Baby Blanket 1

 Before Christmas, the Guild put out a request for some knitted baby cardigans for the Guild shop, preferably in white. Over the Christmas break I used some of the white cotton I had been using for the Shetland Wool Week hats to knit a baby cardigan, using a pattern I had from Bendigo Woollen Mills. The pattern had 7 sizes, so I picked the middle one. It turned out to be what consensus at the Guild said was for a two-year-old!

I didn't have enough white yarn for another, but made a couple in the smallest size in cream and ecru. 

It turns out that what the Guild shop is doing, is putting together Baby Welcome packs.They have a couple of knitted blankets which they are pairing with some basic clothes.  

Once I understood the goal, I got more targeted. I'm currently working on an aqua cardigan to accompany a green-blue knitted blanket they have in stock

I also dug out the squares I was crocheting towards the end of 2020- with a view to using up the same 4 ply cotton.  I had 53 completed squares - and another 45 of the centre circles. I had planned to keep going with the squares until I had used up all the yarn, but now decided to create a baby blanket  for the Guild  with what I had.

I tried joining the squares using some of the cream cotton (left). It looked, I thought, OK.  

However, I also found some rolls of white/blue/pink variegated knitting cotton which had, I think, belonged to my mother. 

That, I thought, looked really good. So this week I have been busy crocheting around the squares, and creating a baby blanket from 56 squares, laying it out on the floor as I went to get the best combination I can.  

I didn't undo the ones with ecru borders. I will make a second blanket using the centres I have left.  The variegated pastel works really well, but so will other things.                                 

It took quite a bit of time to do the individual, then the total border - most of the Adelaide Cup weekend. The result pleases me.

I worked a border around the whole thing in the variegated cotton. It is about 110cmx91cm.

I decided against stretching it much  by blocking, given it will need to be washed many times in its life and no mother has time for blocking. Instead, I washed it and spread it to dry flat on my table.

After 24 hours I moved it to a drying rack to get airflow underneath. 

I have a cone of 3 ply wool/acrylic mixture which I'm hoping might knit into a cardigan to go with this blanket, and an idea about a bag to contain them. 

Hopefully I will report on progress soon!

Croatian costume embroidery

The June workshop for the Embroiderers’ Guild Certificate Course was taken by Dragica Sosa on Croatian Traditional Costume Embroidery. It was really interesting and a lot of fun. 

Dragica had brought along a number of costume pieces from the collection of the Lenek Folkloric Dance Ensemble, which we were able to examine in detail. Regretfully, I didn’t take photos. They were truly beautiful and a treat to see.

Dragica also talked about her own experience of learning and practising Croatian dance and of the differences between costumes in the four geographic areas of Croatia.

Much of the traditional Croatian embroidery is pattern darning and Dragica had charted a series of traditional designs for us to try. I used a 28 count linen. 30-32 is more commonly used but even with 28 I need magnification!

I worked my way through the designs. It took me several days to work them and there are a few errors in there. It was compelling - so satisfying seeing the patterns emerge. I found it easier to hold the linen in my hand and maintain tension by grip than keep moving a hoop. I find pattern darning is also better scooped than stabbed.

By the end the piece was quite raggy so blocking was required .

I decided to turn it into a pouch. I had thought to line it with silk but the red I had was too dark. I played around with two pieces of cotton. I went with the plain red, purchased a red zip and had it done in no time. I went with the red fabric on the back as well. Plain white 28 count linen didn’t feel right. I would always think I should have embroidered the back as well!





I am delighted with my finished piece. I could see myself using these patterns on the yoke of a dress. 

For now, however, I am very pleased with my bag and the learning that went into it.

Thanks Dragica and to Christine and Barbara who run the Certificate Course.