things that keep me sane

uhoh, they look like they're summoning more chickies

pardalote's top 20 makes for 2023, number twenty.

These embroidered stones give me great joy. They are also poking me - I have a continuation of this series in mind. Maybe after Christmas. And after I finish working on my current online course. And my submission to the petite textiles exhibition and...

Anyway. I thought these were a good way to wrap up my 2023 top twenty makes. I enjoy working with stones very much: it's a response to the the earth/Earth that I love and depend upon. I enjoy the contrast between the soft and hard, the manmade and the natural, the grid and the curve.

And now back to my regular stream of random new things I'm making.

Little Strawberries🍓🌸

Materials G/6- 4.25 mm hook Worsted weight yarn in red and green White embroidery floss Tapestry needle Stuffing material Abbreviations Ch- chain Mc- magic circle Sc- single crochet Slst- slip stitch St- stitch Sc2tog - single crochet 2 together Rep- repeat Body With red, mc, ch 1 Rd 1: 8 sc in mc, slst to first sc to join, ch 1 Rd 2: sc all around, slst to join, ch 1 (8 sc) Rd 3: sc in first st, 2 sc in next st *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st*  rep from *to* around, slst to join, ch 1  (12 sc) Rd 4: sc around, slst to join, ch 1 (12 sc) Rd 5: 2sc in first st, sc in next 2 st, *2sc in next st, sc in next 2 st*, rep from *to* around, slst to join, ch 1 (16 sc) Rd 6&7: sc around, slst to join, ch 1 (16 sc) Rd 8: *sc in next 2 st, sc2tog in next 2 st* rep from *to* around, slst to join, ch 1 (12sc) Rd 9: sc2tog around, sl st to join, fasten off leaving a long end for weaving (6sc) Tops With green, mc, ch 1 Rd 1: 5 sc in mc, slst to first sc to join Rd 2: ch4, slst in same st, *slst into next st, ch 4, slst in same st, slst into next st* around, fasten off (5  ch loops for leaves) Assembly Thread the embroidery floss through the bottom of the berry and make little stitches all around for seeds. Stuff the body with your choice of stuffing ( I used yarn scraps, polyfil works well too). Thread the end of the red yarn through the top stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Sew leaves to the top and weave in all of your ends.