Embroidery in Helsinki

What's better than music I love? That's easy. Music I love + craft I love.

Architecture in Helsinki - Like It Or Not from helsinkids on Vimeo.

Embroidery & Tutorals

Elah had a great first day of school today. It was so nice to go back to this warm, welcoming cmmunity of parents and teachers. Yes, it's expensive and yes, being a parent/teacher cooperative means a lot of additional work on my part. But Elah thrives there and I know it's the right place for her. This may be the last year we can send her there but I feel very grateful that she was able to have 3 years; it's a good start.

On a crafty note, her shirt was a hit! I'm still working on embroidery practice projects...observe:


I've received a couple of emails from people looking for some online embroidery resources so here you go.
Needle 'N Thread has online videos! (think knittinghelp.com)
Crafty Daisies is holding a free online embroidery class.
Needle Crafter has a ton of free vintage patterns.

Have fun and if you have any questions shoot me an email or leave a comment.

PS In knitting news I've finished designing my first pair of socks. The pattern should be forthcoming.

I'm a bad blogger.

First the good news: I'm all better! That's really it, there's no bad news.
It's been a long time since I last posted and even longer since I replied to anyone's comments. I do still have all of your emails and I will reply soon.

I didn't really knit all that much while I was sick but I have been trying to work on a sock pattern for the Summer of Socks. Here's my test sock. I didn't end up going with any of these patterns.

Click the pick to go to flickr and see all the patterns.
I really like the top pattern but I think it's too much like the snicket socks to be original.
I did eventually settle on a pattern and am in the process of test knitting and charting now.

I also received my package from my last.fm/ravelry swap partner.

The package is awesome! It contained a CD, a card, some beads (not pictured) and a beautiful skein of Cider Moon yarn in Hocus Crocus. I've been wanting to try Cider Moon and I adore the colors.

Here's the playlist from the CD.

This is the second time I've done a simple package and one skein swap ad I love it!

Also in pre-sickness knitting I made a pair of Saartje's Bootees for a woman at work who's expecting.

The yarn is left over from the Bloody Mary socks I knit for my Sock It To Me pal.

What else?

Oh, I've picked up my hoop again for the frist time in about 15 years.

My first practice project.


A shirt I made for Elah's first day of school. She'll be in 2nd grade this year (!) which at her school makes her a Tau. It's a big deal, for the first 2 years she was in the same classroom so this is her first big change in awhile. She loves the shirt and when I gave it to her she gave me a huge hug and told me that she thought she'd cry. Only I could have a child who gets verklempt.

*whew* OK, that's it for now. Sorry it took so long Stoneking and Jess.