Unicorn Embroidery

I finally got this punch needle kit out that I got from Michaels like a year ago. I think I bought the wrong type of needle for it because it was difficult to push the needle through the fabric and the thread would come undone every time. The punch needle stuff has been sold out in stores for so long so I decided to embroider it instead.

 I made a loop stitch for the body, satin stitch for the blush, and back stitch for everything else. To add more details, I used some metallic gold thread. I also used some of the felt flowers from the kit along with some nail art rhinestones and sequins.

I did a leaf stitch to make some little wings.

I wanted the mane to be more pastel-y so I only used the lighter colors from the yarn included and then added in some Teeswater locks that I got from La Fiaba Russa and some leftover handspun yarn.

 

To cover the bottom, I crocheted some flowers out of #10 cotton thread and a 1.5mm hook. And then I painted the background with some watercolors.

Fairy Queen Coat

I've had the Fairy Queen Coat pattern by Earth Tricks in my queue for years but kept putting it off for other projects. When it was first released, it only had 1 or 2 sizes and it didn't seem like the pattern was tested or tech-edited so people kept finding mistakes. But it got updated and now it goes up to size 3XL.

I tried to use up yarn I already had so I chose this pink/lavender acrylic yarn. Otherwise, I would have gone with cotton for a better drape. I ran out of yarn so my "coat" is much shorter and I modified the sleeves. 

I can't remember what yarn it is but it's either the discontinued Craft Smart yarn from Michaels or a discontinued color from Red Heart with Love.

My modifications are listed in my notes are on Ravelry.

Butterfly Filet Crochet Curtain

I stumbled on the pattern Swallowtail Butterflies by Kimi Honda while browsing Ravelry. It's from the 80's/90's so it's out of print. 

Interestingly enough, it was shared in multiple magazines (I thought that wasn't a typical thing for crochet??) and I was able to find the Magic Crochet magazine on eBay.

I made mine into a curtain instead of a table runner so I only did the first half of the pattern and then repeated the stars/dot pattern until it was long enough. I used a 1.3mm hook and Aunt Lydia's Classic Crochet Size 10.

It's currently being used over my shelf as a jewelry holder.

Antique Finds: Lace

I spent the afternoon exploring a few antique shops looking for lace. One shop had an amazing stash---not just lace, but also ribbons, sewing supplies, and doilies. 

At another shop, I spotted a heart-shaped doily and even a butterfly-shaped one. 

They were so unique and now I can't stop thinking about them. I decided to not buy them at the time but it's fine, I guess I can try making my own.

A Needlebook Made from Scraps

I made a little book for my sewing needles and bits. I challenged myself to only use leftover materials. 

I've been fascinated by needlebooks ever since I saw some amazing ones on Flickr over 10 years ago. Seeing all the creative styles people made back then always stuck with me and I've always wanted to try making one.

For this project, I used this Needlebook tutorial by nanaCompany. 

I actually didn't have large enough scraps to make the patchwork back so I went with a single fabric like the front.

I also tried to use iron-on interfacing. It worked... kinda. I wasn't paying close enough attention and the fabric ended up bunching a bit.

Even with the flaws, I still like it! It's such a cute project and I really want to make more now.

Crochet Leaves Sweater

I wanted to make a sweater with a leaf design and stumbled on this design, the Leaves Sweater by Annette Petavy from the book: Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution. It's out of print so I had to get it from the library.

Mini ivy leaf belt from Foxes and Ravens.

It's so unique with the lace, leaves, and shaping-- especially for crochet at that time (2007). I made a lot of modifications which are listed on my Ravelry page. It took me about 5 weeks to finish it.

I used Loops & Threads Soft & Shiny Solids in Parsley but when I was almost done with sleeve #2, I ran out and the color was sold out everywhere! So I redid the sleeves with Caron Simply Soft in a similar color (kinda) at the wrist and transitioned to the original color for the sleeve cap. I also did the neck edging in the new color.

I really like how it looks but if I were to make it again, I'd make it using foundation chains because the beginning chains have no stretch, and getting it over my shoulders is a struggle. I'd also make the front panel longer (before the leaves) to account for DD+ cup.