Progress on Big Red Ship of Life

Cross stitching has been my main crafty focus for a few years now.  Although I used to cross stitch when I was young, I picked it up again after finding all sorts of intresting and modern patterns on Etsy!  I started working on a few fan art projects and then moved on to some more intricate designs.  I found a wonderful cross stitch community on social media which also helped with the obsession!  Currently I have 31 works in progress (WIPs) that I am working on.  

One of my most favorite projects is Big Red Ship of Life.  This beautiful pattern was designed by Ink Circles.  Here is a cover photo of the finished piece:

I started this in 2017 and have been working on it here and there over the years.  Instead of stitching with one color thread for a monochromatic look, I chose to create a colorful ombre' using Fiberlicious silk flosses in the Ocean Sunset collection.

I worked my way from the bottom up, changing colors every 25 rows or so.  I also feather slightly so that there isn't too harsh of a line between the colors.  I have completed 2-3 colors a year so far and currently am about half way done!  Beautiful reds, oranges and yellows are left to fill in the top.

Before I started stitching, I planned out the ombre effect.  I took the vertical stitch count and divided it by the number of colors I wanted to use.  That number gave me the stitch count for each color.  I stitch 23 rows of each color.  To take the harsh line between colors away, I choose a few stitches above and below the line to intermix with the next color.  I call this feathering.  The next picture is a closer look so you can see this.

I am excited to get back to this!  I am currently trying to complete some of my projects (WIP down) so that I have around 20 current WIPs.  30 just seems like too many!  Once I WIP down a few more, I will pull this project out again.  I am in no hurry to finish it!  I absolutly love working on it and hope it lasts forever! :)

Do you have any projects that you will be sad to finish because you love working on them so much?

-Tess

Supplies:

Big Red Ship of Life by Ink Circles

Antique White 32 count Linen by Wichelt- a full yard

Fiberlicious Silks- Ocean Sunset Collection