Granny Squares and Kantha Kat

My Kantha Kat

Number three in my resolution to try out new techniques is a kantha cat.  I found some very crumpled muslin in the bottom of the box, and after a quick iron, cut two squares for the front and back. I sandwiched a scrap of old sheet in between to give it a bit of body. Because it is just a sample, I drew a quick freehand design onto the muslin, keeping the shapes simple and big enough for some rows of stitching inside. I outlined this in red backstitch, and then used embroidery floss for the running stitches inside the shape. I quickly regretted using the yellow thread, as it doesn't show up well (will I ever learn this?) I added eyes and probably should have given him a nose as well. The poor thing has 'experiment' written all over him. 

For the running stitch in the background I used the cotton from the old loom bodkin, which is strong and very smooth for stitching. I echoed the shape of the cat to begin with, but then went all over the place, contributing to the demented lines and the lumpy shape of the finished mat. Being muslin, it was easy to turn over the edge and neaten with an edge stitch. So rather a mixed result. It has a pleasing texture and I could see making lovely cheerful designs using this technique, but probably not something that I would make into a finished piece. 

 

Good old granny squares

Last year's attempt at a wrap around crocheted skirt was added to the official failure list after a few wearings, because it was so bulky to move about in (although it was very warm). It has been painstakingly unravelled, a slow business because it was composed of stripes that changed colour every row or two. With a sizeable collection of different coloured miniballs, the obvious thing to do was to make granny squares. I had forgotten how to do them, but a bit of googling had me on track and production began. The granny squares turned out lighter in weight than the double/treble stitches in the original skirt pattern, and I did contemplate making them into a different version of the skirt.  I started sewing them into a rectangle, and part way through, it got put down on the wooden box of fabric in the sitting room. It seemed to settle down nicely, and so it will probably remain there as a cover, - at least for the time being.