My ginormous Hitchhiker is finished, It has been soaked and dried, and you know what I really like it. I fixed the error spot again and it looks a bit better. Now you know my eyes are going to go to it every time but I am not so sure any one else will notice it.
It is long, I mean really long at 80 inches across, but I think that is what makes it fun. It definitely elongated during the soaking it got after it was finished. It also became a lot more lovely to the touch. Perfect for around your neck.
Made with Plymouth Yarn Co. Happy Feet DK with size 7 needles. I used approximately 460 yards of the yarn, I only have a tiny ball left. I only made 31 one of the teeth, it calls for 42 but that would have made this ginormous scarf super ginormous and we can't have that. I think it is definitely gift worthy and it will be going to my babysitter. She deserves a splash of color!
Thank you Teresa for encouraging (or being an enabler) us to join in your Hitchhiker KAL. This is a great pattern that takes very little brain power for this time of year, which is exactly what I need right now. I have already started number two.
I also started and finished this Queen Anne's Lace Scarf for the teachers presents. That is number 8 finished for that group of gifts for Little Buddy's teachers and therapists at school. I hope they actually realize this is a scarf and not something else, like last years Christmas present fiasco.
I wanted to show you a needlepoint I made for my parents years and years ago when I was fresh out of college and living in Virginia. I retrieved this from their condo after my Dad passed away.
I spent months of this and gave it to them for Christmas one year. It is a counted cross stitch pattern that I needle pointed onto a blank canvas, so basically it was a counted needle point. I swear this project almost drove me to the brink of craziness with all that counting and stitching. Now you know why I am in awe of all of you who actually cross stitch, I can never even attempt it after doing this piece,
Hope you are all having a good week, we are almost at the half way point! Hooray!
Yes, that cross stitch would be enough to fill my lifetime. That hitchhike scarf is wonderful, I really wasn't expecting to see it done so fast! The Queen Anne's lace is just too pretty. I need to find me a knitter friend!
ReplyDeleteMeredith what wonderful finished pieces!!!! Love the hitchhiker scarf, it is lovely and the Queen Anne's is so pretty. I use to do x-stitch years ago too. What a beautiful scene. Strange to get it back, right? I have a few of the things I had made for my parents and now I cherish the love I had making it for them and it makes me feel close somehow. (and a little sad too, but only because we love)
ReplyDeletexoxoRobin
What a pretty scarf, love that color. Your babysitter should enjoy it very much. Glad you are doing well.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
What a lovely needlepoint, I can see why it took hours and nearly drove you crazy! The scarves are beautiful, I'm in awe of your speed and your wonderful even stitches. I'm still puffing up and down the blanket, but the end is in sight, and I have half an eye on Ravelry thinking, what next..? CJ xx
ReplyDeleteSuch loveliness, Meredith! Your work is always so lovely and in nice colors.
ReplyDeleteThat is an impressive stitching project, I'm glad you can know that your parents enjoyed it. :-)
Your Hitchhiker scarf is terrific Meredith, and the colour is perfect to coincide with the season! Little Buddy has some lucky teachers and therapists to be getting the Queen's Anne scarf and other things you have crafted for them. And that needle point you did is stunning. You might want to give cross stitch a try at some point in the future. I don't do a lot of it, but I do find it somewhat relaxing when I take it out. What we find enjoyable fresh out of college vs. at a later stage of life can often change. My problem with cross stitch and needle point kinds of projects is the fact I need my reading glasses to do them, and even they aren't always enough!
ReplyDeleteI love the hitchhiker, particularly its length. It would be great to wrap around a few times and snuggle into it on these cold days. The picture is beautiful, you can see the hours you must have spent on it and it was obviously cherished. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteBoth scarves are really pretty. You finished them up with time to spare. I'm going to check out the hitchhiker pattern. Do you think it's something a newbie knitter (like me) can handle?
ReplyDeleteI don't do cross stitch anymore :( I really enjoy it but even with glasses find it too much of a strain on my eyes. That was quite a piece you made for your parents- hours of stitching!
The Hitchhiker Scarf looks gorgeous. It looks like the sort of pattern that you can just switch off and knit without having to worry too much. I could do with some of that right now. Enjoy the rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Your scarf is absolutely beautiful. I love the color that you chose. I love your needlepoint that you did for your parents. I know sometimes it can drive you up the wall, but when it is finished it gives you a wonderful feeling to know hey I did that. I appreciate your kind words you leave on my blog and I have enjoyed catching up with you. Your little buddy is precious. Take care. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scarfs and needlepoint !
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that scarf, the colour is beautiful, I love big wraps and scarves, they are lots of fun to wear! I can't believe you were able to crochet and knit such lovely gifts amidst all the turmoil upu have been going through. But maybe that's we are drawn to our handwork, it's a calming place for our minds and bodies. I love your needlework project , it's such a timeless piece snd it can still be enjoyed by your family. That's a lot of work though!! Holy doodle!
ReplyDeleteIf you can convert counted cross stitch to needlepoint, you can take on any needle project! That is quite a trick; no wonder it drove you crazy!
ReplyDeleteI love the way your Hitchhiker turned out. Doing it in DK yarn was a great idea. I haven't been happy with some of my fingering-weight scarves; they are just too flimsy!
Beautiful scarves Meredith, I really love the colour of the hitchhiker scarf I have put it on my to do list it's gorgeous. The cross stitch is lovely I remember made a tapestry for my mother one year which isn't as nice as cross stitch but it took me ages it was on printed canvas, I don't think she liked it much because I never saw it again haha. I have attempted small pieces of cross stitch but they take so long and my poor eyes can no longer cope. :) xxx
ReplyDeleteLove the scarf, especially the color!!
ReplyDeleteReally pretty scarves! I am so unproductive compared to you, and you have so much on your plate! Love the counted needlepoint. It's funny, it looks so much like a watercolor my cousin did of a house along a road like that. I'll have to send you a picture of it. Have a very Merry Christmas and New Year in sunny Florida!
ReplyDeleteMeredith.. your HH is absolutely GORGEOUS! What a magnificent gift for your babysitter! I know she will treasure it and wear it often. I'm not getting much done on mine due to working on my cards. What yarn are you using on the one you just started? You're an inspiration! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteOH.. forgot to say I adore the stichery project you made for your parents and I'm so glad you have it back. Do you know that house is very similar to our farmhouse? :-)
ReplyDeleteBoth of your scarves are stunning! I adore the colours, they really are beautiful aren't they, great work!!!!! I love too the beautiful picture that you made for your parents, it is so wonderful that it is back with you again to love and cherish it and the memories. You worked it beautifully too, and it is a lovely picture as well. Hugs! xx
ReplyDeleteyour Hitchhiker is wonderful!~!! Your gift to your parents can know reassure you of their wonderful life in Heaven when you look at it in your home
ReplyDeleteYour scarves and shawls are beautiful. Now that cross stitch would have pushed me over the edge for sure.
ReplyDeleteLittle Buddy's teachers will love the scarfs. I remember last year, hah.
Hugs
Beautiful scarves. I know the recipients will LOVE them.
ReplyDeleteI used to needlepoint when I lived up north. It is far too expensive a hobby anymore.
You did a lovely job on yours.
I am done with cross stitch too. I think your scarf is tremendous - in length, colour and shape. I made one of those lacy scallop ones but I did it with hairy chunky yarn when I first learnt to crochet and it was horrible but that purple one is mighty fine. Jo x
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith! Your hitchhiker is beautiful and so is the scarf. I just know the recipients will love them. They would be crazy not too. I used to cross stitch all of the time and have many completed projects. My eyesight isn't what it used to be though and so I don't do it as much as I used to. Do you know, I think yours looks a look like Teresa's farmhouse?! I just adore her house and in person it's even nicer than on her blog! :-). Have a happy week Meredith.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Both of your pieces are really beautiful, Meredith. I really love the colors too. Your needlepoint is lovely. I'm sure your parents appreciated it a lot. It's nice that you can have it back in your home now. I hope you're having a good week!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely cross stitch needle point piece Mere. I love the story behind it as well.
ReplyDeleteYour hitchhiker turned out very well. I remember the joy that knit brought me. I have always planned on knitting another. I think it looks fabulous in solids and variegated colorways.
Oh I wish I had together enough for teacher knits this year. But that's the way things go.
All the best.
Your hitchhiker shawl is beautiful. I love the red. I haven't made a hitchhiker yet, but I have to confess that there is an unfinished Queen Anne Lace shawl deep down in a project bag. :-) All the best! Regula
ReplyDeleteIsn't the hitchhiker a great pattern, so simple. I wear mine all the time. Love the colour of yours.
ReplyDeleteYour needlepoint is beautiful, I can't ever imagine having enough patience to make something like that.
Love your Hitchhiker, and I'll bet your babysitter will, too. The QA pattern is a favorite of mine, too; yours is a great color! This month is flying by fast for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe Hitchhiker and Queen Anne's lace scarves are both lovely...no mistakes noted :) The needlepoint is amazing!!! Thanks for letting us admire your handiwork, Meredith! Happy Weekend! xx
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that hitchhiker scarf!!! It is gorgeous! Maybe you can put a little note in with the scarves for the teachers on the line off... This scarf is to remind you of the sweet hugs of the children that you influence everyday (and love).
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't comments to much lately. I actually haven't been on here much. The worries with my mom are hard now. Still with us. But more bad days then good.
You never can do just one. :) All of the scarves are lovely. And that cross-stitch. Wow! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteOK - the fall colors of the blog for today (Dec. 20) is the Hitchhiker pattern!! NEAT!! I like how it is worn!!The Queen Anne's lace pattern is lovely!!! But Meredith --- the needlepoint you did for your folks!!! That's an art piece!!
ReplyDeleteI use to needle point and did a Victorian house for my parents which Mom still has hanging on the wall. I use to do brick covers for my grandparents and aunts and uncles. I'd find a brick from near or around their house and needle point the picture of their house or barn on top and their name on the side. They'd use them as door stoppers.
This is truly a work of art!!!
You are sooo talented!! Thank you for sharing!!