A lot of updates this time (and picture heavy) 
Firstly CM - the Knight’s figure was finally finished.
This is a 100dpi scan, so suppose the white rayon is better visible here. Somehow scanning at higher resolution and then resizing the image makes the more delicate light effects be lost. So as less resizing as possible.
What I have now waiting for me is the (a bit boring) upper part - stone walls and windows.
Now something blackwork-related.
While I did blackwork that presents in some cross-stitch designs (like Grapes and Quilts), I won’t say to have wide experience in this type of needlework, as entirely separate from cross-stitch. It is a different type, and also has a different style and requires a different look at things. Blackwork by now was something supplemental for me, a way to ornament the main idea. Also I have a big adversion to “old-fashioned samplers” (don’t know how this style is called exactly), and if there’s something to remind me of them I rather turn my head away.
But blackwork of itself is different than that; as said it does require a different view on things, and this is something I’d like to try to achieve. As with any art and craft, a certain understanding is needed so to uncover the special (and valuable) content. I don’t know yet if I’ll like it, but firstly I have to try to uncover it for myself so to know.
I have that book, “A beginner’s guide to blackwork” by Lesley Wilkins. I needed to browse it many times to understand that the motifs given prompt the reader to compose a sampler of his own, and not just provide ready charts. I like samplers, only if they’re not of that other primitive kind; if not then I enjoy the sampler idea very much. It also took me a while to find out that most of the motifs in the completed pieces are provided, but separatedly. My eyes are not yet used to quickly distinguish between motifs.
I don’t want to work small separate ornaments because there’s no application for them. Having enough of such stored in between books, I prefer something medium-sized that could be later put into frame. Thing is, I’m also not much convinced if a blackwork sampler will look good when framed. It should be something advanced so to have an artistic value beyond the technical appreciation from people who do needlework. Also for me a sampler must have a central motif/idea which should be large enough, and it supplemented with borders, ornaments, alphabet. To make several rows of blackwork motifs and call it a sampler wouldn’t be precise. What I would do, is rather pick a large blackwork ornament for the center, and fill it in addition with cross-stitch, so to achieve an exposure. That wouldn’t be a pure blackwork style but rather a mix, but blackwork for me is and will probably remain supplemental. Not a matter of taste, as “taste” is something very irrelevant when it comes to art. In art there’s no “various tastes” but “various degrees of understanding”…
So all this blackwork, there’s a big chance that I myself might not like the result and the style. But also there’s a chance that I might and will most probably employ a lot of creativity so to achieve the “like” result. *g* I’ll keep everyone updated.
On a side note I bought some different threads today, with a thought that blackwork done with DMC cotton will not look good. Cotton threads, especially dark ones (one strand) are too thin - esp. black 310 if used primarily to do the design with. What I bought are very nice shiny threads of turkish origin. Here they’re mostly used for very fine crochet. “Polyester dantel ipliği”. Will see if they fit for blackwork; nonetheless it was a nice shopping time.
They look a bit like balls, heh. Someone’s in a mood for scanning.
And that’s all I got for today.
Difficulty-related, I needed some more concentration for the tiny ribbon. Miscounted, but it wasn’t something major and I left it the way it is. After that realized that the chart in the book I am working from is too small and miscounting happens mainly because of this. I scanned and printed the needed page enlarged and hope stitching will go more smoothly from now on.
I am maybe subconsciously using this free time as intensively as possible; after a while this will be only a nostalgic memory and I’ll be back to a “more normal” slow progress. 
