Our Friends' HAED SAL: Lesley Ivory

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Lesley Ivory - Amulet and Emmeline

I haven't been around much though I've been busy stitching. Mostly Hardanger patterns though for Christmas gifts (some will be for coasters and some for cards and one birthday gift in there too), but in between I have been busy trying to complete the first row of one of my favorite pieces. It is being stitched on Charles Craft Alphabet 18ct Afghan Fabric , 2 over 1 and is the centerpiece of a cat themed afghan. I have been working on this for a little over 2 years. Because the fabric is pretty heavy (especially with a cat on your lap while your stitching) I tend to only work on it when the weather gets cooler. I was going to wait till I completed page 4 and the first row, but decided it had been so long since I posted that I would show you how far I have gotten on this one.

This is how far I have gotten

This is what it will look like when finished

Thanks for looking!

Carole

5 comments:

sharine said...: It looks awesome!; December 10, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Heather, aka: Big Auntie said...: That is so adorable! You are doing a great job. Keep up the great work!; December 10, 2013 at 12:54 PM
Crafty Witch said...: That Looks really really good!; December 10, 2013 at 6:16 PM
Lonneke said...: OH, I really like this one. I think it looks very nice!
Can't wait to see more.; December 13, 2013 at 2:44 AM
Unknown said...: what beautiful colors, I do not know what model you have already worked on it, bravo; December 14, 2013 at 10:05 PM

Tutorials

How to Carry Threads
This is really easy...it takes a while to get used to though....and your back will look terrible...this you will have to live with...One thing...You will be working your 10 x 10 grids in colums...it makes it easier...
1. Start with a 10 x 10 grid..
2. Find your first symbol...and stitch all of that symbol in your 10 x 10 grid....When finished...
3. Find the same symbol on the 10 x 10 grid below it...take your needle and bring your thread up like you are going to make the first 1/2 of the X ...but don't do it...just unthread your needle and lay the thread down..
4. Go back to the first grid you were working on...and stitch the next symbol the same way....when finished bring your thread down....
5. continue each symbol until your first 10 x 10 grid is finished....
6. start the next 10 x 10 grid ....you should have thread there already for you to pick up and stitch...
Posted by Vickie 3/7/2009

Tent Stitching (Wikipedia)
Tent stitch variants
There are three types of tent stitch, all producing the same appearance on the front of the canvas but each worked in a slightly different way and having particular characteristics, uses, benefits and drawbacks. These variants of tent stitch are known as basketweave, continental and half cross tent stitches:
Basketweave tent stitch - The basketweave form of tent stitch is worked in diagonal rows up and down the canvas. The yarn on the back of the canvas has a typical basketweave appearance, with alternating horizontal and vertical stitches. Basketweave is the best stitch to use for covering large areas of canvas as it does not distort the canvas as the other two forms of tent stitch do.
Continental tent stitch - Continental stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitches appear diagonally across two threads. This method uses more yarn than half cross stitch tent stitch but is more hardwearing.
Half cross tent stitch - Half cross stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitch appears vertical or horizontal, not diagonal, and crosses only one thread. This method uses less yarn than other stitches but is not very durable as coverage on the back of the canvas is a little thin.