Last blooms

Last roses in bloom for the year.  They’ve been extra abundant this year and now it’s time for these ladies to rest and restore for next year.

Autumn has begun

Autumn is here .... my favourite time of the year.  I don't know what it is about Autumn that makes me
feel so inspired and itching to create and try new things but it does.  

A few days ago I tried my hand at Kinusaiga after quite a few weeks of wanting to do it but also trying to resist another hobby.  We've all been there haven't we?  

Have you heard of Kinusaiga?  In short it's a Japanese form of art where you create pictures from small scraps of cloth.  The scraps of cloth are pressed into small cuts in a foam block which has been traced from a template to create a patchwork effect piece.  You can read more about it and see images of finished pictures by other crafters online or on YouTube.

I decided to go with a kit for simplicity sake to see how I liked it.  It was very enjoyable and relaxing, even with the slightly achy finger-tip afterwards from pressing the fabric into the foam block.  Here's my first ever Kinusaiga piece, just in time for Autumn and Winter decorating.

Let me know if you've tried this and what you think about it.

Have a lovely day,

Karen x

First Socks of 2026

A new pair of socks are on the knitting needles.  The yarn is HollyBerry by West Yorkshire Spinners

2026 is here.

 

Good morning 2026.

Here we have my annual photo for the start of a new year ……. all the ends of thread and yarn from projects made in the year past.  This is 2025’s collection.  Trust me when I tell you how tightly packed that jar is.

Wishing you all a creative and peaceful new year.

Website, Ravelry and Etsy Updates

I've updated my Website, Ravelry and Etsy sites this morning and as a result have removed some older patterns and charts.  

If there is something you are looking for and can no longer find it, please contact me so that I may send it to you by email.

A visit to Kelmscott Manor

A wonderful day exploring Kelmscott Manor, the country retreat of William Morris (father of the Arts and Crafts movement) and his family in Kelmscott Gloucestershire.  I’ve been wanting to visit here for such a long time and so glad we finally did.  It is so easy to see why he loved it here and why it provided such inspiration.  The embroideries and tapestries by Jane and May Morris were so beautiful.  The paintings and sketches by Rossetti who lived at Kelmscott for a time were glorious to see.

Welcoming 2025

My new year stitching ritual is to take all the cut-off pieces of thread out of the little jar where I have gathered them through the year just past.  

I like to store them to use as the filling for little projects to come in the future.  

It’s always fun to look at the layers of thread and easily identify the projects they came from, leaving an empty jar ready for its next gathering of thread remnants 💙

Why do I call knitting socks Sock-witchery?

You may have seen me referring to sock-witchery in some of my posts and wondered why I call it that.  

The simple reason is that even though I've already been knitting socks for about three years I still find the whole process a bit like magic.  Honestly the wonderment of seeing a heel emerge out of a knitted tube still tickles me each time the heel-stage of the process is completed! 

Also, the juggling of four or five double pointed needles and a circular needle looks like you might be weaving a spell to those observing...... (even though to the beginner sock-knitter it initially feels like a feat in itself getting to grips with it all).  

If you're about the embark on the adventure of learning to knit socks I can tell you the finger-gymnastics and head scratching is well worth it.

Things I learned from learning to knit socks.

1. You can do this....you really can.

2. It becomes an obsession.

3. You have more socks than your feet will ever need.

4. Take your time and read the pattern carefully and make notes. The notes you make as you progress are so helpful.

5. There are a few different methods of constructing a sock.  Pick one method and become comfortable with it's process and then try other methods to discover which one is your preferred method.  My favourite  is the 'heel flap and gusset' method.

6. Start with DPN's (double pointed needles).  I found that using DPN's allowed me to observe and understand the construction of the sock more clearly; which was important for me in the early days.  Nowadays I cast on my socks and knit the first round using DPN's then move onto a circular needle for the leg tube.  I go back onto DPN's for the heel construction and then back onto the circular needle for the foot tube and toe.  You will find what works best for you.

8. Purchase a sock ruler to help with getting foot lengths correct if knitting for others.  If you're just knitting for yourself you don't really need one but I still find it useful.  Mine is a wooden one which is great because it is easy to make a mark on it for each person's foot length.

9. Cast on your sock using needles that are a size up from the needle size you will use to knit the rest of the sock.  This helps with the stretchiness of the cuff, especially if you tend to cast on quite tightly.

10. Prepare to collect lots of luscious yarn, and even better is that there are sock yarns available for every budget.  

11. Have fun.

I'd love to hear about your sock knitting experiences and preferred method of knitting socks.

Karen x

Sock-witchery, the Kingfisher socks.

There’s been some more sock-witchery going on this week.  It’s been a few months since the last pair and I’ve been looking forward for quite a while to casting on this lovely yarn for hubby’s socks - which he picked himself.

The yarn is Kingfisher and is by West Yorkshire Spinners and purchased from Sew U Knit Crafts in Broadway, the Cotswolds. It’s a delightful shop packed to the ceiling with yarny goodness.

This is not a sponsored post.

#weediflowercreations #sockknitting #knitting #sockwitchery

Silent Night Barn Owl Stitchalong

Happy mail this morning with the arrival of goodies to begin stitching my second new start for 2024.

The design is Silent Night by Emma Congdon in the latest issue of Cross Stitcher magazine. The minute I saw it I knew I had to stitch it. Do you fancy joining me in a stitch-along? I’ll call it #silentnightemmacongdonsal and will be starting today but you can join anytime. 

Supplies purchased from www.willowfabrics.com. 

(This is not a sponsored post).

#weediflowercreations #crossstitch #emmacongdon #crossstitchermagazine

What do you do with your Orts?

To close the year I like to empty the little jar where I collect all the thread remnants (Orts) from stitching and hand-quilting worked on in 2023. 

It’s such fun to hold it in my hand and see a visual history of the projects intertwined. The threads are stored in a ziplock bag to use later on as filling for small ornaments.

What do you do with your year-of-threads bundle or Orts as they are also called?

#weediflowercreations #crossstitch #handquilting

Bright Star, a free crochet pattern for you to enjoy.

Bright Star is a sweet and quick-to-make little crochet star created specially for my brilliant sister-in-law Xandra; because she asked if I had a pattern for a star so I made one for her.

The pattern is my gift to you which is free to download on my website.  Click the image to be taken straight there.

Wishing you lots of enjoyment making these.

Karen x

The Weediflower Creations Shop

A few weeks ago I decided to move my shop over to Ko-fi from Etsy.  I though't i'd mention it here in my blog in case anyone wondered why my Etsy shop wasn't showing any listings.  My Ko-fi shop is located here https://ko-fi.com/weediflowercreations  

December 2023 is here

This time of year can be difficult for some and certainly for me this year it will be one of some emotional rememberances because it is the first December since my Mum's passing which is also her birthday month (and mine too). 

Be gentle and kind with yourself at this time of year.  Allow the little moments of magic and warmth to lift your spirits where it can.

Lots of love, Karen x

#weediflowercreations #christmas #december

Sad News

Hello there, i've been quiet on here for a few weeks. Sadly my Mum passed away and as you can imagine it has been a very difficult time. 

I am taking time to be quiet, to rest and to reflect over the next coming weeks and will be back when i'm ready. 

Until then keep crafting and taking care of yourself. 

Love Karen x

May 2023 News

Hello friends,

Here we are in May and what a gorgeous month it tends to be here in the UK.  Spring is in full swing and i'm enjoying the longer days, which allows me more time for stitching in the evening after dinner accompanied by the song of the blackbird who lives in our garden.

​Last month I was delighted to introduce my newest cross stitch design called 'Memory' in my series Echoes of South Africa. This piece is egg-shaped as a nod to the season and festivities in April and  shows a sunset with elephant in earthy colours.  I also included a bonus chart to stitch the piece as an oval shape if preferred.

In March I celebrated reaching 500 subscribers on my YouTube channel and as promised announced two winners in April's episode to select a chart of their choice from my shop.  Both chose 'Memory' and i'm looking forward to seeing their completed pieces in the future.  If you've not yet visited my channel I'd love it if you would come over and  join us. 

Of course I can't sign off without mentioning the Coronation which took place this weekend.  To commemorate the occasion I created a free chart which is available for instant download in my Freebies section.  It's been so lovely and joyful to see them popping up on people's social media photos and videos so beautifully stitched.  I am honoured that you invest your time in stitching my creations.

Thank you for visiting me here on my website and I hope you find a project or freebie you like.

Happy crafting.

Love, Karen      x

 

A new pair of socks off the needles.

A new pair of socks just off the needles.  I’m still a beginner sock-knitter but pleased to say that with every pair it’s getting easier and more relaxing to do 😊 

These were knitted using 2.5mm Knitpro Zing needles by @knitproeu and the yarn is Funny Feetz by @jamescbrett in the colour FZB14 (wool and bamboo blend). It was a joy to knit with and I’m very pleased with the results. 

Yarn purchased by me from @woolwarehouse 

This is not a sponsored post.

#weediflowercreations #jamescbrettyarn #woolwarehouse #knittedsocks #handknittedsocks #sockknitting #knitprozing 

Kindred Spirits Stitchalong

My copy of Kindred Spirits by Teresa Kogut is on its way and I can’t wait to get started.  I love this piece so much and it makes me smile every time I see it.  I’m going to start it next week as soon as my supplies arrive 🥰. Who would like to join me in a #kindredspiritssal because if you are also stitching this it will be so much fun doing it together. 

Love, Karen x

Kindred Spirits by Teresa Kogut

https://teresakogut.com/

#kindredspirits #teresakogutcrossstitch #teresakogut #crossstitch #nashvilleneedleworkmarket2023 #kindredspiritssal #weediflowercreations #flossstube #cstitch

Flosstube 2023 Episode #1 | Cross Stitch | New Starts | SAL's | WIP's | ...

My first episode for 2023 is up on my channel if you'd like to join me as I chat about all sorts of things that have kept me busy in January 2023.

 

 

Celebrating Love

 

If you're looking for a cross stitch project to celebrate ❤️LOVE❤️ then my 'Treasured Love' design is perfect for Valentine's Day, a Silver Wedding Anniversary Celebration, Wedding Gift or in Memoriam of someone special. It's available for instant download in my shop.

Treasured Love is 96 x 96 stitches (6.9 x 6.9 inches) when stitched on 14 count cream Aida or 6 x 6 inches on 16 count. Thread used is DMC. 

 

An alphabet chart is not included in the chart pack because there is already a large library of cross stitch alphabets available online and in publications.

#weediflowercreations #treasuredlove #crossstitch #xstitch #valentinecrossstitch #silveranniversarycrossstitch #silveranniversarygift #weddingsampler #weddingcrossstitch #crosssttichpattern #crossstitchchart @dmc_embroidery