Sep 4, 2012

A knotty girl

Yes I am!  Hi everyone.  I admit it.  Much to the dismay of my sister in law who was an exceptional needleworker.  But it's all out in the open now.  I don't know why cross stitch instructions are so adamant about knot having knots.  Am I the only one or do you slip a few here and there?  Because I don't use a high count linen, my thread is always doubled. 
 When ending the thread, I pick up and go through one thread from the last stitch, then again to knot, then run along the back of adjacent stitches.  It secures that last stitch from becoming a little loose from lack of tension, and allows me to cut the tails closer. 

 Am I making you queasy again?  I can't see what the big deal about knot knotting is.  It doesn't make a bump on the other side, and when doing a small motif of several colors, you end up with a much thicker area when thread after thread is ended under stitches. 
So there you have it. 
Another non-traditional, reckless, wild, and defiant act.  I'm such a rebel.
I've been working on Mary and changed a few colors, mainly because I don't like thread so light it blends with the fabric.  I choose 931 instead of 161 and decided to tone it down a bit with the Pearl Gray dye.  It's just enough. 
 And didn't I just post about not keeping several skeins of the same color together?    Totally forgot and when pulling another thread, I noticed this difference in the same color.  It's not a big deal but it can be in some designs so I really need to pay attention.   


I also started my sampler bag free chart on a lighter fabric using these same colors.  Looking at the two together, I can see what I thought would be a subtle difference in 28 and 32 count.  I was wrong.  Much nicer on the 32. 




I dyed a few pieces of off white linen and got three different results.  Originally, they looked exactly the same ivory, but in the dye bath, one came out tan, one beige, and one a pinkish shade.
Today we went to Volant.  I had a signed print from a local artist of The Tavern in New Wilmington, a charming eatery that has been there for decades.  I never had it framed and decided to offer it after reading an article about the landmark.   In return, I got a dozen of their sticky buns.  Guess how many are left?
We also stopped at the antique store and I purchased this nasty wall cabinet.  It's bad isn't it?   24" x 34" of nasty.











 Made from old crates with hinges I've never seen before.  Wasn't too much money so Mark told me to buy it because we weren't going back tomorrow.  He knew if I didn't buy it, I would want it, and if I bought it, I would be sorry.  That's me.  But I can work with it - a long skinny basket from Ann  on top and a skimpy vine wreath on the door.  Ann framed her Lydia Broome and guess what?  Before seeing hers I had already disassembled my Lydia pillow and mounted it for framing.  Now I'm glad I did and will be ordering a frame from Ebay.
I'm still having a small offer for 400 followers and 200 posts but not sure what it will be yet.  And this has nothing to do with anything, but did you know that women's pants can be ordered by inseam length from Land's End?  Their clothes are good quality, and they have closeout and special deals.  Excellent customer service.
That's it.  There was more but I can't remember, so until I do, thank you for visiting!  Hope you all had a great weekend. 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


25 comments:

Gabi said...

I'm knot knotting...lol...but have few tricks to secure my thread before starting without a knot. And never thought about knotting when ending it. I have to admit there are few occasions where it comes in handy. I might follow your example in those cases I think. I'll give it at least a try.

Pity with the different dye lots.

I love your Mary. Those colors just work together well :)

TheCrankyCrow said...

Ha!! I knew I loved you Marly Girl at first post.....!! I'm a secret closet knotter too. I mean, really - what if years and years from now when someone who really cherished my useless pieces of drivel had the thing start coming apart?? I'm sure they'd appreciate my one little slip know concealed neatly under my tediously woven end threads.... A gal after my own heart!! Thanks for the confession. You just made me feel tons better!

Love your new old nasty. She's BEAUUUTIFUL! (But am I missing a photo with Ann's basket and the skimpy wreath on it...or is that eye candy to come??? And HA! again....I so know that "if I buy it, I'll be sorry, and if I don't, I'll be going back" story. Are you sure we're not twins from different mothers????

Hope your week is off to a great start. I know I have more catch-up to do here, but I'm off to sleepy night now. Hoping to dream of rain. Will pick up here sometime in the morning hopefully.

Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

TheCrankyCrow said...

PS - YEAH for Land's End....that is a company not so very far from Nod...
:o)

Dirty Martini Queen said...

I love, love your new nasty and if I'd have snatched it up really fast. Love those spirits of make-do stuff.

I'm scolding you like your SIL would have.....we will have no knots in our stitching...lol! I've never knotted but I sure have cursed plenty when my secure tucking under has come undone and I'm forced to take out several stitches just to fix it. I think it's whatever works best for you so knot away my friend.

Now you have probably told in an older post what you are using to dye your fabrics with but I have CRS so will you please refresh my failing memory. I have a few pieces in my stash that are sorely in need of a color change if I'm ever going to use them.
Donna

connie said...

I have been known to put a knot in here and there..It's our piece so we can do what we want with our stitching..LOVE,LOVE,LOVE your wall cabinet

Chris said...

I am sure that your knot technique for finishing is one of the types of knots that people get upset about. There are knots and then there are knots.
The new cabinet will look amazing in it's new home.

Ann said...

OMG you are such a Rebel - Now the world knows you knot! LOL.

I'm loving your new cupboard - I'm glad you bought it so you aren't kicking yourself today. I certainly can relate to the "wish I had" process!

I sure hope my name isn't being used in vain in your house! "I'm tearing this apart because Ann did" "I like how Ann's looks" Your husband probably hates my name! LOL.

Have a great day my friend.

~Ann

Primitive Stars said...

Hello You Knotty Girl, it`s o.k., to knot or not to knot, who cares, it`s what you like,right. I love love you nasty cupboard, thats my kind of primitive look,great buy.Have a great day,Blessings Francine.

Maggee said...

Cool cabinet--are you going to re-finish it or leave it as-is? And I am of the mind that you do whatever you want with YOUR stitching! The Stitch Police be hanged! I don't think even the pickiest judges at a fair check out the backs!! Sometimes I travel FOUR stitches! Oh heavens!! Is that forbidden too? Take it up with my lawyer! Ha! Hugs to you!

cucki said...

ahh i love your wall cabinet and stitching so much..
yup i am agree with all the above..knot or no knot.we all enjoy our lovely stithcy time and stitching so much.
love xx

Vickie said...

Land's End and I are both from Wisconsin! ;) I just love their clothes. Jeans, pants and swimsuits for tall people! I have found excellent deals at their Land's End Inlet stores here.

Kaisievic said...

Love your stitching and how you are so brave to change the colours around to suit your tastes.

Penny said...

I knot! Sometimes when starting a new color I run it under a few stitches, and then loop it back through the last stitch to secure it. I seem to have a problem with pulling the thread out from under the stitches.... am I the only one to do that? Anyway, I sometimes knot at the end as well.... I am definitely guilty along with you... but I don't believe you can tell in the finished product.... and it makes life a little easier!
TFS....have a great Wednesday!

Penny said...

BTW...LOVE your new 'nasty' cabinet!!

Lanie said...

Marly, I too love,love,love your new wall cabinet! I'm looking for one for my powder room and that would be the perfect size. Phewy you saw it first! ;)

Why can't we knot? I somewhat taught myself to stitch on linen and at first I knotted ... how else do you make sure the thread was secure? But I will never forget participating in a stitching class and being "scolded" for doing so! So now I do both ... I always knot when as you mentioned there are just a few stitches on a small motif.

Margaret said...

I always love your posts. :) I sometimes do that going under a thred twice thing too. is that a knot?? Nah!! lol! Interesting about land's end -- I didn't know that! might have to check it out. Your old cabinet is cool! Only a bit nasty. lol!

Margaret said...

Ack! threAd. lol! My cat is on my keyboard making my life difficult.

Barb said...

Here's my theory about my needlework-do what makes you happy!!! If that includes knots,go for it!! I used to be a quilter and I turned that into a chore trying to get lots of stitches to an inch! I refuse to do that to my cross stitching! Do love that cupboard. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Deb said...

I know that a lot of people don't knot because a small bump can show up when you frame it. I learned a trick for threads that I learned actually from needlepoint. I knot the thread to begin but go in from the top - I go down at a point where I know that my stitching is going to cover it from the back. When that thread is covered, I snip the knot. For the back, I just run the thread under another stitch a couple times but don't know. I've never had a problem.

Katherine said...

Oh, no, no, no - knary a knot in my stitching. But, if it gets you stitching, then you should just go ahead and keep knotting your thread. Lovely pictures.

Judy said...

The knot is just like the glass....it's your stitching--do as you please!!I definately agree that thread can pile up in a small area. How can that lay any differently than a tiy knot?

The cabinet is lovely. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to buy something, talked myself out of it, went backt to get it---only IT is gone!! And on the other hand, bought it, then thought--what was I thinking!! Ha--the circle of life!

Enjoy,
Judy heartland stitcher

rtc said...


I wonder if your "Nasty Cabinet" was made in Tennessee.......

Shaunterria said...

I am sure the Knot Police are not going pack you off...they may write you a ticket or two :) If it is not causing bumps when you mount them, I say a knot is not a problem. I myself love to use a loop start because then I know that thread is going *nowhere*. Also, your starts are lovely :)

--shaunterria
ca11i0pe.blogspot.com

Patty C. said...

I don't know why they say you ought not knot - roflol -
I think your work is beautiful any way you choose to do it!

Shirlee said...

Hmmmmm ... You are making me consider knotting! Hiding ends for me is a stressful experience. I think I will try it on my next project! There ya go ... easily influenced again : )

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