As I mentioned in my first post of the year, I have joined up with a stitch along hosted by Avis of Sewing Beside the Sea, that focuses on finishing WIPs. And I have a few of them!
First up on the ‘hit list’, is this poor baby blanket. Last time (way back in February of last year!!!) this is where I was up to with the huge number of French knots required to finish off the sheep!
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a lot of progress. (Hopefully that will have changed next time!).
I’ve run into a problem in that I’m really struggling to source more of this particular thread. It is a Gloriana Thread – Lorikeet stranded wool. It is absolutely beautiful wool, it is so soft! The only place I can find it online is in the States, and it would have to be a special order, so the cost is rather large. I have some Gumnut Yarn thread which is a similar ‘softness’, so my first step will be to try and fill in the gaps with that. The time I used Renaissance Threads I quite liked them too, so if they are easier to source, they might be the ones I go with. If anyone knows of someone who might source the Gloriana Lorikeet thread in the UK please let me know!
The other thing I have noticed with this piece is the difference time makes to my stitching. There is a rather distinct ‘line’ that has appeared between my previous French knots and the ones I have just worked. I have obviously been doing a lot more stitching, so on the whole, my stitching is a lot neater. I just wish it wasn’t so obvious! I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do, or even can do, about this, but it is certainly something to be aware of for any other projects that are lurking around!
This is unfortunately not a very exciting project to write on, so it is perfect for this SAL – see you in three weeks with hopefully some progress!
Please also take a look to see what everyone else is working on. This is a very talented group producing beautiful work!
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Susan, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Wendy
Wow, a million French knots. You have extreme patience!
I’m not sure about patience! I think the number of French Knots is why this is taking so long!
I bet it feels lovely, though. One thought about the ‘before and after’ knots – could you try scattering stitches around a bit rather than working progressively, and consciously change the tension slightly to give a slightly more random effect?
That’s a great idea! I’ll definitely try that out. Thanks!
Hope it works for you!
Good luck with all those French knots
Thanks. I just get a little bored doing the same thing over and over! It’s a good thing I have other projects to work on at the same time!
That is some good progress! It looks to me that your recent french knots are tighter than the old ones. Could you use a larger needle?
Yes, they are definitely tighter. Unfortunately I’m already using a ‘crowbar’ of a needle, and it’s the largest one I have!
I’m feeling faint at the thought of all those French knots lol.
Yes, it’s definitely not a project I can work on without mixing it up with something else!
I’ve done a quick search for the Gloriana Lorikeet threads and found Sew and So stock the brand Gloriana, http://www.sewandso.co.uk/keyword/Gloriana%20Silk%20Floss
I could only find the silk floss but you could always try giving them a call to see if they could get the stranded wool they have a free phone number 0800 013 0150.
There is also LeighBoStitches on Etsy but she is in America, I don’t know if her prices and shipping are any better than the ones you have already found. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/97109526/lot-2-skeins-gloriana-lorikeet-wool-new?ref=marke
Good luck.
Thanks Ann. It does seem to be that this particular variety of their thread is the difficulty as a few places stock others form the, which is a little odd. Maybe it’s that Australian wool!
Welcome to the sal. And wow. I didn’t even bother with the four French knots on one of my projects, you are obviously a master haha.
I might not be a master yet, but by the end I probably will be!
If I do one French knot I make a mess. Seeing all these little beauties together has me in awe!
I think French Knots are a bit of a love hate relationship for people! Despite finding the monotony of them on this scale a little daunting, it is quite therapeutic I find. Strange but true!
I think the five foot rule applies to French knots…step away from the blanket….is it still that obvious? ? the patience this must take is beyond me I think!!
I do like that rule! It certainly helps with a lot of what I do I can tell you! That and taking off my glasses ?
Welcome Catherine. Glad you have joined us. I applaud you with the french knots. I don’t like doing them and am in awe of someone who would do so many at one time. This is going to look gorgeous.
Thanks Cindy! There are times I question my sanity doing this many French Knots!
Maybe put a few new French knots in among the already-stitched bit to stretch out the join a bit more? And in future, don’t pack them quite so tightly as you get to the end of the thread, then you can work the new stitches in among the old.
Yes, I think I have been a little over zealous with packing them in
Oops, hit enter too quickly! I’m going to try and go back and fill in with some new knots in the previous section. If I change the thread I’m going to have to do the same thing!
You weren’t expecting not to touch it for a year! It’s only when you’ve had that experience a few times that you start thinking of ways to blend one period of work into another!
True! I’m going to go with I’m not the first to encounter this and the problem solving will be good for me!
Wow that is a lot of fresh knots. ?Great job!
Thanks. So many of them….
French knots lol
Welcome to the SAL! I´m Gun from Sweden and my English isn´t the best 🙂 I like sewing french knots, but not so many! You are really brave to start such a project and btw it looks great!
Thanks for the welcome and your English is fine! Thanks for the encouragement. There are definitely a LOT of French Knots!
Oh my goodness, I love this! Is this your own design? You can’t tell the difference in knots from previous stitching, especially when you’re looking at the whole picture. Once you fill in where there is room for yet another French Knot, it will end up filling in nicely. How long has this one sheep taken so far?
Thanks Christina ? it’s an adaption from a design in Inspirations a while ago. It actually hasn’t taken more than about 5 hours. But I get bored of just French Knots and keep moving onto something else!
Oh ok, not too bad!
No, I just need to sit and do it!
What an undertaking! I don’t mind french knots like some do but even so, that’s a lot! It will be fun to see how much further along you are in three weeks. Good luck!
Yes, I really underestimated the undertaking this was! Hopefully we will be a lot further along in three weeks!
Good luck with the french knots – I know how stitching so many feels. I’m taking a break from mine!!
It is somewhat monotonous isn’t it?!
Wonderful idea to turn a blanket into a coat! Love it!
Beautiful blankets too!
Hi. It is still a blanket rather than a coat, just a decorated one! Thanks for stopping by.