Monday, January 24, 2011

Autumn Button Baby Sampler

Another new baby boy arrived in November for my friend who had her first one a couple of years ago. I decided to make a companion baby sampler to go with the one I stitched for the first baby. You can see the first one on this post. Both designs are from the Homespun Elegance Button Sampler series. For the latest little bundle of joy, I stitched the Autumn Baby Sampler. I did this mostly in the suggested DMC alternatives. Several of those used the blended needle technique to give a tweeding effect. For the pumpkins, I used DMC color variations. The fabric was a piece of Rue Green 36ct Edinburgh linen that had been waiting in my stash for a good use. I added a little wooden leaf button at the bottom since I omitted the squirrel buttons in the corners as shown on the original pattern.


The trickiest part was the squirrel tail and acorn top. They are done in French knots just packed in to give that textured effect. This would have been a disaster if all the French knots had to be the same size, but not a problem for this kind of thing.


One of my non-stitching friends happened to look at my blog one day and grew very fond of my Fetching fingerless gloves. I told her the knitting fairy might help her out. The knitting fairy doesn't usually like to knit the same thing twice, so these gloves were done in Patons Classic Wool, New Denim. These knitted up smaller than the ones I made for myself. It's a good thing because my friend's hands are about half the size of mine.


I've decided to participate in a year-long SAL on the San-Man Board called "The Birthday Village". Each month will bring a different building in the village. Someone on that board started the SAL on linen banding and when I saw a piece that would work and was on sale at 123 Stitch, I couldn't resist. The piece is Mill Hill 27ct Simplicity Banding in Natural. It's 3.5" wide and almost all of that area is stitchable since this banding has only a very narrow selvedge. Here's the January house all stitched up and waiting for it's next door neighbor to arrive in February if the schedule is upheld.

31 comments:

Karen said...

Annie, what a nice sampler for your friend's baby, I love Homespun Elegance designs! Your French knots look good. The gloves are such a pretty blue and that little house is adorable!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

What a sweet baby sampler! The colors are perfect. I LOVE your gloves - almost makes me want to knit. I saw a pair of UGG fingerless gloves at the store the other day - outrageously priced and not nearly so pretty! The January house is darling - doesn't look like January in Michigan, though!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I rarely like to knit the same thing twice either but this is such a classic fingerless mitt.

Your sampler is cute and I know your friend will treasure it. A birth sampler is such a special thing.

Pumpkin said...

Oh nice! Look at all those French knots though :oS A nice heirloom.

What a great idea! I saw the first house and I'm curious to see what comes next :o)

barbara said...

What a lovely birth gift! :D

Ranae said...

Avery cute baby sampler, love all the french knots for the texture.
Pretty Jan. house, lovethe bluebirds in the tree.
What a good friend to keep her hands warm.

Margaret said...

Love the baby sampler for your friend! Your french knots are great! And lucky friend to get some fingerless mitts from the knitting fairy! Love the Birthday Village so far -- very cute!

Deb said...

That is such a sweet baby sampler!

I'm really intrigued by your gloves. I see quite a few people wearing them now - in fact my daughter wants some. I've never tried knitting gloves, but I guess there is a first time.

And your SAL project house is so cute. I can't wait to see what it's neighbor looks like.

staci said...

I love the way the baby sampler turned out...you've done a beautiful job on this keepsake.

And I'm sure your friend is going to love her new mitts :)

Blu said...

The sampler looks awesome. Very non-babyish.
Love the colours in the January house.

Nima said...

Lovely baby sampler

Theresa said...

Such a fancy little squirrel~~~ This sampler is gorgeous~~

Jane said...

I like the idea of doing the houses on a band, it will look good as the houses get added.
Great sampler, the tail is fantastic.

Kirsten said...

Great to see all the things we talked about!
Good job on everything!
Now this will be one year of constant curiousity how the house design continues.

mbroider said...

The sampler looks great... I love your colors in the SAL pic. Is this SAL for Merry Members only? I do surf through the board, but did not find this SAL info... Just curious:)

Patty said...

I love that house! Actually, I love everything you do. :) I have never seen a baby sampler like that before and I love the Autumn theme.

♥ Nia said...

The squirrel tail and the acorn top in french knots is really interesting! I've never seen something that that! But it works, nice textured effect :) I really like it!

Lovely little house! I'll be waiting to see more soon :)

Carol said...

Oh, my! You are brave to do all of those French knots, Annie! But, the tail looks as amazing as the rest of the sampler. I think it is nice to have a baby sampler that doesn't look babyish. All the vital information is there, but it is something they can display forever.

Cute new gloves for your friend (I love that color) and your SAL looks like a lot of fun, too. I love stitching houses for some reason...

Anonymous said...

Love ALL of the things you have been doing. The band sampler will be really nice...LOVE LOVE LOVE those fingerless gloves. What a nice idea for the ereader cover. Very nice work on everything!

Annette said...

What a cute baby-sampler you have made!!!
And the New Sal is beautifull!!

Melanie said...

Oh my goodness! I feel faint at the thought of doing all those french knots. (They are the bane of my existence.) You did a great job with it!!! Looks great. :)

Nancy said...

The birth sampler for your friend's little one is gorgeous! What a fantastic idea for a birth in November. I love the denim blue gloves, and your January house is so pretty. I'll enjoy watching you stitch these. (And, I may have to check that out!)

geeky Heather said...

The squirrel is so impressive!! He looks great. (But then, I have a weakness for squirrels. =)

Siobhán said...

What a cute baby sampler! I'm sure your friend will love it. The gloves are soooo pretty. I like the SAL piece, too! I'll enjoy watching your progress on that.

the striped rose said...

I love the french knots on the squirrel's tail!

Lainey said...

Pretty baby sampler Annie and your friends will love those gloves.
Looks like a fun SAL!

KarenV said...

Love the baby sampler, it's beautiful :) Those gloves are such a pretty colour, I love that soft denim blue shade.

Lucy said...

Great baby sampler!

Lois said...

I love the baby sampler! Well done on all those French knots! Cute gloves and looks like this will be a fun SAL.

Michelle said...

What a cute birth sampler - I'm sure your friend loved it! Great start on the village SAL.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Cute little baby sampler you stitched up there!

I love the sal you've joined!