April 2026 Stitching/Crafting Update

Another month has passed, and time to see what else I've managed to work on besides all the new starts!

One big knitting finish was completed, one small start and finish, and two new starts were begun, so let's start there. 

I finally finished the 2024 Advent KAL!

Logamancy (2024 Advent Shawl)

by Renee Stouts

knit with 3.5mm needles and scrap fingering weight yarn

This was a really interesting knit. You start with knitting a triangle, hold the active stitches on one set of needles, then use another set of the same size to pick up one edge and then create a rectangular shape, hold the needles on the active edge, use the other set to pick up a knit edge, and knit another rectangular shape, etc. I used a sock yarn I had an excess of, Unicorns in Space by a local yarn dyer, FiberStash to give it a sort of theme and then used random sock yarn scraps or mini skeins to get the rest of the colours. I still need to block it, but otherwise it's done!

Next, I started on a new scarf/shawl for my Mom. Her birthday is coming up next month, and I think i can get it completed? This is where it's at so far:

Cold Snap by Angeline Webb 

knit with 3.5mm needles 

using Great Adirondack Yarn Co Cotton DK in Hydrangea

My Mom isn't allergic to wool, but finds it scratchy on her neck, so this is all in cotton. It's a really pretty colourway and you need to use 2 skeins. Another new thing for me is the Andalusian stitch. You're mostly knitting in stockinette, but every 4th row is K1/P1. I believe the idea is that keeps the scarf from curling as much. When I first learned the stockinette stitch and realized how much faster it was than garter, I knit a whole scarf in it. And it constantly rolled into a tube! I've added a garter row in other projects that I freehanded in stockinette, but this is a more attractive stitch to use. 

Next new start is a free hat pattern from Celeste Knitwear. There are several free patterns on their site, so I left the link if you're interested. This is the Fair Winds hat, and I have a small start on it so far. 

Fair Winds hat by Celeste Knitwear

knit with 3.5m needles after 3.25mm for ribbing

in Malabrigo Rios Purple Majesty

I've been doing some spring cleaning/organizing and it's made me want to use some of the yarn that's just hanging around. Possibly all the cross stitch is making me want to change up crafts as well? Whatever the reason, I have several hat patterns saved from Celeste Knitwear and I'd like to use some of the DK/worsted I've had sitting around for years now. So here's a start!

For the last finish, I made a dishcloth from some of my dish cotton yarn. I've been collecting it for probably over a decade, maybe 2 at this point, so it's good to get some used up. I'd like to try and get a dishcloth done after every medium/large project, which right now means after everything that's not a hat. 

I didn't get any other stitching done since I've been concentrating on the new starts, and DH isn't going to the bimonthly group any more, so I haven't found a chance to work on his project. Maybe I'll find a time this month though. 

I hope you've all had good months and stay tuned for Mega-Maynia!

Happy Stitching,

Tiffstitch

 

2026 Year of 100 Starts: Start #42 - Don't Cry Because It's Over by Lizzie Kate

I'm fairly sure this is the first Lizzie Kate this year, which is amazing since I have several, as I'm sure a lot of you do too! Fortunately her patterns are still available through 123 Stitch, but it was a sad day when she retired from designing. She definitely has a gift. I've always loved her lettering. 

Do any of you remember these phrases that were sold in CD cases? It was quite a while ago, well before streaming I think, when we all had CD cases hanging around. I think if I gave this to DD she wouldn't even know how to open it. Here's what the cover photo looks like:

 

This also included the bonus bunny chart and a charm and some beads for the smaller design. I don't have any plans to stitch that at this time, maybe next year for Easter? It's not too big a chart. 

My floss toss since I wanted to brighten up the colours a bit:

And although it's on the included linen, which was stiff and definitely not my favourite fabric to stitch on, it's such a simple design that I stuck with it until I finished. Here's what it looks like:

Don't Cry Because It's Over by Lizzie Kate

stitched 2 over 2 on 28ct linen included with the chart

with stash threads, DD Oops, WDW Cyclamen, Camellia, and Blue Bonnet, and Soie Cristale

The yellow/orange SMILE stands out better in person. The linen was curling on the edge, so I had to hold it, and that made the colour more washed out in the photo. I'm happy with the finish and although I'm not sure if I still like the statement as much as when I first purchased it, it's nice to have a finish. 

If you're eagle-eyed, or have stitched this yourself, you may have noticed I skipped the underline on "happened" and a few little stitches. I don't think it's need the extra, so I left it out. 

Hope you've all been having a good day of stitching!

Tiffstitch

2026 Year of 100 Starts: Start #41 - Did You Take Your Meds Today by Subversive Cross Stitch

Time for another quick stitch to use up more stash thread and fabric! Another fun one from Subversive Cross Stitch. They have so many fun patterns, and as someone mentioned once, I do tend to like to stitch letters, so these are perfect for me. This is the photo from their website:

And I picked out some stash fabric and threads and took 2 days to finish this one up. Here it is:

Did You Take Your Meds Today? by Subversive Cross Stitch

stitched 2 over 1 on 14ct scrap Aida

with stash threads, Dinky Dyes, WDW

It's a fun one that I was thinking of for a gift for a friend that tends to forget to take their medication, but then I wasn't sure if it would seem like nagging? I tried to use cheerful colours that are similar to medication colours, plus did some fussy stitching to try and make the tablets look more like medication. 

For now it's in the finishes drawer and maybe a flat fold would be a good idea if I do give it away? Or something that could be hung near where people keep medications? Ideas are always welcome. 

Hope you've had some good stitching days!

Happy Stitching,

Tiffstitch

2026 Year of 100 Starts: Start #40 - Vermont Mini Block by Hinzeit

And another designer makes a return to the 100 starts year! I think I might have been able to do 100 starts with all different designers, but that's maybe more than I was up for. So many of these patterns have been hanging around just waiting for their opening, and I'm so glad 2 Martini Stitcher did this last year to give me the inspiration for this year!

The previous chart, the Canada Mini Block, had a lot more stitching because each charm will be on a maple leaf. I was debating about that for this chart as well, since the "colours" are always a big deal here each autumn. However, in the hopes of actually finishing more projects this year, I left them off and stuck with the pattern as charted. Here's their mock-up of the design:

And I stuck with this one for 2 days to get it finished! I stayed up a little later than maybe I should have last night attaching the charms, but it feels so nice to have it complete. 

Here's what it looks like:

Vermont Mini Block by Hinzeit

stitched 2 over 2 on 28ct Bridget's Garden by Chromatic Alchemy

with stash threads, Jodyri and Silks4U

In case the charms are difficult to see, in order from left to right, there's an evergreen tree, an apple, 2 skis and 2 poles, a maple leaf, a cow, a canoe and the Vermont state shape with a maple syrup bottle. 

The charms are well made and I did a kind of buttonhole stitch around the hanger so they would be secure. I do like this finish. The outline looks like the mountains here in autumn:

And the darker green fits the "Green Mountain" translation of Vermont. 

This one definitely needs to be finished, just have to decide how. Possibly a horizontal flat fold? For now it's in the "drawer" and someday I'll get the inspiration to finish it. 

Hope you've all had good stitching days!

Happy Stitching,

Tiffstitch

2026 Year of 100 Starts: Start #39 - Winter Evergreen by Fireside Originals

I think we've all been cross stitching long enough that we've seen some of these older patterns, the ones that were hand drawn and photocopied? I picked up this one several years ago, possibly over a decade ago, again I think from a LNS that was closing near where I live. Check this out!

Definitely the old style design and the finished design photo is an actual photo with the photo data of 1996 on the back. The copyright on the chart is 1983! 

I had the feeling this one would take me longer that it did, and I'm not sure why. There's not many colours to it, possibly just the hand drawn chart was throwing me off? Anyway, I ended up finishing this in a different way than it's charted, and please let me know your thoughts. 

Winter Evergreen by Fireside Originals

stitched 2 over 2 on 28ct scrap fabric

as charted with DMC

If you can tell from the finish photo, there is dark green (DMC 895) in between the white areas of snow. I finished all the white first, then the cardinal and the highlight green, but after that I kind of like how it looks without the dark green stitched into it. So I'm calling it a finish. It somehow makes me think of my Grandma, she had a big blue spruce tree in her yard for many years, and loved cardinals of course. 

Let me know your thoughts! 

Happy Stitching, 

Tiffstitch

2026 Year of 100 Starts: Start #38 - Holly Jolly Mandala by Ink Circles

Another Ink Circles pattern! This makes 3 Ink Circles starts this year I believe. I've had this pattern for many years, and had it kitted up, but for whatever reason I'd never made time to start it. That time is now! Here's what it will look like when finished:

I haven't found a good way to photograph paper patterns to make them entirely straight, but this is pretty close. I really like how this one has both winter and Christmas motifs. 

I really enjoyed stitching on this one and ended up using an entire skein of DMC Blanc. The pattern calls for 3 skeins, so this is about one third complete now:

Holly Jolly Mandala by Ink Circles

stitched 2 over 2 on opalescent 28ct Flotsam & Jetsam

with DMC Blanc

Despite having a paper pattern, I don't think I've made many errors in this one. I had one counting error so far, but that happens with Pattern Keeper too sometimes. It's certainly possible this one could be finished by Christmas. I was wondering if there was some way to make it into a 2-sided pillow, with one of the Halloween style mandalas on one side and this one on the other side. I'm not the best at finishing, so this will take some brainstorming. 

I hope today has been a successful day of stitching for you!

Happy Stitching, 

Tiffstitch

2026 Year of 100 Starts: Start #37 - Purrfect Stockings by Swallick Stitchery

Time for another small! I think this is one of the series of 12 monthly ornaments from Jo's JCS Christmas ornie Facebook group. I tried to do it a couple times, but usually only got the first month complete, then other things took my interest for the rest of the year. I had printed out all the patterns to be ready, so this is one from that pile. I don't remember which year this was. 2021 or 2022 maybe? When I thought I had all this stitching time because of COVID, etc. 

Apologies for the black and white photo, this is from the pattern I printed out. 

And this looks small, but there's a fair bit of stitching in the stockings, so I actually have not finished this one yet. I think I will probably skip the text at the bottom. This might be a gift for someone with a black cat. I have 2 friends with black cats, and we have one as well, so possibly I should stitch this again. 

Here's where it's at so far:

Purrfect Stockings by Swallick Stitchery

stitched 2 over 2 on 28ct Jamboree by Chromatic Alchemy

stitched with DMC 310 and stash threads so far

There's 3 colours in this so far, the stocking hangers are a dark green colour. I will likely stitch the stockings in red and possibly use some Wisper or metallic for the white tops of the stockings. Might as well jazz it up a little for the season!

This fabric was a leftover scrap and I think it fits the pattern well. Very colourful, almost like fairy lights/Christmas lights. I also love the "chicken leg" lounge pose of the cat, it's always funny to see cats with their back leg stuck out like this. Hopefully I can get back to this one soon. 

Hope you've all had a good stitching day!

Happy Stitching,

Tiffstitch