Hedgehog Blog

Merlot Nuss - almost finished

2012-01-03T23:33:00.004-05:00

After knitting three cowls and a hat (not shown...must take a photo next time I see my son) and finishing a skein of wool (that I started in January!) , I made great progress on my Merlot Nuss. It is all put together and blocked, awaiting buttons.

Being cat blocked, as usual! I had to pause in my attempt to insert the second sleeve, awaiting a very cute incredibly adorable cat to wake up.

And here I thought I hadn't hadn't knit much in 2011!

I am torn between knitting up the newly spun yarn into another cowl (another one! yes, this one for myself) and finishing some stitching I started in early December. I didn't get it finished for this Christmas, but if I start now, I can stock pile for Christmas 2012.

Potato Chip Spinning (credit to the Knitmores)

2011-12-18T16:34:00.000-05:00

I had places to go and people to see, quite literally, but my spinning wheel was looking at me, and saying, "Just try some Navajo plying. Just a few minutes." The phone rang, I needed to get the shop to take the kits over that I had intended to drop off in the morning. I was supposed to be in Don Mills by 5, to be back to the shop by 7, 8 at the latest. This is all very difficult to accomplish if one is mesmerized by the siren song of the Navajo ply.

It simply goes on and on, with no end until you come to the end of the bobbin.

If you thought "I just have to finish this row" could suck you in, Navajo plying is an order of magnitude above that.

Late to the shop, late to the party, no hope of getting back to the shop that night for knit night. But Navajo ply complete

I need to credit the Knitmores (knitmoregirls.blogspot.com) with the term Potato Chip Knitting (it is basically knitting you just can't put down or can't stop until the bag is finished, so to speak.). Hence, Navajo plying is Potato Chip spinning...just can't put it down until all of the spinning is finished.

Oubliette

2011-08-12T00:09:00.000-04:00

noun

a secret dungeon with an opening only in the ceiling, as in certain old castles

What an apt word!

Thanks to the ladies at Kniterary and Knit Night, I no longer have a Maze gone terribly wrong, I have an Oubliette.

Oubliette! What a lovely word! Everything sounds better in French, or with a British accent.

Leaving Well Enough Alone

2011-08-10T22:47:00.000-04:00

There are times you should just move on!

While laying out "the maze" I noticed there were a few sections that were enclosed, as in, you can't get to those lines, and if you were air lifted into those sections you couldn't get out. I was puzzled, referred to the diagram I had printed from the pattern, I had followed it meticulously. I moved on.

Geri faved the maze blanket and then faved Wooly Thoughts original. Side by side they looked different...but why? I checked the original.

OMG....I had handed the 4 triangles to Kate, asked her to glue them together (totally unnecessary, now that I look at it, because there is a one piece complete drawing in the instructions!!!!). She dutifully glued, and I dutifully knit, and for 103,584 stitches and countless views of the diagram I never asked myself about this. Not once.

The fact is, the 4 triangles could have been glued together in 6 possible ways. Hmmm, I wonder what they each look like. But I digress.

Had I not been so terribly clever and knit the blanket all in one piece, I could simply unseam, rearrange and reseam.

I will QA any future gluing.

I am dizzy.

I will not think of this, I will move on. It is not perfect, it is unique. Man, is it ever unique!

Heaven help anyone who is airlifted onto this blanket.

I could steek it and cut it and sew it back together. Now that is really crazy!

On too socks and other things.

The Maze is Finished, Birdhouses Stitched, Sampler of Teas Begun

2011-08-06T23:20:00.003-04:00

The Maze is finished...the only thing I would have done differently is to work the last green and last black in the round. I decided to sew the seam rather than work in the round so that I could knit every row (purling over 1200 stitches seemed way too painful), but I should have explored a few more options and avoided that final tiny, not quite perfect seam. But, it is finished, 23 days ahead of schedule. The "princess" declared "that's a nice blanket", and assumed ownership as soon as photos were taken over at Kniterary today.

Cleo couldn't wait to try it out (she failed at the maze (she's no mouse), but she was quite successful at sleeping).

And now I am on to other things. I have photos of the Seasonal Birdhouses, finished a few weeks ago, ready for final finishing, but the blanket took precedence, so I think I will block it tomorrow and prepare for the edge. Meanwhile, I started Sampler of Teas by Lisa Cowell. It is coming along nicely. The letters should be finished tomorrow, and perhaps even some of the teapots stitched.

Serial Knitter/Stitcher

2011-07-06T23:01:00.004-04:00

I am knitting a maze blanket for Kate when she goes away to school. It is over 80% finished. Intarsia in the round. I realize I am a serial stitcher/knitter. Not much else gets attention when a big project is underway, especially if there is a deadline.

However, this is getting so big now it cannot be worked on in public or at the cottage, soooo, am also working on the Seasonal Birdhouses bell pull. I haven't taken a picture of mine yet, but you can see the X's and Oh's design in the photo. I did all of the backstitching this past weekend. Next up...the vines on either side.. Then the leave and finishing.

The Brown Beast - Done, Done, Done

2011-04-20T22:13:00.001-04:00

The stitching is finished.

It has to be washed, blocked, framed, etc. But the stitching is DONE.

It was ordered and started for my husband (he wasn't my husband at the time) in 1978 by my mother-in-law and finished by me April 20, 2011.

It just occurred to me that it would have been my mother-in-law's 97th birthday today. How apropos!

Happy Birthday Jacoba Anna Baaij

Brown Beast is slowly approaching....completion

2011-04-19T01:17:00.000-04:00

The Brown Beast is almost there - 15-20 more hours, tops. The upper left sections took 3 hours to complete, if that can be used as an indicator. Yes, I have my next (two) projects lined up, awaiting the completion of the beast.

Sunday Sunshine Stitching and TED TV

2011-01-30T21:41:00.001-05:00

Are you wondering how the Brown Beast is coming along?
This is what it looked like yesterday morning

Here he is now! I have reached the top and completed one of the top corners. The heavy lifting is done. Very little reference to charts at this point. Far left is dark brown, middle section is medium brown and the glob in the right is the light brown. I can almost taste it.

And, I think I will get some socks finished in the near future too (meaning some time in early February.

Here is an interesting TED TV clip that my son (yes, my son) pointed out to me . Crochet Coral. And here I thought he was ignoring me all these years (I didn't quiz him on the difference between knit and crochet, will save that for another time). This reminds me of Martina

I have been reading books by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, the Danger of a Single Story. I first heard this piece on the QN Podcast, and it grabbed my attention, to realize how ignorant I am of African history and how I had only one story, despite studying Africa in geography in Senior Public School. We heard about starving Biafrans when we were growing up, and that is the image that stuck. We never really understood that it was a civil war in Nigeria that turned a thriving country into starvation. Her books are fascinating, educating and humbling.I have read Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun and have just started The Thing Around Your Neck. These books are difficult to put down. Here is a link to where you can get the books

Hardanger isn't so hard after all

2010-11-28T23:38:00.000-05:00

I CUT MY FABRIC for the first time today, ever. This was much the same feeling as steeking for the first time. A little scary, then once you have done it, a little exhilarating and then addictive. I whipped through the wrapped bars and dove's eyes in no time! This is for an ornament exchange. I don't mind if the girls see it, since the gifts are wrapped and pretty anonymous.

The design is the free Winter Biscornu from Victoria Sampler. A very good design and perfect for first time Hardanger and first time Biscornu (technically second time, but I cheated in assembling the first one, so this is the first time I have truly assembled correctly.

Don't you just love the fall colours? I am finding that the rusts and golds and browns have struck my fancy this fall.

And look how far the Brown Beast has come lately. I have had a few days off from work here and there and stitched in the kitchen in the sun. Looking forward to reaching the top very, very soon

Brown Beast, Spinning and Felted Bag

2010-10-31T20:53:00.001-04:00

I have been focusing on the Brown Beast and making great progress. I am determined to finish it in the next 6-12 months. Haven't done the math lately, you know, the one where you calculate how many stitches are left. That can wait until I am working on the last page of the graphs. Sundays are for stitching, so if I don't have too much unplanned work from The Job, I can get quite a bit done. On the other hand, if I am on calls and mostly waiting I can get a few rows done if I don't have to count.
This is what it looked like in May 2008. And, while I thought I would progress faster, I am pleased with where I am now

What else have I been doing. Spinning! Trying out the various bobbins Jim made me last year. It was great to slow the wheel down and be able to improve my drafting skills. I am not spinning rope any more, and with this gold and green I am ready to make a beautiful scarf with a small leaf pattern.... one of my favourite patterns. I have a long way to go before I am consistent and good at spinning, but I am liking the results a lot more. The dyed fleece is from The Black Lamb. And, when I have a quiet Sunday with things going well I will make a trek out there for more. In the meantime I have some mohair / merino from Romni Wools from many years ago when I first was introduced to spinning. It is good to practice on and with 250 grams if I lose a few to experimentation I still have enough for something.

And, finally, working on the felted bag pattern, with the attached i-cord that you knit straight off of for the next rows. Here are a few photographs that I will use in writing up the pattern. Basically, you knit the base, with some short rows to create an angle, then make attached i-cord, but wrap the yarn around the needle before knitting a row, so you have the next row already on the needs. It makes a very loose row, but from the prototype the felting takes care of the extra large loops. I hope this one works out the same!

Finishing ... and there's a needle down there

2010-05-24T22:06:00.000-04:00

What a week. Many weeks work has culminated in:

(a) finished Mom's Vest -
it turned out beautifully,
even if I say so myself

(b) Lady of the Roses - wonderful weather at the cottage meant many stitching hours.

Enough to finish the basket, hat, ribbons, leaves and touches here and there. I thought I would be able to make a significant dent in it this weekend, but didn't think I would get completely finished and

While removing some misplaced stitches with my needle...poing...the needle flipped out of my hand and into the water. Luckily it was the smaller needle, so i could continue with the larger one. I have special needles in the shop for removing threads to make it unnecessary to use your stitching needle to do so and have lovely beads on them, which make it less likely that you will lose the needle in the process of removing threads....must remember to put one of these in my bag!

(c) Florida Sunshine shawl is finished, just needs to be blocked. This is a pattern Gail aka Nightsongs from Ravelry

Considering there have been many busy work weeks, I am surprised at how productive it has been.

And some lovely sights at the cottage and at home, that make everything more enjoyable:
My favourite things: Poppies, dragonflies and the chairs at the dock.

Mom's Vest (not you Mom, another Mom)

2010-04-05T00:12:00.001-04:00

And finally some interesting photos of "Mom's Vest". It is coming along nicely. The back is nearly complete, just a few more inches to go and then on to the left and right front which will be worked simultaneously, only one cable each. And nice tidy stocking stitch that will curl a bit (on purpose) for the armholes and if all goes according to plan either rib and some stocking stitch to finish the front edge, or just stocking stitch. (Will need to see how the front looks before deciding).

This is worked in Manos del Uruguay silk merino on 4.25 mm needles, by the way.

Tiny Knitting

2010-04-03T19:54:00.000-04:00

How do you fix tiny stitches? With tiny knitting needles. I thought at first that 1.5mm needles would be small enough to pick up the stitches of a machine knit top that a Kniterary customer brought in, but they were like fence posts. What next? I had cleaned out some knitting accessories while hunting down a knitting pattern for my new great-niece (hmmm, I have hundreds of patterns but would rather reknit a pattern I have used a few times already, but I digress) and had tidied up some pins that I use for blocking. Blunt ends, nice little heart to hold stitches and voila, tiny knitting needles!

I carefully pulled out the old stitches, back beyond the damaged area and then cast off in ribbing, carefully using a .75 crochet hook to help with the job. A light blocking job, looks pretty good, and after a few more washes I am thinking things will even up nicely. I didn't get photos, but double reading glass (one in front of the other) helped things along too.

Other works in progress, "Mom's Vest" is coming along. I will post some photos tomorrow. It looks pretty plain at the moment but by tomorrow it should be a completed back.

Gardening, so to speak

2010-03-22T00:39:00.000-04:00

I was gardening today in my kitchen and ended up with some beautiful roses in a basket. Not bad for one day of gardening! I set out to stitch for just a few hours, but then wanted to finish all of the roses. Well, then I figured I may as well do the leaves as well! Next step will be to stitch the basket highlights and move on up to a rose the young lady is holding. then, more of her dress and a door and the tree over hanging her head. It is coming along nicely.

I did a bit of knitting on "Mom's Vest" although I haven't taken an pictures yet. It is from Manos wool silk.

I haven't been spinning lately, but realize my "knitting/spinning room" aka son's bedroom will soon be used for its alternate purpose and I will shuffle things around again. So, I pulled out some fleece and did a bit of spinning on Friday and Saturday. With the slower whorl and a merino/silk blend it is amazingly fine (which also, as it turns out, means that it takes a whole lot longer to spin than the rope i was previously making! simple math!)

The Finishing Class at Kniterary last Saturday and this past one was successful with four completed sweaters (two shown here, the light coloured one is the model). Yes, they do look posed pointing at something ("Hey", says Whitey, tugging at the sleeve of Bluey, "look over here to my left!"). It is because the left sleeve is a box sleeve and the right sleeve is a raglan sleeve!

And, just for good
measure, here are pictures of the cats. One to my left, the other to my right, as I sit and knit. What more could you ask for!

Hmmmm, where do the days go. Catching up

2010-03-16T22:30:00.001-04:00

Hmmmm, I wonder who one this hand. Okay, I know I shouldn't be so competitive, but it was a great hand! We played cards with friends a couple of weeks ago. It is always fun and there seems to always be one remarkable hand to laugh about.

Hedgy is finally framed and boxed. She looks wonderful and can be seen in the shop....probably Saturday. The inside is quite generous, room for pretty well anything, either stitching stuff (scissors, thread, patterns, etc.) or other items, trinkets, etc.

Hand warmers to go with the Pebbles Scarf are finished. I have a ball remaining and will be lengthening the scarf with it. It will be very squishy. I am thinking it is time for a new winter coat, so next winter I'll see if I can get a coat to match the scarf and hand warmers. Hmmm. should I add bottoms (with buttons? perhaps) and a hat. Hhhhmmmmm. Let's think about that.

I have been working on a vest design for "Mom's vest" - not my mom, but one of our Kniterary customer's Mom's vests. And more on the Lady of the Roses stitching, but that has slowed down since the Olympics are over.

Lady of the Roses is coming along and a war with the G Key and Memory

2010-02-28T22:40:00.000-05:00

Hedgy fit in one of the boxes. The box is now being stained and I need to properly pad Hedgy and sew her onto the (hmm, what do you call that, the back thingy).

You will be able to see her in the shop soon.

Next weekend perhaps.

The roses and the greenery in the lower part of the lady are complete. I have moved up the skirt to the accents of the skirt and dress. The roses in the upper part are done in floss rather than wool. The lower roses were challenging, but now that they are finished and I am distancing myself from them they are looking okay.

Moving up the skirt it is hard to find where the directions are indicating to stitch (and it helps to avoid rework if I use the right colour the first time!) but I'm getting on. Didn't finish over the Olympics, but made a considerable dent. Not sure how much couch time I will get in the coming days... less than the past two weeks, to be sure!

I have had a computer malfunction. Since about November I was missing a key. Amazingly you can type without the key. Well, it finally donned on me that eBay would have spare keys. Got one, installed it Tuesday night. All was well. Either time was up on the computer or a small drop to the floor resulted in a very bizarre flickering freezing computer. If I am really gentle with it, coax it and no jiggling I can get the computer working. That means lap computing in front of the TV is out. Hrmph! I ripped it apart, dealt with a stripped screw, jiggled, wiggled, changed memory, etc. etc. It has been running all day, treated with kid gloves, and backed up the important files (I hope), so it is time to get another computer. Question - do i get a refurbed again and be thankful for 2-3 years for under $500, or do I get a cheapish new one and have it last, what 4-5 years, or do I go all the way with a more expensive new one and hope to get 8-10 years. Hrmph. Need to decide quickly...business is depending on it.

After running out of back"issues" of some of my favourite podcasts I am now into books. I am listening to Jane Eyre, one of my favourites, from Librivox via iTunes. Driving a 1 1/2 hours to work each way, more in snow I am already at chapter 20 of 35. I am enjoying it, getting used to different voices for each chapter, and if this keeps up I may just sign up for Audible.

And finally, how about those Olympics. From a self-confessed addict, it was a great time! Nailbiting, unpredictable, enjoyable.

Olympic Stitching and Sunday Morning bliss

2010-02-17T23:22:00.000-05:00

This week has seen me prepare stitching project for one of Hedgehog Stitchery customers and get started stitching it (photos to follow next week). Instead of knitting for Ravelympics or Knitting Olympics I will be stitching. I hope to get finished or make a significant dent in the project. So far the lace on the skirt is stitched, the leaves on the lower third are stitched and the bottom rose was done during halfpipe snow boarding (It was spectacular and you just have to cheer for Shaun White).

Yes, I am an Olympic junkie and will be spending plenty of time on the couch watching.

I thought I would share Sunday morning Valentine's . Pretty blissful. Chocolates, Sudoku and Stitching (both cross stitching designs to plan and the stitching I just prepared. That is one fine Sunday morning.

Before the above Sunday morning stitching I finished the front stitching on a Victoria Sampler winter biscornu design (all except the hardanger). Call me a chicken, but cutting stitching threads is quite similar to steaking in knitting. Unbelievable to purposely cut threads, but the results are amazing. And, I imagine, it gets easier each time. I think I will practice on a trial piece first. This is a design I am working to get a jump on next year's ornament exchanges. I started the back as well and will revisit when the lady above is stitched. I am thinking of doing bullion poinsettias on the corners of the back. Perhaps more hardanger, perhaps not. And to finish it off beads (front and back and along the edge and a nice button for the middle. I'll show you more when it is finished.

Slouchy handwarmers to go with the Pebble entrelace scarf in Mille Colori. Started during the Handwarmers on Magic loop class . (Don't be fooled by the photograph, the colours really are the same as the scarf colours.)

And finally, a swatch (yes, a swatch, I know, shocking, not something you see often) for a cable rib pattern on a Kniterary customer Vest. More of that, in parallel with Lady stitching.

Hedgie is Finished

2010-02-06T23:25:00.000-05:00

It isn't the only thing I have been working on but it is the most important thing, and the only thing I have taken pictures of.
Sans grass and backstitching, and then finished!

I will try her out in the new oak boxes that my husband made for the shop (and I failed to photograph). There may be a bit small, and it that is the case he will do a custom box for me.

What else have I been working on that I don't have photos of?

The ruffles shawl is finished. I'll take a photo tomorrow.

I stitched a "V" for the window at Kniterary and Hedgehog Stitchery to go in the "Love Letters" sign. Will get a photo next week.

I have the yarn to redo the felted bag. Am thinking this could be my Olympic project. Need to wind the yarn tomorrow and get the needles, pen, paper and camera ready.

Spinning, boxes, quilts and candles

2010-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Spun 100gm of plain white merino. I toyed with the idea of dying it (either Kool-Aid or food colouring) and chickened out. I am having such a good time spinning yarn instead of rope that I didn't want to court disaster. Maybe I'll buy some fibre just for dying! I'll let it rest for the week and then ply it. If all goes well I will do a fairisle pattern with it and the superwash merino I spun a few weeks ago.

Here is the prototype for a wooden box that can hold a stitched item in the top. Looking good!

I go to the Needlework Festival twice a year with my Mom and sister. Occasionally my daughter or niece join us. Invariably my sister is looking through fabric for another quilt idea. And I get caught up in the excitement. But I am not a sewer, don't have a sewing room and unlike knitting or stitching that I can pick up and put down many times before finishing, when it comes to sewing I want to start and finish in the same day. So, after having fabric sitting around for a few years, a dear friend measured, planned, cut and sewed a frayed flannel quilt for me. It is GORGEOUS, she did a great job. I just need to clip and wash it. But that isn't stopping me from putting it on the spare bedroom bed!

During Sunday dinner, we noticed that one of the candles was becoming quite grotesque, while the other (you can see it in the background) was burning quite normally. It made for great conversation and prolonged the dinner hour (a bonus, when most days dinner is wolfed down and everyone is on to other things). As I commented to my son, sometimes a failure is a lot more interesting than a success! Wouldn't you agree!

Making progress - stitching, spinning, knitting stash

2010-01-17T20:50:00.000-05:00

It has been a somewhat productive week, making progress on some things that were set aside for a while.

First and foremost, this is what Hedgy looked like on Saturday morning,

....

and this is what she looked like at the end of the day.

She is coming along nicely I have asked my husband to make a box that I can put her on the lid of. Framing and cushions, the most common finishes, didn't seem right. A box seems perfect. I just have to give him the dimensions now.

Then, I will get back to the "brown beast", and I am looking forward to it. I have a renewed energy and enthusiasm for it, and feel like I a back in the rhythm of stitching.

Here are the results of plying my merino. Along side some wool my sister gave me in a batt a few years ago. I spun it last year, so this is the results of washing it. And, finally, alpaca that I was disrespectful of last year, but with the new whorls, it improved substantially. Spun last year, but washed this week.

Cleo couldn't get enough of it!

And, last but not least, the ruffle edge wrap from Vogue Winter 2006/2007). A customer came in with this wrap on in December and I loved the look. I had some yarn in my stash that I thought would work. On the way to that I found a different yarn and thought it was even better.

Cows and Bats

2010-01-10T15:47:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it is really Cowls and Batts.
The Leaf Cowl is knit, now I need to block it and Martina had a great suggestion of beens on the points of the leaves, so will take care of that shortly, work ends in and then block.

I am happy with it, but not super thrilled, but maybe beads and blocking will take care of that.

It was a good use of the handspun rope (knit on 12mm needles). Started on Boxing day as a mobius shawl on much too small needles, morphed to a mobius on larger needles, morphed to a cowl and leaf shawl with a winding vine that was not working, and finally became a cowl with a simple, shrinking leaf. Will be up on Ravelry when it is finished.

The first ply of The Sheep and Spindle (aka The Spindle Loft) Superwash Merino is finished. I am so happy (so far) with it. My husband made me two new whorls and bobbins for my spinning wheel to take it down from a ratio of 1:10 or 1:20 (he measured and did a calculation) to 1:5 ish (okay, so i wasn't paying attention to the detail). What a difference. I am not spinning rope anymore. I have time to draft (before I had to completely prepare the fibre to the thickness I wanted because the spin was so fast it just sucked it in). Will let it rest for the week (have been listening the Stitch It Podcast and Meghan mentioned this), so will give it a whirl. Meghan also had a great tip for the bobbin challenged (I have one of three sizes, no lazy Kate, etc. Which was the conversation that ended up in the measurements and the whorls and bobbins of different sizes). She uses her ball winder with a toilet paper cardboard (which I have dozens. Don't ask, just know that we have a large basket in the kids bathroom and I opened it up one day to realize it was FULL, and they had not reached the recycle bin) and winds the singles onto the cardboard. Then, takes the carboard out and uses the centre and outside pull at the same time to make a two ply out of one ball. I have knit out of the outside and inside to maximize a ball of yarn. So, I will see how plying goes. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year - and new strategies for blogging

2010-01-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

I am trying out a new strategy this year...take photos generously and upload them immediately to flickr, then blog once a week. The photos are in easy reach and should make blogging faster and easier.

Legoman was a hit with my daughter (we even got a few smiles!) and every Lego lover in the family. A brilliant design from Amber Allison

I finished a few items for ornament exchanges, here are a few of them.

And I finally did some spinning, and what a difference a larger whorl has made. I actually feel like I am making yarn and not rope.

And a photo just for fun....bread anyone? Cleo curled up on the lace table cloth in the breadbasket and fell asleep during Christmas dinner.

A bit of This and a bit of That

2009-11-18T23:09:00.000-05:00

A bit of knitting, some stitching and a hardanger class

Here is the promised photo of Madison in full dress...Royal Blue Menzies. We were entertained by a fling with the available music. Madison got a workout by dancing to a very fast "The Holly and the Ivy".

Hmmm, does that shoe look a little small. Apparently the shoes are designed to be smallish, so the foot curves nicely for the dance. Ouch!

The Hardanger class was held on November 7th, attended by 6 students who worked very hard.

Thanks again Jo, from X's and Oh's for coming down from Tweed to treat the class to another wonderful class.

Thanks to Jim (Martina's Jim, not my Jim) for another stitching sample in the shop. Amazing level of detail!

And, I have figured out (it wasn't that hard, just took about half an hour) how to make my designs available for sale up on Ravelry, so no more waiting for me to email and process paypal!

Entrelac Scarf in Mille Colori

2009-10-14T00:07:00.000-04:00

After the wonderful experience of the slouchy handwarmers in Mille Colori I wanted to try an entrelac Scarf. The anticipation paid off. The results are stunning! I purchased three balls, but will probably increaseit to four or five for an extra long lucious scarf. It is stunning! The pattern is written up and will be used in an entrelac class coming soon to Kniterary. Then it will be available for sale at Kniterary and on-line in Ravelry (I am going to figure out how making patterns available directly on Ravelry works). This may not be the best pattern to try it out on, since there are tons of entrelace scarf patterns, but it will be useful as an experiment.

Just look at how it shows off the colours!

I feel some entrelac handwarmers to complement the entrelac scarf coming on.

Some Stitching and catching up on some photos

2009-10-12T22:13:00.000-04:00

I recently went to a wedding shower dinner, theme personal. I thought I would try my hand at a nice little monogrammed sachet. A few letters, bullion roses and my first attempt at hem stitch. It worked out quite nicely.

And a photo of Madison's socks on Madison's feet. Next weekend I should have a photo with her whole outfit. I really hope they fit for a while, you never know for growing young ladies.

And since these photos were in the same location, I will share the entrelac market bag (from XRX) and a "teacup cozy" (still need some experimenting). Forgot to get a photo of the felted items before I gave them away. Am going to make a felted mitred bag next from the yarn that never ends. Will take photo of that.

And, in progress, and entrelac scarf for a class at Kniterary. I am soooo loving entrelac and mille colouri. It is just stunning! Photo next week.

Argyle Socks

2009-09-30T23:41:00.000-04:00

Where has Vickie been? I've been doing a bit of finishing off; a lot of working; and enough knitting and stitching to make me happy but not ecstatic. There just hasn't been enough time.

I wanted to share a project I am particularly pleased with. Madison and her parents came into Kniterary in the spring looking for modifications to Highland Dance socks. With some searching we found an online store that sells the wool and pattern; and after taking delivery of a kit my turn came to knit the socks. They have been a great challenge and a skill building exercise (I knit intarsia in the round for the first time) and they are very near completion. With a fitting on Saturday and if all looks good, finishing the toes and blocking, Madison should be dancing up a storm in her Royal Blue Menzies very shortly. I will get a photo of her all decked out and post it as well.

As a treat for me, Madison even showed me some of her dancing on one of her first visits.

Cross Stitch Stockings

2008-12-23T02:13:00.000-05:00

I didn't manage to get the stockings into the shop, but here is a photo of the stockings I made 15 years ago, when Katie was born (Don't ask me how I had the time with a newborn, all I can say is determination!). I made the stocking out of quilted fabric and made a cuto fit the design each person chose. Dave's was a mixture of designs as was Kate's. Mike's and mine were designed specifically for stockings and I believe Jim's was from designs.

.

November 8th - Hardanger Class

2008-12-11T00:11:00.000-05:00

In honour of the 1 month anniversary of the class :)

(okay, I just got around to it, connecting the cable to the camera, to the computer and making sure the battery is alive and well is lots of work!)

Thanks Joanne for a wonderful class!

Photos of a successful and happy group of hardangerers.

Models in the Shop

2008-10-18T22:58:00.000-04:00

After a long gap, I am getting back to blogging.

Marj and Wendy have generously provided models for Hedgehog Stitchery. We are showing "Take Time to stitch and Take Time to Knit" from Jeannette Douglas, and special Stitcher's Habit design, both from Marj. Since I took these photos Marj has provided some hallowe'en treat as well. I will put photos of these up next week.

Wendy has provided stitched samples of Teresa Wentzler, Butternut Road, Blackbird designs

And what is on my needles, at the Trillium Embroidery Guild Esther lead us through stitching and making name tags! And I have begun to stitch the Seasonal Birdhouses from Xs and Ohs, a design that will always be pleasant hanging anywhere. It is coming along nicely, and is one of those nice modular pieces where progress is easily tracked.

Kniterary and Hedgehog Stitchery will be at Sheridan Nursery on Sunday from 6-8 for the Ladie's Christmas night out. Thanks to Marjorie for representing Hedgehog Stitchery, as I have had to leave town on business.

Blackwork Finished, Blackwork Class

2008-09-09T23:03:00.000-04:00

I have finished the blackwork sampler.... and it is at the shop .... and I didn't take a photo (will do that on Saturday and post a photo). This technique is great for big things, small things, any colour (not just black), so for the blackwork class on December 13th, we will do an item that can be used for decoration or a gift tag. It will work up quickly and you will learn blackwork. It is so fast and fun you will likely be able to finish it in the afternoon. Photos to follow!

Blackwork Fun and Success

2008-09-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

I have finally attempted blackwork, successfully. I have had the fabric ready for a while but hadn't taken the first stitch. After stitching for just a short while, I am hooked!

With cross stitch you see exactly what you are doing and the stitches look correct right away. With blackwork, the stitches don't look right until you have finished two passes. It is a challenge to stitch the first pass and keep track of where you are. I found that if I concentrated too much on the stitches I actually had a harder time keeping on track. But, there is a rythm, so if you just go with the rythm, and not what the stitch looks like, it all falls into place. The return route is fast and easy because you see are basically following the same path, but backwards.

This is a fast stitching method, that has amazing potential. In just the few minutes after taking this photo I had the return path of the outside edge stitched (see the "dotted line" vs. the solid line on the left, it is now all a solid line).

The next step is to put some flowers in the centre and then I am looking for something that will look nice in the corners.

To finish this piece off I think I will trim and then fray the edges.

I used Carol Leather's Blackwork Instructions. It was an excellent introduction to blackwork.

X's and Oh's Models are leaving on Saturday

2008-08-19T22:40:00.000-04:00

The X's and Oh's models have been displayed proudly at Hedgehog Stitchery since before the opening in May. They have been so wonderful to have in the shop and have both brightened the shop and inspired stitchers. Drop by before they leave on Saturday morning!

The good news is that a some great local stitchers will be displaying their pieces in the shop! I will post them as they come in, and you will have some new designs to look at.

Currently we have some Jeannette Douglas designs stitched by Marjorie and a Mirabelia stitched on Sugar Maple Fabrics by Melinda. Geri and Wendy will be bringing designs in, and well, you can always check out the "Brown Beast" in progress.

Lot's of photos to come as the models arrive.

See you soon.

UFOs are making me CRAZY - or How I spent part of this week and weekend

2008-07-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

UnFinished Objects (UFOs) drive me crazy after a while, the way they hang around staring at you, creating a pile. I have been starting things to experiment, but there comes a time when you just have to finish some of them. So I tackled the Victoria Sampler needle roll for September. Now I have to wash it, block it, hem it, back it, sew it, put ribbon on it and stuff it (hmmm, am I really almost finished?)

I knit up one of the face/dish cloth for the Run for the Cure, so I'll be posting that on Ravelry with a link for anyone who wants the pattern and wants to make a donation.

My mother in law started a floral gobelin for my husband in 1978 (I still have the post marked envelope). She got a few inches done and in the late 80's she passed it along to me to complete. I completed all of the flowers in 1993/1994 (or there abouts, because I was on maternity leave and had great daylight to work from. My daughter is almost 15! now). So now, I have pulled it out and brought it to the shop to work on on Tuesday nights at "It's Stitchin' Time". It is good mindless (mindnumbing) work. Four shades of brown to complete. It has had coffee spilled on it and cat hair clings to it in places, but I am sure when it is stitched and washed and blocked all of that will be a hidden part of its history. My goal--- complete it in 2008! (The photo on the far right, and the gobelin link are actually from web sites, and the design is still available!)

So, now there is just the Hedgehog that was started in March (? or April), and the blackwork that I started experimenting with, and....

Run for the Cure

2008-07-15T08:29:00.000-04:00

I am cheating for the moment and using part of my knitting blog in my stitching blog. Will actually get to my stitching blog today as I am in the shop and will be able to take some photos and do some stitching today!

I have designed two dish/face cloths (depending on the weight of yarn you use) for the Run for the Cure. Full instructions are available at Kniterary and Hedgehog Stitchery and the proceeds will be put toward my team - One Degree of Separation.

If you aren't in the Whitby area click on the images and you should be able to print the image. We will use the honour system, please go to Run for the Cure and make a donation to Vickie Hartog in Toronto. Thanks in advance for any donations. And, please, if you do make a donation and don't mind, let me know by responding to my blog to let me know.

Victoria Sampler, Hedgehog and Blackwork

2008-06-01T22:59:00.000-04:00

I am making great progress on the September needle roll from Victoria sampler. I have been working on it on Tuesday nights at "It's Stitchin' Time" at Hedgehog Stitchery.

I also made some progress on the Hedgehog this Saturday while watching the shop.

And, I have been reading Carol Leather's blackwork instructions. Amazing! I will start working on a sampler once I finish the Needle roll.

And Mrs. Tiggy Stitch, Miss Henrietta Hedgehog and Prickles have been joined by Spike. (Thanks Leslie!). Don't mind Cleo and Guinness, it seems they can't resist a new resident

First Hedgehog Stitchery Class and Newsletter and the hedgehog formerly known as Hedgy

2008-05-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

The very first Hedgehog Stitchery class took place on Saturday. It was appropriately a beginner stitching class and we all learned something. The students learned not just about taking the first stitch, but taking the steps needed before taking the first stitch. In many cases it wasn't the first stitch for the students, but rather about alternatives for knowledge already learned. For one student, this class was the first time she had stitches, so we all celebrated her first stitches.

I am finding that I want to share so much knowledge that I am not getting to the hands on fast enough and giving students enough time to practice. Of course anyone who takes a class can come in for folllowup instruction, but my preference would be to get through the basics and try each of the skills while in class, and still provide the follow up. So, in future classes I will time things more precisely! (I promise :) )

It was a busy week after the Grand Opening The news of Hedgehog Stitchery is spreading further afield. Thanks for spreading the word. And if you would like a newsletter, just drop me a line at newsletterAThedgehogstitcheryDOTcom. A new newsletter has been posted and a product special is on the HedgehogStitchery web site. Specials will be posted there with plans for a particular product on line of products to be featured each month.

Finally, Hedgy has a new name and new friends. She is Henrietta Hedgehog and is joined by Mrs. Tiggy Stitch and Prickles. Thanks to everyone who participated in the naming it was a lot of fun, with many excellent names, that were narrowed down by an experienced panel of judges (i.e. my fabulous friends, who have successfully name a lot of children)

Celebrate - Grand Opening May 10th

2008-05-11T10:29:00.000-04:00

The Grand Opening went wonderfully!

Thanks to everyone who visited the shop. It was great to meet so many stitchers and to get to know more about what you are interested in. It was also great to meet so many people who are interested in starting to stitch. The Beginner Class next Saturday is going to be fun to teach, I am sure.

Joanne of X's and Oh's and
Carol of The Stitcher's Habit
were wonderful to talk to and provided additional advice.
We are so fortunate to have such kind experience at our fingertips.

It was a bit of a whirlwind and looking back over the photos that I took, I didn't get many photos of you, mostly because I was talking to you and getting to know you.

Thanks for the flowers and gifts, also. It was so thoughtful and brightened up the shop even more (a few photos are missing, I'll add them soon)

Geri, I have to confess, I was hoping one of your hedgehogs would find it's way into the shop, but was thinking of a loan. Thanks so much! I now have two hedgehogs to name, which makes it that much easier, because I have a problem making those final decisions, so I can now have a tie! Their names will be posted on Monday!
(This also explains my large stash!

And here is a photo of some of the knitters who came to Kniterary to celebrate their Anniversary. Now there's a happy bunch!

I have posted some photos on the Hedgehog Stitchery home page, and here is a link to a
the full set.

Grand Opening Saturday May 10th

2008-05-09T23:47:00.000-04:00

We have been busy getting ready for the grand opening tomorrow. It was taking forever to come until about two weeks ago, when it picked up speed like a runaway train.

Almost every order that I placed has arrived, and the store is packed. If I get a chance I will post pictures tomorrow morning before heading over to the shop.

So many of you have said how nice it is to have a stitching shop in town, so please do come in. And if I don't have something, just let me know, I can find it and get it for you.

Thanks Martina, for the vision of expanding what is available at 229 Brock St. North and helping me to add Hedgehog Stitchery to Kniterary.

Thanks to the many designers and distributors, especially Helen of Hearthside Craftworks, Joanne of X's and Oh's, and Carol of the Stitcher's Habit; for enthusiastically getting me off the ground. Your advice and participation has been unbelievable. Stitchers are wonderful giving people indeed.

Thanks to my family and friends for their enthusiasm, support and encouragement. Thanks,Teri, for excusing me as I duck out of baby showers to run get models; and for cheering from a distance, Wendy, the flowers are stunning, I'll post pictures as soon as I can. And, yes Dave, the new dinner hour is 7pm!

And thanks Jim, for painting, putting up peg board, running to get tables and chairs, desks, etc.; and for kissing me good night, even when it is closer to good morning.

You have all helped to make a dream come true.

Love,
Vickie

CreativFestival and Models, Lots of Models

2008-04-27T22:42:00.000-04:00

I visited the CreativFestival, as usual, with my mom, sister and friend. It has been a tradition spring and fall for years, with my daughter and my sister's daughter occasionally accompanying, but not this year, for various reasons, including school for one and living in Calgary for the other!

That is where usual ended and stitching shop proprietor started. I met up with Joanne and Bill Gatenby of X's and Oh's for the first time in person. It was wonderful to say the least. True to form, Joanne made sure that I knew of others at the show who I should meet, including Laura at Enchanting Lair, so now I have some of her designs, fabrics and models in my car, soon to be in my m carrying her designs and will have models in the store; and, Northern Pines designs where I chatted there for a while and decided to contact again after the show, to get connected to carry their designs. I was able to get some books for the store, as well, so they are in the shop already.

I also met with Melinda at Sugar Maple Fabrics who generously drove out to the show to drop off a model of a Mirabilia Mermaid on her Ocean fabric in opalescent.

On Sunday, Martina and I visited the CreativFestival again to get stocked up in designs and models from X's and Oh's and the models from Enchanting Lair, so while they broke down their stands I filled up my bags. Once the models are in the shop I will take photos and post them.

Grand Opening Advertisement and the Stands are In

2008-04-15T23:08:00.000-04:00

Here is the advertisement for the Hedgehog Stitchery Grand Opening and Kniterary's 2nd Anniversary.

The floss was all hung (on the pegboard with care) by end of day Sunday.

And the stands from Hearthside Craftworks are in and on display.

They will be available for order if you want one still in its box or if you are anxious you can take the floor model and we will order a new one for the store. We have some boxed lapstands available, good for sitting in an arm chair, so the stand on display is for display only. The quality of these oak stands is amazing. I am really going to like the table stand for use in the store because the chairs are more like a kitchen chair rather than a family room chair. The Mark 2 Stand is mouthwatering. I don't have photos here, but the line of scroll bars is beautifully made and easy to use, with large knobs.

Floss, Floss and More Floss and not a Stitch Sewn

2008-04-06T20:45:00.000-04:00

The Wichelt order arrived, and with it 454 colours of 6 skeins each. They arrived in 6 bundles of 65 or 70 skeins, and since they are not in exact sequential order deciding how to sort and hang them efficiently took more thought than I had originally anticipated. With the help of Margo, a very good friend who is very excited about Hedgehog Stitchery (see photo) and Martina (sorry, no photo) more than half of the floss is hung.

Some beautiful fabric, a great assortment of charts and Mill Hill and other kits were all in the order and are being unpacked and priced. We are truly in business!

A little boy, I believe his name was Andrew and he is eight years old, visited the shop yesterday. He was a charming lad who helped to put some of the items in their places. The best moment came when he sang me a song from his school. It was a song about bullying, which my kids are too old to bring home these days, so it was interesting to hear. The best part was how melodic his voice was. I hope he visits again.

More stock has arrived!

2008-04-01T22:57:00.000-04:00

Martina emailed to say that many boxes had arrived today. So, I just had to stop on my way home. The Wichelt order has arrived, as had The Stitcher's Habit, Wild Threads, Heaven and Earth Designs and the Stitching Studio. WOW! Five in one day. I didn't have time to put everything out, but I did check through the packages and am very pleased with the variety and the quality. I will be in the shop on Saturday stocking and would love it if you dropped in the see how we are coming along.

I have placed an order for hand dyed fabric with Sugar Maple Fabrics. I am really looking forward to seeing the fabrics. They will be in before the Grand Opening, which will be fantastic. With any luck I will start to stitch a design with one of them. It is so difficult to decide which to stock, but I will carry photos of all of them, so you can either purchase what is in the shop or order and if you like what you see you can purchase it.

Don't forget to go to rename Hedgy

More photos to come this weekend.
See you soon,

Unpacking and Pricing ... and Paperwork

2008-03-22T22:20:00.000-04:00

It was a busy day at Hedgehog Stitchery today and since it was my first time unpacking and reconciling stock with order with invoice I took a while at it.

PLUS...it was pretty fun and I was savouring the time. I unpacked the fabric, accessories, hoops and organizers from Kelsea (good stuff, but not exactly exciting).

Next the envelopes a catalog from Carol of X-Calibre Designs in England can't quite wrap my head around it, and I am in the IT business, that it is so fast to meet new people, across the ocean, they then send you something through the mail that arrives just days later. (it is amazing, Carol has some great beginner stitching information, but even more fascinating Blackwork designs. I haven't done blackwork, but it is definitely in my list of growing new skills to learn.

On to the X's and Oh's charts which are now on display and ready for purchase at Hedgehog Stitchery. I am ecstatic that Joanne Gatenby of X's a nd Oh's will be a visiting designer for the Grand Opening on May 10th.

You know how there are vegetables, perhaps turnip, that come with that great meal. Not your favourite, but they have to be dealt with. Well, a letter from the Ministry of Finance came next. I couldn't avoid it any longer. Well, wasn't it the business license, so not bad. BUT... and this is unbelievable because there wasn't much paperwork, but two pieces had typos. The mistake this time was my last name. I was staring down at Vickie Hathog. I have been given a number of nicknames over the years, but I have never been, nor ever anticipated being called a hat hog! I guess I will be making a phone call on Monday.

We have a number of older books and magazines that are available in the store for reference or loan. So, I labeled a few more of those today.

Then, Scarlet Quince, with their oh so detailed designs. I just finished reading Girl with a Pearl Earring, so couldn't resist stocking that design. The designs come in two sizes of print, so if you need just a bit more help seeing they give the assistance we have all come to need after forty!

Finally, the package I had left for dessert....the Victoria Sampler. I was looking forward to the designs but also the accessory packs. They are gorgeous!

I did take a break during the day to take some photos, so here they are now, outside and in.

Kniterary, soon to be Kniterary and Hedgehog Stitchery

A Cross Stitch chart I found on line, by Kathleen Nelson, that I will stitch and hang in the shop. The fabric is ready and waiting on a lap stand from Hearthside Craftworks (a gift from my sister a few years ago).Hedgy is there to welcome anyone coming to the shop. Come on in and say hi to her (and give her a better name, if you will). If you email a suggested name to newsletter@hedgehogstitchery.com your name will be entered into a Grand Opening draw. I'll pick a name from those entered, not necessarily the name selected in the draw.

The fabric cutting table before the fabric was unwrapped. Now there is Aida, Laguna and Hardanger on the lower level. White and Antique White, but I can order for you . I will have a binder of more fabric than I ever thought possible!

Shelves with the beginnings of the charts and kits

Signs are on order to add Hedgehog Stitchery to Kniterary thanks to Martina at Kniterary, who will also be taking care of the day to day sales for Hedgehog Stitchery. I will be in the shop on Saturdays and for "It's Stitchin' Time" on Tuesday evenings (but if that is the Embroidery Guild night I will switch it). Together we can work out the classes, etc.

Stock is arriving. We're ready for you

2008-03-20T22:35:00.001-04:00

Stock has begun to arrive. I have the Victoria Sampler order, X's and O's, Scarlet Quince and miscellaneous accessories, fabrics and organizers. I have also made contact with the Stitcher's Studio and The Stitcher's Habit to bring their products into the store.

I plan to carry a good cross section of styles and skill levels.

Please, if there is something you would like to see, let me know and I will work at bringing it into the shop for you to view.

Whether you are adding to a stash (pattern, fabric, floss, etc) or want all of the pieces pulled together for you for a complete project, you have come to the right place. Let us do the work of getting the pieces ready to go.

Many of you have a lot to teach me about stitching, I am sure, so please bring your ideas and skills to the shop.

I will be updating the website with more specifics about the products, as well as classes and stitch together and upcoming events. Watch for the changes in the coming days and weeks.

Thanks for your interest,
Vickie

The Hedgehog is getting closer

2008-03-17T00:55:00.001-04:00

I have been up late ordering and ordering. It has been a greater challenge than I thought, trying to anticipate what people will want in the way of stitching. I think I have a good cross section of designs and styles. I have made so many new acquaintances.

We will have beautiful stitching stands from Hearthside Craftworks, designs from Xs and Os, Victoria Sampler, Jeannette Douglas, Scissors from Dinky Dyes (along with designs and silk floss from their designers); Scarlet Quince designs, Heaven and Earth designs, a great cross section of fabulous fabrics (linens, aida, wool, etc) , Mill Hill kits and designs, to mention a few. If we don't have something you are looking for just let us know and we will look for it for you. And, if you want all of the parts put together in a kit, so you don't have to search around for anything, just let us know and we will pull it all together and all you have to do is stitch.

I will take pictures and post them here in the days to come.

What am I knitting these days? A pair of socks, started after the magic loop class I caught the sock fever. And, working on the edge, with beads, of the Print o the Wave.

What am I stitching these days? A hedgehog for the store

Start spreadin' the news

2008-03-03T21:27:00.000-05:00

Yay! Time to start talking about the Hedgehog.

We have been alluding to something special at Kniterary and now we are talking about it openly. Hedgehog Stitchery will be joining Kniterary soon at 229 Brock St. N. in Whitby, on the second floor. This will expand the stitching selection available to include stitching supplies and instruction for cross stitch, needlepoint, hardanger, etc. We will carry design that you may only see at needlework shows or may not have seen before.

Your suggestions and requests are welcome.

At the Hedge

2008-02-01T19:03:00.001-05:00

The website is coming along and plans are underway. More details to be revealed soon.