Mid-ish March Musing

 After going out and about the previous week, Monday last week I went to the monthly meeting of West Country Embroiderers where the tutor, local embroiderer Angela Tigwell, did a workshop called Strips and Stripes. Using sari strips, which is a waste product of making silk saris the end product is to make a small drawstring bag with the strips and adding embroidery stitches.   Here is a picture of a couple of her samples

The one above was set in a frame, below is a blue bag and a tissue case.

It was a lovely time of slow stitching and chatting. Also learned about preparing the skein of strips (I bought mine last year from The Silk Route at one of the exhibitions. They are best taken apart (I cut the little knots joining the strips) washed and ironed while still slightly damp.  I did this the next day and they felt a lot better to handle. Anyway back to the class, and the strips started to come together on my background fabric. Here’s a picture of our collective pieces.  Mine is the third from bottom on the left.

I got back to working on this on Saturday morning and deciding that I would use my piece as a cover for my stitch book.  I’m nearing the end of that project (there will be a separate post later, probably next month). I did some machine stitching and added some sequins for a bit more bling before cutting to size. I have some ribbon yarn with metallic thread through with which I edged the top and bottom of my piece and have now got to the point of sewing the sides to the front and back of my book.

The result of washing and ironing the strips, here’s one I’ve done that too and the lovely colours really show well, so it was worth the effort. Look at the lovely red and green in the weave.

I’ve also finished the cat, but it’s wrapped up!  So no picture to show here so I’m hoping that my son will take a photo next week in time for the monthly Furtle.  I’m pleased to have that project finished and continue with knitting my cardigan.  On the second sleeve so not long to go now….

Also finished another dishcloth/washcloth.  This is called Biscotti, pattern from The Kitchen Sink Shop, whose newsletter I receive at the beginning of each month, along with a recipe to go with it.

A lovely twisted knit stitch to produce this cable, knitted in Paintbox yarn in a pale blue colour. It’s a nice yarn to work with and I may get some more in different colours.

And yesterday evening I went to my friend’s house to join others for Hotchpotch crafts and this time it was making Easter Baskets. Sorry a bit of a dull picture. I shall take better one to show at the end of the month.

I also made a purchase this month with a couple of books

The Crochet Garden by Chris Norrington, whose Instagram I’ve followed for a while now. Just gorgeous pictures, and a knitting book I’ve wanted for a while too on Gansey Knitting, which will be a good resource book too. Lots to delve into.

I’m looking forward to the clocks going forward and entering British Summer Time.