Stitching Project - Blackwork Journal - March 2019

 I wanted to learn a couple of new skills this year, 2019. I decided on improving my knitting skills, exploring texture & colour, I also wanted to learn 'Blackwork', something I have wanted to do for many years.

Stitching Project - March 2019

Maple Leaf

This month, March 2019, I wanted to try a design which blended colours, but also use an object within the piece. I love autumnal colours, what better than a leaf, showing colours associated with autumn. I designed a maple leaf, using 2 strands of DMC thread.

DMC embroidery thread was used:
3031 - Dark Mocha Brown
815   - Cherry Red
349   - Chilli Red
740   - Orange
3820 - Maze Yellow

DMC embroidery thread was used

Blackwork technique was used throughout

I practiced mindfulness while stitching, & I was able to take this to work, before I started to teach ballet. The children always ask what I am stitching at work, I hope it encourages them to start stitching or crafting.

Autumnal Colours were used

I practised mindfulness while stitching

Maple Leaf Embroidery

Maple Leaf Colourwork

I decided to just stitch a plain pattern, this way the stitches look neat & the colours blended in well.

I used brown to give a strong outline of the leaf.











I have really enjoyed this project, it took a little longer than expected, but the colours & texture are very pleasing to me.











For my next project, I will be using old silk threads. I was given a large box full of c1950's silk threads. I couldn't decide what to do with them, should I keep them preserved as they are, or use them as they were intended?  I think they should be used, with the cardboard roll included in the project book. This will keep the thread together & show the history of the thread.

This design can be bought in my shop as a digital download pattern.

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Finished March 2019
Joanna Marshall - Edith Grace Designs

Stitching Project - Knitting Project - Hughenden Manor - March 2019

This year, 2019, I have decided to explore texture & colours in my knitting. I want to record this through a journal & be inspired by my home in the English countryside or places I have visited.

Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire

The walled gardens & Hughenden valley

I currently design doll knitting patterns, but I know there is more to knitting than just 'stocking stitch' & trying to make the perfect looking doll, which doesn't look as if it is hand knitted. I have spent time designing dolls, weaving colours in & out of the work to make pretty patterns, when actually if I had looked at different textures through knitting, I could create something more pleasing.

My March project is based around a day visit in May 2018 to Hughenden Manor. This is in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, about 45 minutes away from our home. My family & I explored the gardens, the house & sat for a while looking over the valley, with the church in clear sight. We had a wonderful day, taking lots of photographs & getting lots of inspiration for future craft projects.

I based the colours on the red brick mansion & walled garden flowers

Knot Stitch 

Hughenden Manor, is owned by The National Trust. It is described as a red brick Victorian mansion, which was owned in the 1800's by the Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield.














The colours I used were:
Green
Pink
Yellow
Coral

Hughenden Manor

I wanted to depict not just the red brick of the mansion & church, but also incorporate the flowers seen in the walled garden & over the valley.







This year, I want to explore different textures, so used a 'Knot Stitch'.
The stitches used in this stitch is:
Knit
Purl 2 Together
Slip Stitch

Hughenden Church

Hughenden Manor

Hughenden Manor

Hughenden Manor

Knitting Journal - March 2019

Edith Grace Designs Shop

Finished March 2019
Joanna Marshall - Edith Grace Designs

Stitching Projects - Blackwork Journal - February 2019

I wanted to learn a couple of new skills this year, 2019. I decided on improving my knitting skills, exploring texture & colour, I also wanted to learn 'Blackwork', something I have wanted to do for many years.
                                                                                           

Blackwork Journal - February 2019

In January, I started my project journal with a study of squares using 2 strands of black DMC embroidery thread.

For February, I wanted to add colour to one of the blackwork designs from my January project.

Colourwork Embroidery

I found with the January project, that 2 strands of embroidery thread didn't give me clean lines within the pattern. I bought some Anchor Pearl Cotton, to see if using a thicker thread but without loose strands would give the piece a neater look. I found this was the case and I loved sewing with the thread.

I used the blue to highlight the squares.

I used the colours:
131 - Blue
360 - Brown
365 - Mustard

14 Count Aida - White

I used Anchor Pearl Cotton

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February 2019

Joanna Marshall - Edith Grace Designs

Knitting Stitches - Knot Stitch - 2019

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April 2019
Joanna Marshall - Edith Grace Designs