Project Christmas Stocking

[angrboda]

My job has been pretty awful and stressful since spring and I'm only just now getting back in a crafty place again. I just didn't have the brain capacity for very much before.

However, Project Christmas Stockings is taking off! I'll be using this tutorial, with some modification to do with personalisation. I've got all the materials I need and have started on the names. I initially thought I'd replace a bit of the stocking cuff with the embroidered aida, but then a couple of things happened (I blundered with the placement when making the start on the first one, and have discovered a stubborn stain on the aida for another part), so rather than starting all over, I've decided to just cut the aida smaller and applique it onto the cuff instead. And after I thought about that for a bit, I think I actually like that idea better than my original (although much easier) idea.

I'm using this varicoloured floss for the names, which I've never worked with before. The effect is quite good! I had wanted a redder red, but this was the reddest I could get. It's not too bad though. I do feel like the strands must be finer, because I'm not getting nearly as good coverage as with regular floss even railroading to the best of my ability. They don't seem to be with the naked eye, but there's definitely a difference from other things I've worked on the same cloth. Can anybody confirm or deny? (ETA forgot to say I always use DMC floss)




So, there you go. Now you know the first two letters of Husband's name. Please to keep it to yourselves, though. I asked him if he was alright with me posting this and he said he didn't mind. I try to keep my own name as private as possible outside of facebook, so I prefer to do the same for others.

Comments

[grey853]

Looks like you're off to a good start. Thanks for sharing.

[angrboda]

Thanks. :) It's pretty fast going when you don't have to worry about changing colours. :)

[grey853]

I'm a big fan of variegated threads for that very reason. I particularly like them in samplers. Good luck.

[angrboda]

I've mostly done pictures and such so far, so my selection of colours have been set by the designer. I want to come up with some small things of my own eventually, pattern-y sampler-y things, but haven't looked too closely at that particular project yet. I could definitely imagine using varicolour again for that, though.

[celli]

It looks good! I used exactly the same thread for a bookmark I did recently and really enjoyed the colors. :)

[angrboda]

Yes, it's quite good. I was a bit concerned you'd be able to tell precisely which way I'd gone around the letters, but it turns out it's not so bad. I can, because I know, but otherwise it's not noticeable.

[mirlacca]

I wonder what it would look like if you used one strand of variegated floss with one strand of regular, bright red floss? It wouldn't be quite as "variegated" but you would get your bright red.

[angrboda]

That's a really good idea! Bit too late for this now, though, but I'll have to remember it for another time. Mixing strands is another technique I've never worked with before. :)

[ranunculus]

I was going to suggest something like that, simply adding another individual strand to the regular floss to make coverage a bit better. What you have already done is beautiful.

[angrboda]

So three strands in all? That's also new to me. I've got another project at the moment where some of it is with just one strand and that felt really odd (but looks great). Too late for this one now, though. But it's okay, because I've got used to this now and for the purpose it's not super disruptive to have the fabric come through so much. :)

[ranunculus]

Mutters and goes off looking for embroidery floss, and fails to find stash (it has been a long time since I did embroidery with floss). I'm sure it is here somewhere.... So, each strand of floss is made up of several smaller ones, I thought it was at least four, but three is possible... You use one whole strand of floss plus one or more of the component strandlets. It is a little harder to make a perfect stitch because the loose strand, the one that wasn't twisted in with the first whole strand, can pull tight a little differently. That said, if your strand of floss is a little "thin" adding a little is a good way to bulk it up and can make the whole project look better. I use the same strategy for yarn on occasion.