The rather out-of-focus motif above is the result. One part of it is green when it was supposed to be blue; that's because the first attempt was aborted when the thread slipped out of the needle, and in my panic I pressed the STOP button. Lots. Turns out STOP means don't bother stopping to change colours on this machine, it's the button with the curly arrow actually makes it stop sewing. So I think I've found a use for the rest of the xmas Hobbycraft voucher - buy some more SULKY threads (I only really have primary colours - those flowers were supposed to be pink) and get some more stabiliser, because this was half-done on a small piece that came with the machine. Feeling quite proud of myself as the instructions aren't very clear about how the special embroidery foot goes on, and I had visions of my breaking the machine. Not sure what you're supposed to do with the jump threads (where the needle jumps to a new position) so I just used a seam ripper to carefully trim them as close as I could.
You insert a special card into the machine and the designs are all pre-programmed in; I have four cards altogether. Now what I REALLY want is a programmable card reader/writer, with card and software. This machine (Husqvarna Rose) is a little old so I'm struggling to find one. It would be a lot of fun to design my own embroideries. Himself wants little St George flags sewing onto things, and I'm just waiting to hear he wants a Judas Priest or Metallica logo putting onto something. I might try asking at the local sewing shop, although I'm sure she'll want to sell me the latest model which is way out of my budget.
Talking of which, I do know of a Brother Innovis 4000D for sale in Coventry. I'm sorely tempted - but as it was £3000 new, a sensible offer would be above £1000 I think. I just don't have that kind of cash floating around. I did find it quite ironic that as soon as I start thinking about using the embroidery functions of my machine, another one "turns up" in my life.
Anyway, we had our second little MK meeting in the afternoon. Owing to a few cancellations it was only the three of us, but we had fun working a bunch of decreases (as for the crown of a hat) using one of Kriskrafter's garter bars. They are very well made and nice and smooth. Of course, when I tried making a simple hat on the standard gauge later on, with the "suzuki" garter bars, all it did was shred the yarn and drop off. I gave up in disgust after an hour and produced the most stupidest looking hat (more of a beanie) ever, with the EON method I usually use, and some accidental holes. At least the Rav stash is down to 89 entries, the lowest it's been in a long time.
Saturday night I cast on Susan Ashcroft's Quick Sweater - I've been eyeing it up for a few weeks now as it's been in the test-knitting phase. Mostly because I picked up a bag of Rowan aran tweed last month, and it turns out it has to be quite a loose knit to make a sweater to fit an adult from 500g, and that was one of the yarns quoted. It won't be that quick for me though as it requires 7mm circulars for the most part, and I've lent mine to a friend. Drat and double-drat.
I finished another pair of plain CSM socks in the Texere Jura Ruby colourway; they are drying as we speak and are awaiting their photo shoot. I also decided to make a plain v-neck raglan jumper last night for myself, using up some grey slubby yarn I picked up in September. Nothing exciting about it - not a cable in sight. I just wanted to use up the yarn really.
The Drip Candle socks - I'm past the heel on the second one and enjoying them immensely. Whilst also trying to decide if I want to make another pair (I've plenty more Mexico yarn left).
Having resigned myself to not winning many Ravellenic medals this year, it turns out I unexpectedly have this Saturday free, so who knows?
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