An Evening in Bangalore

 

Captured a mesmerizing moment today as the setting sun cast its golden glow upon the yellow flowers, turning the whole scene into a breathtaking masterpiece of nature's artistry. The warm hues painted across the foliage seemed to ignite every flower, creating an enchanting symphony of colors while the endless sky serves as the perfect backdrop.

More Masks .....

Mouth masks have become a necessity. Why spend money on these when beautiful masks can be easily made at home.

I make these 3-layer fabric masks with a filter between two layers of fabric. It makes it as efficient as a good masks. It is very comfortable and can be washed and reused.

The main feature is that these masks are reversible. The fabric on either side is different and can be matched with different dresses.

Made this mask using white lace on one side over a black fabric to be worn for New year service at church

 

New year gift packed and sent.... 

The Brother They Don't Know About

Seven years back my three year old son passed over. After that I had a son and a daughter. I  have never  told them about their elder brother.

Today, my four year old daughter after seeing his photos asked me "Who is he"? 

I said, " He is your elder brother".

Little confused, she said," Oh! my cousin brother". 

I said," No, he is your own elder brother". 

She asked again," Is he also Sam's brother? ( Sam is my other kid)

I said," Yes, he is".

She looked even more puzzled.

Probably she was trying to figure out and put all the pieces of the puzzle in place.

She didn't say a word and ran off to break this discovery to her brother, leaving me a bit disappointed. I wanted to tell her all about him.

It is good to know that my kids are growing up and learning to ask questions. Sooner or later they will learn  about him.

My baby is not with us any more but he will always be a part of our family 

Rag to a Bag

 After the year end purging, I got a lot of old fabric that could'nt be donated. As, I did'nt want to discard these, I came up up with this idea to bring it to use.

Making a tote bag was really useful for the grocery shopping. It's a sturdy bag that can carry a lot of things.

I love it!!!

Happy Recycling....

Pencil Shavings Reused...

Pencil Shavings Art / Best out of waste

A beautiful piece of art made out of pencil shavings . The Flower vase , creepers and leaves painted with poster colours give it a realistic look.

This is made for my kid's school project. 

Happy Crafting !!

 

Christmas Themed Mouth Mask

Merry Christmas to All !!!!

This Christmas themed Mouth Mask is a Christmas gift to my daughter who surely will love it. It is also special to me in a way that it marks the new beginning of my blogging journey.

I  made two 25 patch quilt blocks , used a mask template to cut the shapes and after some sewing..... 

Tadaaah....... a lovely Christmas Themed Mouth Mask

Have a beautiful day!

Everyday is a Fresh Start.....

2019' Christmas in Abu Dhabi

A short vacation with kids this Christmas in Abu Dhabi.
Travelling with kids would never be easy especially If they are too exploring in nature.

At Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.

After 3 longs years I am back in Abu Dhabi. The best season of the year, here it is a pleasant climate with moderately cold nights. Having lived in Abu Dhabi for around 13 years before and much aware of the climate here, the Summer or barbecue season as some call it is dreadful.

The dawn of 23rd December ,

The sun sets in all its glory

One of the villas in Abu Dhabi, life goes on as usual

Deserted Streets

People are yet to get back from work

Kids playing in the backyard.

The Sun has almost set....

A view from one of the malls' walkway on a weekday  when the malls are least crowded

Cushion Cover Embroidery Part 3: Christmas Tree

Here is the third part of our cushion cover embroidery - the Christmas tree.
It's mainly done with stem stitch.
I had posted long back on stem stitch filling here.
I love the way this tree looks with this kind of stem stitch filling.

I have also used chain stitch and buttonhole wheels.

Happy Stitching!

Cushion Cover Embroidery Part 2 : Snowman

It took me very long to finish this second square. The result is quite satisfying though.

There are quite a few stitches that make up this little snowman.

1. Split Stitch
2. French knots
3. Granitos
4. Satin Stitch
5. Back Stitch

I have started working on the next square and what is getting brewed in it is a suspense. Any guesses?

Cushion Cover Embroidery Part 1 : Candle and Holly

A project that was supposed to be completed by Christmas is just beginning. Better late than never.
So, here's the first design done all in chain Stitch.

I just outlined the candle and Holly leaves instead of filling it, as I felt filling those would make the design look too bulky, and also, the highlights of cherries and the flame would be lost.
What do you say?

Twisted Stockinette and Double Twisted Stockinette Stitch

Here is another knit block as part of knit a block a week series.
I have already missed out few blocks in the past week and trying to make up for those in the coming weeks..

Today's  block has 3 similar sounding stitches with slight variation while knitting and visibly a lot of difference.

So, here we have the 3 stockinette stitches:
1. Stockinette Stitch
2. Twisted Stockinette Stitch
3. Doubld Twisted Stockinette Stitch

1. Stockinette Stitch 

Stitched as regular knit and purl in the front loop.

We have made a block with this stockinette stitch here.

2. Twisted Stockinette Stitch 

Cast on any number of stitches. 

Row 1: Knit through the back loop 

Row 2: Purl

Repeat these 2 rows.

3. Double Twisted Stockinette Stitch 

Cast on any number of stitches.

Row 1: Knit through the back loop 

Row 2: Purl through the back loop 

Repeat these 2 Rows.

The double twisted stockinette stitch has a slight inclination towards left.

Happy Knitting!

Knit and Purl through the Back Loop ( kbl & pbl )

Today's post is on How to knit and purl in front loop and back loop.

We had a previous post on what a front loop and a back loop is. You can read it here.

The regular knitting that we do is knit and purl in the front loop. There are several stitches that require stitching in the back loop. 

So, here are pictures to show how to place the needle and position working thread in each of the four types.

1. Knit through the front loop 

2. Knit through the back loop (Kbl)

 

Video below shows knit and purl through front loop and back loop 

3. Purl through the front loop

4. Purl through the back loop (Pbl)

Video shows purl through front loop and back loop 

Happy Knitting!!

Knitting : Check Stitch

Week 5 of the Knit a Block a Week series is Check Stitch.

Check Stitch :

Multiples of 4 plus 2

Row 1 : k2, * p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 : p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Row 1 and Row 2 once more.

Row 5 : same as Row 2.
Row 6 : same as Row 1.

Repeat Row 5 and Row 6 once more.

Repeat these 8 Rows.

Knitting: What is Front and Back Loop?

While the Knit A Block A Week series continues, I came across some patterns that specifically ask for knitting in back loop.

I have seen my mother knit for many years and learnt knitting by noticing her knit sweaters, scarves, etc.
For the matter of fact that knitting is commonly done in one way, that is, knitting in front loop, be it knit or purl (at least that's was what I thought); I never knew that there was a 'functional' back loop also.
Now that I am learning more about the different stitches, it is interesting to know that various types of stitches can be formed by stitching in these loops.  

Front loop is the one that is directly in front of us and the one that is farther and behind the needle is the back loop.

There is another component that cannot be ignored when talking about the front and back loops and that is the Horizontal Bar. It is the bar or strand present between two stitches.

Happy Knitting!!!

Knitting : Chevron Stitch

Week 4 of Knit a Block A Week series is the Chevron Stitch 

Chevron Stitch

Multiples of 8 plus 1

Row 1: K1, * P7, K1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: P1, * K7, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 3: K2,* P5, K3; repeat from * to last 7 sts, P5, K2.
Row 4: P2, * K5, P3; repeat from * to last 7 sts , K5, P2.

Row 5: K3, * P3, K5; repeat from * to last 6 sts,  P3, K3.
Row 6: P3, *K3, P5; repeat from * to last 6 sts, K3, P3.

Row 7: K4, * P1, K7; repeat from * to last 5 sts , P1, K4.
Row 8: P4, * K1, P7; repeat from * to last 5sts, K1, P4.

Row 9: Same as Row 2
Row 10: Same as Row 1
Row 11: Same as Row 4
Row 12: Same as Row 3
Row 13: Same as Row 6
Row 14: Same as Row 5
Row 15: Same as Row 8
Row 16: Same as Row 7

Repeat these 16 Rows.

Basket Weave Stitch and Double Moss Stitch

Basket Weave Stitch 

Cast on in multiples of 6
Row 1: Knit
Row 2 : Purl
Row 3 : * K1, P4, K1, repeat from *
Row 4: * P1, K4, P1, repeat from *
Row 5 : Same as Row 3
Row 6: Same as Row 4
Row 7: Knit
Row 8 : Purl
Row 9 : * P2 , K2, P2, repeat from *
Row 10: * K2, P2, K2, repeat from *
Row 11: Same as Row 9
Row 12: Same as Row 10.

Repeat these 12 Rows....

Double Moss Stitch ( reversible)

Cast on in multiples of 4 plus 2
Row 1: * K2, P2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches,  K2
Row 2: * P2, K2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches , P2
Row 3 : Same as Row 2
Row 4 : Same as Row 1

Repeat these 4 Rows

Knitting : Irish Moss Stitch and Diagonal Seed Stitch

This is a part of Knit A Block A Week series.
I have knitted a block with two different stitches.

The lower part is the Basic Seed Stitch also known as Irish Moss Stitch.
This stitch gives the fabric a sturdy and textured finish, good enough to be used as borders for sweaters, blankets etc.

The upper part is the Diagonal seed stitch.

Diagonal Seed Stitch 

Multiples of 5 sts
Row 1 ( Right side) : * K4, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 2 : *P1, K1, P3 repeat from * to end.
Row 3 : * K2, P1, K2, repeat from * to end.
Row 4 : * P3, K1, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 5 : * P1, K4, repeat from * to end.
Row 6 : *K1, P4, repeat from * to end.
Row 7 : * K3, P1, K1, repeat from * to end.
Row 8 : * P2, K1, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 9 : *K1, P1, K3, repeat from * to end.
Row 10 : * P4, K1, repeat from * to end.

Repeat these 10 rows.

Irish Moss Stitch ( or Basic Seed Stitch)

Multiples of  2 stitches 
Row 1 : *K1, P1, repeat from * to end
Row 2 : * P1, K1, repeat from * to end.

Repeat these 2 rows.

Happy Knitting!!

Garter Stitch & Stockinette Stitch

A week back I had started a Knit a block a week challenge.
So, here comes the first set . I knitted the 2 most basic blocks together.

When I srarted learning to knit I worked the stockinette stitch first. The most common stitch used for school sweaters as they give a plain and a formal look.

Garter Stitch was usually used for add-on panels for scarves.

Interestingly, these names were not used then. I learned these only when I strated using internet.

My favorite of the two, ages ago, was the stockinette as it gives neat finish.

But now, my preference has changed to Garter stitch, as I love its bumpy and not so plain look.

Garter Stitch

Cast on any number of stitches.

Every row : Knit or Purl


Stockinette Stitch 

Cast on any number of stitches.

Row 1 ( right side) - Knit

Row 2 - Purl

Repeat rows 1 and 2 

Knit A Block A Week : What Is It?

While clearing up my craft supplies, I learned that I have lots of unused as well as left over yarn.
And, it has been a long time that I did something crafty. So, I decided to try knitting that had been on my to do list for quite some time.

Starting this Monday, the first day of October 2018; I am planning to knit a block every week till the end of January 2019.

The two basic knit stitches- Knit and Purl, would be the foundation of every block.

I think this is going to be fun and a lot of learning. I will be posting pictures of the finished blocks every Monday.

I am really excited to knit some of my favorite blocks soon...

Wishing myself good luck,
Let's see on next Monday....

Index

1. Garter Stitch and Stockinette Stitch
2. Irish Moss Stitch and Diagonal Seed Stitch
3. Basket Weave Stitch and Double Moss Stitch 
4. Chevron Stitch
5. Check Stitch
6. Twisted and Double twisted stockinette stitch 

Happy Knitting.