Hello friends, how have you been? I hope all is well with you and you are keeping your spirits up during these uncertain times.
Here in Wales we are still finding ourselves in total lockdown, but there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccinations are going well and there is talk about some restrictions being lifted towards the end of this month. Spring is in the air and today we are celebrating St. David’s Day. Vases filled with our national flower the Daffodil putting a smile on our faces and tonight we are eating Leek Soup and Bara Brith.
We are 8 weeks into our stitch directory and I hope you are having fun trying a new stitch more or less every week. I have been asked about the yarns I use for my samples and thought I take this opportunity for some general notes.
For my samples I am using either 4ply or DK yarns. They are all odd balls or left-over bits and bobs from projects. If you are planning to make your samples into a blanket or throw, you might want to stick to just one thickness of yarn. Scheepjes Stone Washed or Stone Washed XL is a yarn I particularly like for blankets, a mixture of 78% cotton and 22% acrylic, it is soft, easy to work with, can be washed and comes in a multitude of colours.
For my samples I cast on between 30 – 36 stitches, depending on the multiple number of the stitch, this makes my sample about 14cm wide. I also work 2-3 rows of garter stitch at the beginning and the end as this gives the sample a nice finish and makes it easier to sew up later on. It also stops the edges from curling too much.
As I haven’t decided what I am going to do with my samples, I am currently just collecting them in a box. If you are planning a blanket or throw you might want to sew them into strips as you go using mattress stitch for a lovely neat seam.
Please drop me a line if you have any questions and keep on sharing your samples with me by using #freestitchdirectory on social media so that I can find them.
Many more exciting stitches to come, with the next one due this Friday, 5th of March.
Stay safe! xo
