It has been so hot and humid for the past few days and then these huge thunderstorms came through this afternoon.
(Image ABC online)
At three oclock in the afternoon all the street lights came on because it became so dark. Then the rain and thunder and lightening. My little dog will not move from under my chair, she has to be right under my feet. I have closed all the storm shutters as there was hail forecast. Nearly 5 hours later you can still hear the thunder. There must have been lightening strikes as my son has been stranded on the train for the last 3 hours.
(image ABC online)
On the stitching front I have pulled out some work that I started back in 2007. Back then I stitched some Huck Embroidery Hand Towels as gifts using a fabric and a book I had purchased from Nordic Needle in the USA. While going through their catalogue I found another book on Swedish Weaving which I purchased.
It was worked on Monk's Cloth and I searched everywhere here but no one stocked it. I ended up buying a sample piece from the USA and got as far as preparing the fabric and buying the wool to stitch with. Then it went into a bag that has been hanging on the back of the door ever since.
With my knitting I have found that the American wostered yarn is just that much thicker than our DK or 8 ply and wostered yarn is what is used for these afghans. Anyway, not to be deterred, about 2 weeks ago I got that bag down and decided to try this technique. What I have found is that the 8 ply wool will work but I think the thicker yarn would give better coverage. Also, I am stitching across the weft and although the weave is very even I think working with the warp would give a better result.
But, the work progresses and is quick and enjoyable. It isn't fine needlework but these blankets will suit my purpose. I have now ordered some more fabric as I want to make bed-covers for the beach-house. Being cotton these blankets are the right weight for our climate and as they are stitched in acrylic yarn they can go on a gentle cycle in the washing machine. What a shame I can't buy the fabric here.