Macrame Experiments

Hi Everyone

As I mentioned yesterday, I have a new favourite crafting idea - Macrame Braiding (read back yesterday for more on this). My Macrame board arrived and I'm already halfway to my first finished bracelet. It's quite a satisfying process, particularly including beads into the braids.

                             

The board is a great help in holding and organising the braid, I'm very happy I acquired the tool. I've managed to find some great little beads to make up my bracelet which will be a wrap style piece. The closure will be made with a button and a braided loop. Hopefully I can find time to finish my bracelet today. I've already decided on my next design using different sized beads. Generally, Macrame is a great success with me !

It's Friday, so I'm also updating on the Hanabira crochet cardigan, read back each Friday for more on this project. It seems to be taking forever but I try and complete a couple of rows each day - I've not quite managed that every day this week but I've made some progress. However, I'm struggling to see any progress in this weeks photo :

                            

I'm still up and down about whether the project is a success or not ? I'm hoping the final garment will be wearable ? The jury is still out ! I'm still quite enjoying the process of making the cardigan, although every now and then I think the quality is not quite good enough. I'm also a little anxious that the size will be wrong ? I'm absolutely committed to completing this project - not sure when I'll get there ? but I will definitely get there !

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend.

Macrame Inspiration

H Everyone

I've yet another inspired idea today. This has followed my Kumihimo work (see the last week or so for more on Kumihimo). My new idea is Macrame braiding. I was inspired by looking at a few kits from the bead shop, Spoilt Rotten Beads. They have some great videos as well as kits for developing Macrame bracelets. Take a look at their website here for a tutorial and details of their kits. 

I was especially taken with a braid combining beads using the Macrame technique - I'm already selecting beads from stash to combine into a design of my own. I've ordered a Macrame Board which I'm hoping will arrive today. I could, of course, use a clip board to develop Square Knots and 'weave in' beads - I've done this many times. However, I like the idea of the little board and feel it would be a more satisfying tool to use.

                                

I especially love the blue version (above) which is a long,wrap style bracelet. I don't have beads like the ones in the image so my version(s) will look  different but I will aim for the colour combinations.

I'm hoping I can come up with a few different designs of my own, once I've practiced with the Board and the inspiration ideas above. I'd like to develop a few necklaces too - watch this space.

Thanks for calling in today.

The Knit Programme

Hi Everyone

Knitting has taken a bit of a back seat for a few weeks now ! I've been very busy with new Making projects and sample development - read back for more on this. However, it's time to get my knitting back on track. I'm still working away on a couple of cardigans, one knit, one crochet. My knitted cardigan is quite close to finishing but the crochet version will take many more weeks ! I'm enjoying both projects but I've been wondering what to do next, for a couple of days ? 

I've lots of new publications, POM POM as well as the latest Laine for inspiration but I keep coming back to my FairyHill Shawl by Helen Stewart. I've had this organised for some time and it's all ready to go, in a project bag - just waiting. I loved dying this yarn myself and am quite excited to see how it will knit up. So, I think it's going to be the FairyHill Shawl.

                        

While I'm occupied with the cardigans and this shawl, I'll keep thinking about the next knits. I also need another idea for a pair of socks. This will top up my yarn programme. One large knit (more than one skein) -  the Mielle Cardigan by Andi Satterlund; one crochet project - the Hanabira by Eline Alcocer ; one pair of socks - to be decided (although, I do have an idea) and the FairyHill shawl - a one skein project. 

I have, until recently, been a monogamous knitter but I do find I love to have a range of knits going on. The variety seems to make knitting more of a relaxing thing for me. If I only have one project, it seems to consume me and I feel the need to be constantly knitting in a race to finish. Somehow, the multi knitting project approach allows me to dabble into each project or stick with one in any one session. However, it's quite easy to get carried away and end up with too many projects, for me, the balance seems to be a maximum of four (as described above).

I'm hoping to cast on the FairyHill shawl today and I'll share how it's going later in the week.

Thanks for calling in today.

Still Obsessed

Hi Everyone

I'm totally obsessed with Kumihimo ! I thought I'd 'done' Kumihimo for now. However, not so ! I've only scratched the surface (obviously) but I did feel the basics had been covered for an introduction to Kumihimo. The problem is, I keep having new ideas - I've decided, this is a good thing and I'm  going with it !

Here is a quick look at my latest experiments :

                        

The bracelet I'm calling #8 (for now) is made using simple embroidery floss, two strands held together with silver beads threaded onto one of the strands and braided in the usual way. It's very pretty and a surprisingly easy technique. I can see lots of new possibilities for this approach. The double 8 strand embroidery thread produces a solid cord of 5mm or so. I'd like to develop a new braid using lots of different shades of blue thread and adding small seed beads in a similar range of blues, covering the whole braid.

                        

My second new braid is my first experiment with 'flat' braiding. Flat braids are produced by using a different weaving pattern. I used embroidery thread again, in a single 8 strand braid. The resulting braid is very small but quite pretty. I used three different colours, orange, yellow and lime green. I'm thinking about adding lots of charms to this braid. I will make some simple bead charms and also incorporate a few silver charms along the length of the braid.

My next move is to develop the idea inspired from the silver #8 bracelet and the charms for the flat braid. I'll look forward to sharing my results when I have something. I'm hoping to do a big photo shoot with all my Kumihimo work to date later this week, although - I'm not ruling out more experiments.

Thanks for calling in today.

More Kumihimo Ideas

Hi Everyone

I'm still not quite finished with Kumihimo experiments. Ive spent some time developing another couple of ideas for workshop samples over the last few days.

                              

The blue bracelet (top) has four different types of thread combined to form the braid. The resulting braid is varied in colour and texture. The main idea here was to provide an opportunity to include different sized beads into the bracelet. Smaller beads have smaller holes so the thread weight is key to including a specific sized bead. I've also added a cute bee charm to the blue bracelet and chunky findings. I love the blue/green colours of the beads and will look forward to wearing this bracelet myself. Blue, is my favourite colour.

The second bracelet with Antique Bronze findings has turned out well too. I've given the bracelet 'clusters' of beads along the length with a glimpse of orange in the clusters. The findings are simple on shape, forming a flattened end. The whole effect of the bracelet is very pretty.

I need to add findings to the previous braids in my Kumihimo Collection (read back last week for more details) and I can begin to launch my workshop kits with confidence.

Thanks for calling in today.