Sunflower Biscornu and a Cabled Hat

I started the Autumn Biscornu at Elim a couple of weeks ago. 

The fabric from my stash that I used was 35ct tea dyed linen. The sunflower on the top was a lot of stitching. I used two strands of floss over two threads. Finished size is about 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".

The pumpkins were only on the corners of the bottom.

And a linty side view.

It was pretty 'squinchy' whip stitching through the backstitched borders when putting it together but with the magnifier on my lamp and the magnifying glasses, I got the job done.

I also finished the cabled hat I started last week. I used Evergreen Aran Wool Cotton Blend yarn - now discontinued.

It used over 2 skeins of the yarn. I knit the brim 4' so it could be doubled over the ears for added warmth. The yarn is pretty scratchy but the hat will be quite warm. 

It's sized for a child so I used bigger needles (5mm) - I have a small head. I think it could be easily made bigger (more depth) by doing the first set of cables twice before doing the second set. I'll probably donate it to some worthy cause because heaven knows, I certainly don't need another hat and the yarn was donated to me in the first place.

I'm looking forward to attending the Pastime Pieces retreat in London ON this weekend. Festivities begin at 1pm so I plan to get an early start. I would like to visit a quilt shop en route and also once I get to London ON, drop into Stitch-It Central for a look around.

I'm trying to decide what to take to work on at the retreat. I have a particular pattern I would like to start but I haven't been able to locate it in my mess office/craft room. Will keep looking.

The program at tonight's guild meeting involves some ornament finishing and I'll be doing a quick lesson on the Palestrina (or double knot) stitch. 

The Palestrina stitch can make a very decorative edging for an ornament, including when joining the back and the front together.

From Mary Corbet's finishing tutorial: 

She has lots of wonderful finishing tutorials under the Tips & Techniques tab on her website. This was her free Stitch Snippet, Christmas Wreath Ornament stitchalong from last year. 

I got as far as printing the template onto some water soluble stabilizer. 

Then got distracted by some other project.