Mon étui in progress

Oh, lovely autumn, so inspiring and beautiful! 

And I am so in love with the Haori fabric! It was exactly what I was looking for my special "Mon étui" project. Muted, earthy colours, very course weave, that gives a characteristic texture to the fabric. Differently coloured fibres, interestingly weaved into the solid colour make the thread choices a challenge that results in a telling-a-story kind of projects - just the ones I love.  ♥ 

Finally, I narrowed down my choices to these colours: 

I made the pattern for my étui out of my daughter's draft paper - the tests she was practicing on for her Royal Conservatory Music theory exam. I have a whole bunch of sheets with notes here, lots of projects to accommodate on them :)

And then, here came the challenge, I was up against, of making the little embroidery scissors' pattern... It wasn't only the drawing part, it was the size, and copying the pattern to the fabric... I still do not have the kind of paper that could save time and effort. I still have no idea what to use for copying, so, in case you have a clue what could help me through this journey, I would appreciate a hint or two on the topic. And my research will continue (when I find time for it), so if I find out first, I will definitely post here.

Every element I used on the needle case was first drawn on paper, cut out and copied to the fabric. For the scissors, I needed to cut out the contour lines first and then the inner contour of the handles, to make sure that I have that right. Uh, it was a very exciting job, I have to admit. Seeing how this pair of scissors appear on the fabric and imagining it in total completion, or, I couldn't wait to start the embroidery part. If you decide to make this project, I will post the pattern and instructions, once I finish it.

Embroidery stitches used here:

1. Backstitch - for the contour lines
2. French knot
3. Cross stitch
4. Running stitch

What is a needle case without a needle catcher? I decided a spool of thread that holds the main embroidery needle would be a perfect pattern on my home-for-the-needles placement.

I couldn't resist accenting the spool with the matching blue thread. Again, the fabric itself was screaming for that. 

Embroidery stitches used:

1. Backstitch

2. Cross stitch

3. French knot

My last embroidery project on the needle case is the thimble. I love thimbles. I have to admit, I really use any, and even if I use, I start stitching without, and after my fingers start hurting, I put on a thimble. The freedom I have working with less equipment is a joy but I pay a small price for that.

Embroidery stitches used:

1. Backstitch

2. French knot

These will come together in a complete 'Mon étui' needle case and I will post it soon. Every spare minute I have, I invest in it. Unfortunately, life is so busy these days... I am trying to figure out how our ancestors were able to work on so many amazing projects: making everything with their hands, raise 5-6  kids, producing their own food and still have time to stitch. How is our life better today?

I am really enjoying working on this! What is in your hands today?

Thank you for reading! 

♥ IN

Poncho

It is fascinating how beautiful this autumn is. All the colours are in the air. And when the sun beams kiss the tree crowns, it explodes fire and all this beautiful reflection in the puddles start dancing in a wonderful, primitive and inspiring dance.

This is one of these moments that I want to seal in my memory forever - can not take any more beauty. 

Until the autumn is still warm and happy, before the angry winds' dance, the best cover to wear is a warm wool, knitted poncho. The one I made for my girl is very easy to knit. I did not need it textured, so the variegated yarn could stand out. 

The original shape of the poncho is different, but I made it intentionally longer on the arms. Ana has always wanted to fly. She had made a pair of wings out of cardboard, when she was 5. I still keep them in my treasure chest. These are her wings in a cosy wrapping clothing.

Here is how to knit it:

materials needed:

350 (400) g variegated yarn - 100% wool, or 50% wool and 50% acrylic
50 g solid colour yarn - 100% wool, or 50% wool and 50% acrylic
knitting needles size 4 mm (4.5 mm), I used 80 cm circular 4 mm needles

The 10cm x 10cm knitted sample of the yarn produces 22 knits and 30 rows. Make sure that you are aware of your yarn sample and adjust to the pattern above in centimetres.

Since the pattern is not for a fitted clothing, it could fit size 6-8 (in brackets) and 8-10.

How to:

1. Knit two separate pieces for the front and back.
2. Sew them together.
3. Cross-stitch over the side seam.
4. Crochet the wholes for the pom-pom rope around the neck.
5. Make the pom-pom rope.
6. Make the fringe as desired.

The poncho gives your kid freedom to move and at the same time feel like a bird. It is a weekend project and a couple of movies, watched in a rainy day.

Enjoy making it!

Thanks for visiting! 🍂 🌾🍁
IN