I decided to expand my repertoire of craft skills with a pearl knotting class at
The Bead Factory. I had some beads that needed to be re-strung and decided I could learn to do this myself. This became even more imperative when I learned that a local high-end jewelry store charges
$5 a knot to string pearls. The class project was a string of glass pearls, hanging from my fig tree, right. We learned how to knot on silk and on nylon. I'm a silk girl.
With some remedial training — The Bead Factory employees are most helpful and patient — I my broken necklace, below, is now wearable again.
Then I wanted to re-do this jade or jadeite bracelet that I got in Thailand to make it longer. The holes in the beads were too big for knotting, so The Bead Factory employee suggested putting spacers between the beads. Perfect!
Jewelry-making can become as addictive as knitting. If you think you can spend some money in a yarn store, just walk into a bead store.
I see no stork's nests on my rooftop or chimney, but one is in my scarf collection. It's Nancy Bush's Stork's Nest Scarf that was in the January/February issue of PieceWork magazine. The particulars:
Last year at the Western Washington Fair I met Elaine and Randy of Blackberry Patch Farms and some of their sheep. I didn't know this place was so close to home! Later in the fall, I purchased some of Elaine's hand-spun yarn, which became this very warm scarf.
On tour with the Touring Wrap from Village Yarn & Tea. I saw a shop model and had to make it. The details:
I would like to work through the odd bits in my stash this year. This was a good start.
The yarn is left over, that is, from a vest I made for my husband. I had two full balls and most of a third ball. Thanks to the resources of Ravelry, I decided on the Irish Hiking Scarf.
My first attempt at knitting a Japanese pattern was fairly successful. This is design #7 from "Knitted Lace Designs of the 'Modern' Mode" by Kazuko Ichida, also known among doily knitters as "the blue book." The knitting was straightforward doily knitting with familiar symbols and none of the hieroglyphic, twisted, upside-down-and-backwards Japanese knitting symbols.
I decided to expand my repertoire of craft skills with a pearl knotting class at The Bead Factory. I had some beads that needed to be re-strung and decided I could learn to do this myself. This became even more imperative when I learned that a local high-end jewelry store charges $5 a knot to string pearls. The class project was a string of glass pearls, hanging from my fig tree, right. We learned how to knot on silk and on nylon. I'm a silk girl.
This is design #5 from Lavori Artistici #11. I selected it because I like the cable. Lace and cable are a great combination; doilies with cables are even better.
