crewel

I have found me a new hobby. For years now, I have used the computer and my camera to do most of my creative things. I can't draw worth beans (though I think I could draw a bean if I needed to), and I have always felt more comfortable creating things using the software I have, rather than with my own two hands. There's such safety in that "command-z" shortcut. I catch myself trying it in real life every now and then...the forefinger and thumb of my left hand doing their little jig. I can remember back to when some software only had ONE chance at an undo. Now they all come with multiples. And I use them often!

But when you put some wool thread into a needle and start poking it through linen, an "undo" involves ripping and tearing and eventually wreaking the fabric and the thread. So I'm more concerned about getting it right the first time. And I feel like there's got to be a bit more planning before I plunge in. I'm not yet ready for freestyle embroidery.

Enter Wool and Hoop.

This girl has taken the crewel embroidery my mother and grandmother did (birds, trees, flowers, elaborate scenes of kittens on chairs, etc.), kept the technique and created some fun modern designs to liven things up a bit. Much more my style.

I started a cross stitch many many years ago of a bunny. I just couldn't stay interested in the design long enough to keep going. But these designs—I just love the abstract shapes, the small size, the great color combos, the fuzzy wool thread—everything about them.

Here's my first finished piece:


And, just for fun, because the instructions state that the goal in crewel embroidery is to have the back of your work look almost as neat as the front, I thought I'd show you how successful I was on that part. Ha!


(You can check out Jan's post today for some spiritual application on this!)

And here's the next one I've started.


I knew there was a reason I bought three matching square frames from IKEA years ago. Now I'll have something to put in them!

Thank you, Katherine, for making it easy for me to create something with my own two hands!