famous people who knit (Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep); designers (Norah Gaughan, Cookie A.); and knitters who stand out for some reason, usually writing (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee the Yarn Harlot).  There is also a whole host of well-loved knitting authors of the past who’s work is still considered required reading for any knitter worth her yarn (Elizabeth Zimmermann).

(As an aside, I was tickled to find out that the fabulous Barbara Walker of knitting fame is the same Barbara Walker who has published books on women’s spirituality and Tarot.  I so wish I could go see her speak at the Sock Summit.)

In the cross stitch world we don’t really seem to have this phenomenon.  There are many well-loved and prolific designers, but where are the celebrity stitchers or the writers who regularly have standing-room-only book tours?

Toronto has four yarns shops that I know of, but no needlework shops.  And when was the last time you saw a character on TV or in a movie do any needlework?  Knitting, though, isn’t unusual to see.  And quilting, well, that seems to be a great favourite of Hollywood.

I do love to knit.  It is quick, fairly easy, and provides me with a garment or decor item when I’m done.  Cross stitch, though, is my favourite handicraft.  The result may “only” give me a decor item, but it is always something of great beauty well worth the long hours spent creating it.

I don’t think that cross stitch will ever see the heights of popularity that knitting has.  It is too time consuming for our instant gratification society.  And, really, it can be fairly expensive even at the most simple levels.  Compare $1.69 for a ball of kitchen cotton to $10 for a small cross stitch kit.  (Although, it is true that a large sweater with fancy yarn can run into the hundreds, but so can a Châtelaine cross stitch design.)   I would love to see more cross stitch celebrities of all stripes, though.  Imagine if Angelina said she loves stitching Teresa Wentzler designs, or if we had our own Floss Harlot to sign the praise of making little Xs over and over again.  What we really need is a Cross Stitch Public Awareness League.

A little fun bit of Canadian patriotism for you.

My June goals were:

1. Finish gift mentioned above
2. Finish other gift that involves knitting
3. Work on third secret gift, again, knitting related, but not expecting to finish it
4. Finish two more cross stitch related secret gift
5. Lose 3lbs
6. Organize free cross stitch charts
7. Write at least one article of main website
8. Finish a pair of socks

I didn’t go quite as well as I had hope.  I finished all the gifts, cross stitch and knitting, except one.  But, as I say in #3, I wasn’t expecting to finish it anyway.  I did make some good progress, and I wish I could share pictures.  I also wrote one article for my main website, although I would have liked to write more.

I didn’t lose 3lbs.  I think I gained about 1.5lbs.  But, I have started working out regularly, so I am trying to convince myself it is muscle I gained.  (I bought some dresses the other day in a size I haven’t worn since the start of university, and I look damn good in them.  So, I’m not really all the upset.)  I also didn’t finish a pair of socks.  This is mostly due to the setback caused by those socks that pooled so horribly. I  lost my sock mojo for a little while.  I do have one of a pair nearly done, and I will cast them off tonight.  And, no, I didn’t organize my free charts.  That’s two months in a row!

Now, July goals:

1. Finish the remaining secret gift
2. Make significant progress on Baby Man’s Christmas socking
3. Make significant progress on Baby Man’s birth sampler, Victoria Sampler’s Heirloom Birth Sampler (yes, I still haven’t stitched one)
4. No more stash of any sort (with the exception of the two cross stitch charts I have on order and am still waiting for; no rush for those)
5. Finish the pink socks
6. Finish a Baby Surprise Jacket for a gift
7. Lose 3lbs (for real this month)
8. Complete part 3 of Castles in the Air

My goodness, that is a whole lot of things to do!  We shall see how successful I am.  To help remind me of my goals this month, I’ve written them out and placed them beside my computer.  Hopefully that will help me stay focused!

Will anyone else be sharing their goals on their blog?

On the top row from the left to the right they are Mason-Dixson Washcloth, Morning Glory Washcloth from Lion Brand, Grandmother’s Favourite Dishcloth, Multidirectional Diagional Dishcloth.  And left to right on the bottom row they are Ball Band Dishcloth, DW Darrell Waltrip Knitted Cloth, and Interwined Dishcloth.  They were knit using either Lily’s Sugar ‘n’ Cream or Bernat Handicrafter Cotton.

Still with the knitting, the pink sock I shared the other day is complete except for being bound off.  I’ve tried twice already and both times it was much too tight.  I’m going to give it another go with a bigger needle tonight or tomorrow, depending on when I stop being angry with it.

I’ve also made progress on my lovely moss-coloured Tesla scarf. I’ve still got about 5″ more to go though.  *sigh*

Remember the teaser picutres I shared a few days ago of some cross stitch projects?  Well, one was a gift for my dad for father’s day.  Now that I’ve finally given it to him, I can share my completed Seaside Garden Sampler by Victoria Sampler.  It was stitched using the thread pack on 28ct. Silkweaver Spring Breeze and finished into a bellpull by me!

I’ve also finally finished Part 2 of Papillon Creation’s SAL Castles in the Air.  Thank goodness!  I really want to get Part 3 done this week, because July is supposed to be about getting Baby Man’s socking done and getting a good start on Lynn Nicoletti’s Velveteen Rabbit.  (I got some lovely hand-dyed Jobelan from Wichelt in colour Summer Sky.)

The Nova Scotia heart design that I shared a little while ago was well received by the recipients.  Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of it framed.  (I framed it myself in a store-bought frame with a large mat/fillet style design.)  It is always nice when someone appreciates the gift that you have spent a good deal of time and thought on.

So, what’s my plan for this week?  Get that pink sock bound off, work on a Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend’s new baby, Part 3 of Castles in the Air, and, if I’m still motived, finish up the Canadian flag I’m stitching. Oh, and maybe get the second pink sock started.

June 22^nd was the new moon, and the day I was supposed to post my Totally Useless Stitch Along picture.  Of course I forgot, and then I didn’t get around to it yesterday.  But, here it is now:

There are a bunch of bits from Once Upon a Tree and some fabric and sewing thread from a piece I finished into a bellpull yesterday.  (Pictures of that coming soon.)  Below the fabric are a whole bunch of bits of yarn from all those dishcloths.  (Pictures of them coming soon too!)

As for what is on my knitting needles, I am still plugging away on my pink sock.  I’m working on the leg now and will hopefully have the first one of the pair done by the end of the weekend.  (Plain stockinette is not inspiring too me, so I’m not working very hard on it.)  I’m also working on Tesla from the Summer 2009 Knotions.  The yarn is a silk and sea cell (product of seaweed) blend from Dye-Versions in colourway Moss.  It starts with a beaded long-tail cast-on, which was boring to do but looks fabulous.

If I like the finished product, I may make one or two for gifts.  Possibly using the Dye-Version yarn (which I have to go to the other side of the city for) or with the called for Handmaiden yarn (also a silk and sea cell blend and carried by my LYS).

I’m currently stitching a small Canadian flag designed by Lynne Nicoletti, and will be trying to get caught up on Castles in the Air over the next week or so.  July, I have decided, will be mainly about getting Baby Man’s stocking done and (hopefully!) getting to work on Lynne Nicolett’s Velveteen Rabbit for him.  And, maybe, getting a start on Heirloom Stitching Sampler too.

And speaking of socks, for the past few days I’ve been working on Toe-Up Socks with a Difference by Wendy D. Johnson of Wendy Knits.  What’s the difference, you many be asking.  Well, the gusset increase is on the bottom of the foot.  Take a look:

I’ve now turned the heel and completed decreased all the way back to the required 62 stitches.  From now on it is just plain stockinette stitch until I think the sock is long enough.  How long that is, I don’t know yet.  And, for those interested, the yarn is Mary Maxim’s Bamboo Soft Stripes in colourway 3838 Hibiscus.  This is the same yarn I used to make my little bamboo sockies, and I really like how it is wearing.  They just released a new colour, Spring Rain, that I love.

Knitting from the toe up is pretty neat.  I have a sock foot that fits exactly right, and it is much easier to quit when I’m bored of the sock.  If I did that with a top down sock, it wouldn’t have any toes!

As for cross stitch, I’ve become obsessed with getting caught up on Jeanette Douglas’ Once Upon a Tree.  The picture below was taken this morning.  Since then I have finished up a good portion of the bottom tree.  I just have two yellow flowers to backstitch around and all the speciality stitches that use Gloriana silk Summer ‘n’ Smoke to do.  And then it gets put away until August or so, when the next issue of Just Cross Stitch comes out.  (Notice that I changed the u in “Upon” to a capital letter.  The small u looked weird to me, and I have been inspired by how well Tracy J makes changes designs.  Baby steps!)

Note that I am using DMC everywhere I can in this design.  I just couldn’t justify the price of silks when so little of each colour is needed.  The exceptions are Gloriana silk Summer ‘n’ Smoke and Fallen Leaves because there is no DMC equivalent.  I think the design is turning out really well with the DMC.  It might be a bit brighter than the model, but I still love it.

Once I’m caught up, I will probably try to get caught up on Papillion Creations’ Castles in the Air.  I’m still only about half way through part 2, and part 4 is due out any day.

Tomorrow I’ll share my jar for the TUSAL (I forgot it was the new moon today), and maybe a picture of my lovely seaweed and silk scarf that is in progress.  And, if I’m really lucky, maybe I will have Once Upon a Tree finished too.

Misogyny isn’t a new phenomenon in advertising, but it usually isn’t targeted so specifically at women, nor is it usually so blatant.  For example, the last ad says “Shop like never before, with your own freckled pile of cellulite.”  What is that?!  How is that appealing to a female demographic?  To me, these ads only show a hatred of women and an attempt to exploit the insecurities that most of us have.

Not being much of a drinker, me boycotting Bacardi won’t have any affect.  I don’t know what to do other then be angry and let others know why.  They are a small, family-owned company that only sells spirits, but hopefully enough voices will be raised in anger over these ads that they will pull them.  I fear, though, that the damage has been done.

Now, I really miss working with my Tarot cards, doing meditation, and all of that.  I have a couple of new decks, the Mystic Dreamer Tarot and The Anubis Oracle, that I would really love to work with.  So, I’ve been thinking about what I can do to get myself mentally back in shape.  Coincidentally, I got the book Mindful Knitting from the library on Monday.  The gist of the book is that knitting is a meditative act.  Your mind is able to rest gently on the knitting process, much like it can rest on your breathing or on a mantra.  A lot of us, I think, when knitting or cross stitching watch TV, read blogs, or whatever.  But I’ve been wondering what would happen if I just decided to knit.  Would it be as refreshing as a meditation session?

So, I think I’ve given myself a new experiment.  Maybe I can keep up my obsessive knitting and still get myself back into my old mental shape.  I’d really like to return to some of my old pursuits, and I came across a quote in Mason-Dixon Knitting that just might provide me with the drive:

No project is too ambitious if you crave the results enough.

I think that cross stitch takes too much mental energy, though.  Especially since I seem to keep picking charts with errors (I’m looking at you Once Upon a Tree!) or complicated speciality stitches.  And that’s okay.  Sometimes I think I want to just be able to mindlessly (or mindfully) knit away on a sock, but other times I want to be challenged by a great cross stitch design.  Both acts, I think, will help me mental, if I choose to use them that way.

I find the framing process the most difficult part of a cross stitch project, I think.  I’m done with the piece, and now I am handing it off to someone else.  And there are so many options at a framers that, even with the framer’s advice and experience, it is easy to make a mistake in choosing the frame or matte.  But, I think all the worrying is probably for nought.  Only once have I been unhappy with the finished product: the frame for The Castle.  That was the first time I had a piece framed, and I think the frame itself is too small and that I should have had a matte.

I think knitting has it’s own version of taking somthing to the framers: the sewing up process.  You have this lovely piece, but it isn’t quite done.  Instead on needing a frame, it needs seams.  And just as the wrong frame can make a lovely cross stitch picture look a bit off, poor seams can ruin a knitting project.  Starting Wednesday evening, I’m taking a three night finishing class with the finishing guru at my LNS.  I’m really looking forward to learning the proper way to do all sort of seams and other knitterly things.  We did learn some seaming at my beginners knitting class, but at that time I was more interested in just understanding the knit and purl process, and the seaming section just didn’t stick.  So, to get ready for my class, I’ve been knitting 5″ stockette squares in Super 10.   Not the most exciting knitting project in the world, but one that will help me improve my skills so I can knit something like Evangeline one day.

Over the weekend I managed for finish up the winter tree from Jeanette Douglas’ Once Upon a Tree from Just Cross Stitch magazine.  Since I am cheap, I am using DMC for all the colours that have a DMC subsituted listed.  I did break down and get the two Gloriana colours that didn’t have a conversion.  Als, I decided to have the beads “follow” the snowflake around rather than all lie the same way. (As an aside, I can’t believe the kit JCS is selling for this.  It has full skeins of all the colours.  I didn’t even use a full lenght of any of the colours I’ve stitched with so far.  There is no need for full skeins!)