On the Rocks
Once again, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint anyone coming here looking for real knitting content. (I am actually knitting, but showing an inch of additional progress on a sock or a scarf seems uninspiring at best). Today I'm going back to my cross stitch project because I have hit a major milestone with it: I have completed the cross stitching for all the rocks.
It might seem like it took me an awfully long time to complete a relatively small amount of cross stitching (the rocks under the dragon's tail). I've not only worked on this project an hour every evening, but over Memorial Day weekend I probably got in an additional 8-10 hours of stitching on this project. How could anything take that long? I provide you with some additional detail on this:
This is the small section of stitches under the right end of the dragon's tail, extending to the opening where the end of the tail will be. Almost all Teresa Wentzler cross-stitch patterns involve using two plies, each of different colors. She blends colors that way, and also tends to use each color in very small areas on the canvas. Thus, you change colors a lot and spend a lot of time separating thread and doing thread maintenance stuff. I used to keep multiple needles threaded at once when I finished an area and still had floss left, but now I just clip the remainder, throw it away and go on and just use one needle. Easier for me to keep track of since I'm not in any danger of running out of floss.
That said, you might notice that the rocks under the dragon's tail are darker than the ones above. I'm not sure if this is due to fading, one of the base color flosses with a different dyelot (colors 3041 and 3042 are blended with other colors most often to make the rocks) or if they are supposed to be darker due to the lower body of the dragon shading those rocks. With cross-stitch, as in knitting, you should always get enough floss to complete your project from the same dyelot, but this project is pretty old and I have no idea if I am still using the same dyelot on these colors or not (I think I am for most of them...).
This project is getting a bit exciting for me now. I feel like I am coming into the home stretch. At the same time, working on this project has been an unexpectedly pleasant re-awakening for my fingers -- like finding a $10 bill in a winter coat pocket.after it was put away for the summer. It feels very natural and comfortable and enjoyable. So much so, that I've been trolling Ebay for some new patterns.
By now, perhaps, you are sensing that I have a little thing for dragons. And so I probably do. It was the fantasy creatures that drew me to Teresa Wentzler's work originally and clearly it keeps drawing me back. I got the "Petites" book because I like the idea of working on a "small" TW project (not to worry, they are completely chock-a-block with blended colors) and the Celestial Dragon design because I like this departure from TW's standard fantasy oriented dragons. I could actually see this design on a wall in my living room, if stitched on a sophisticated linen background. If you want to see all of TW's designs (and she has a bunch of free charts, too!) you can find her site here.
The last time I posted about my cross-stitch, I know that there were a number of you out there who told me that this was inspiring you to go back pull out some of your old unfinished projects. I'd like to keep encouraging y'all to do that. Don't have something unfinished? Maybe it's time to start something new. I've also been buying some interesting new floss and fibers so that when I finish the Castle, I have another interesting new project to start!
Your dragon is looking lovely.
You've got my fingers itching again but I am resisting! The Male Child is now stitching a replacement for his Eeyore pillow and he has the neatest back!
I'm a big fan of dragons, too. I did one in blues, purples, and greens on a black background...I wonder what happened to the pattern.
You are indeed inspiring me to resurrect my cross stitch projects. I am a big TW fan and have a few WIP on my shelf. I find it so fascinating how many fiber addicts also have a sewing/needlework background. There just aren't enough hours in the day for us!
Looking foward to seeing your finished project; it's beautiful.
Wow. that is impressive. I know how much work that is, and the blending/switching of colors....wow....
I have that dragon hanging here next to my desk. One of the more enjoyable cross stitch projects I did. A bit fiddly with the color changes, but well worth the time.
I have the Celestial Dragon, but it was pretty far down on my list of cross-stitch to do. I have to finish the Egyptian Sampler first and a few birthday/holiday presents before I get to do something for myself.
Looking at the whole picture of the project I would have to say the lower rocks are definately supposed to be in shadow. The lighting looks right.
Nice work! I usually pull out my stitching in the middle of summer when knitting seems hot and bulky all of a sudden.
Aha! This is the blog I saw the dragon cross stitch on! So it's all your fault I've abandoned my second falling leaves sock in favor of a several-year-old snowman cross stitch. ;)
I do love the dragon - I think my mom started that same project (or an eerily similar one) several years ago...
I have the booklet for the dragon and for the nautical sampler (Tradewinds, I think?) Her shading is absolutely gorgeous, and worth the time. Don't know if you already know about it, but you might have a fun time browsing the Nordic Needle website. I used to spend a lot of time drooling over different kinds of needlework and supplies there before I started knitting almost exclusively.