Earring Experiments

Hi Everyone 

Today’s post is an experiment with earrings. I’ve been developing polymer beads/components and adding enamel to the surface. I’ve had mixed results but those that have worked are great. My plan is to add a silver jump ring to attach both pieces together and a silver post or half hoop for the ear connection. I’ll experiment with both styles of ear attachment and choose the best look for me.

          

I love the colours. The smokey blue and teal colours work so well together.

Small earrings are usually my thing and these are not that small, however I think they will work fine with fine silver elements. I’ll make the silver rings and ear attachments with 0.8mm silver wire. I’ve decided the jump rings should be slightly oval in shape, I’m hoping this will keep the finished items compact and give the bottom bead slightly limited movement. I’ll share the finished items next week. 
Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with more Making stories.

The Advent Project 2019

Hi Everyone 

A few days ago, I mentioned preparing for my 2019 Advent Project. I’ve been putting some thinking time to my plans and have decided to make a pair of socks this year. I’ve searched my sock stash bin and come up with a number of yarns, including some leftovers from previous projects. Here’s a quick look at the pile of yarn I’ve put together. I won’t need all the yarn in my photo story. I’ve decided to use a pair of recently knitted socks as a guide for how much yarn I need. Several pairs of hand knitted socks have been weighed and each comes out at a different number. The highest number seems to to  72gm. I’ve decided to use this as my guide.

          

My sock design will follow a top down approach, I’ll include a scallop cuff, a heel flap with a simple stocking stitch throughout. I’m going to divide my yarn into little balls of around 2/3 gms - this is very small but great for knitting up every day (and completing). I’m going to develop two balls of the same yarn for consecutive days. This will allow me to knit two very similar socks. I’ll cast on two pairs of socks, each on a separate circular needle and repeat the same exercise on each sock for two days. I guess this takes out a certain degree of surprise every other day but I can live with it.

I will add my little balls to mini paper bags with the number of the day on each bag, I did this last year and it was great, so I’ll repeat the same process.

So, I’ve  got my plan and will get the whole thing organised this weekend. I’ll share some images of my Advent Box when it’s ready to go for 1/12/19.

Thanks for calling in today.

New Shawl

Hi Everyone 

I have a new knitted shawl project on my to do list. I’ll probably cast on the shawl later today. I already have have several projects ‘on the go’, however, I’m very keen to get going. This project is part of the 2019 Knitvent from Helen Stewart. The idea is to receive six different knitting patterns over the next couple of months, towards Christmas. Knitvent is an annual thing and each year there is a theme connected to the idea. This year the theme is ‘home’. You can read about Helens Knitvent here along with her other news.

               

I’m using Dovestone natural chunky yarn in shade 3. I’ve chosen to knit the medium size, however, I’m tempted to knit the larger one each time I look at the pattern. I know the shawl will be very cosy and it feels as if I need to go for larger size ? If I do, I will need to acquire another ball of wool, I’m hoping there’s one left in my local yarn shop ? - I know there was only one left in my chosen shade. 

I have a sweater in this yarn and it’s lovely so I know the shawl will be squishy and luxurious. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks for calling in today.

Silver Sample

Hi Everyone 

Today, I’m sharing the Silver Sample for this week. This time it’s a few pairs of ‘button’ stud earrings under construction. 

              

A version of these earrings has a regular place in my workshop. This time, I’ve made the stud buttons from Precious Metal Clay (PMC). I use all kinds of  silver for the stud part of the earrings (as a regular Make) but these particular pieces of fired silver clay are leftover bits from previous jewellery projects  and I’ve been able to hammer, shape and file the leftover pieces into something which is perfect for stud earrings. 

My next job is to solder the posts in place, I’ll also tumble the finished earrings which gives a lovely shine to the stud part. My favourite (from the sample in my photo story) are the studs in the centre. These studs have been domed and shaped; I think, I’d like to keep them for myself.

Thanks for calling in today.

Gift Knitting

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing progress with the last item in this years gift knitting list. I don’t knit many Christmas gifts (usually socks) and I tend to start around October. Each year several people have requested to join the list and after consideration, I decide if they are knitworthy or not. So, my photo story is showing the last pair of socks. I don’t have a pattern as such, it’s several bits of various patterns that have worked for me over the years. I’m using stash yarn, stuff left over from previous socks. All my yarns are West Yorkshire Spinners sock yarn in solid colours. I’m not sure of the names of the colours but they are all in shades of blue and green. The toe and cuff will be blue, the body of the sock is green and the heel a bright teal shade.

             

I’m using a rib pattern for the leg and top of the foot, I find this help with the final fit. These socks are large, size 12 feet ! and the rib helps give a lovely snug fit over the foot while coping well with the very long length of the foot. I’m hoping this pair off socks will be finished by the end of the week.
My next knitting thoughts are all about planning this years Advent Knit. Over the years, I’ve tried lots of different ideas. This year, I’m going to knit socks. I’ll have mini balls of yarn each day (to open) and simply knit whatever comes out, that day. I’ll seek out leftover sock yarn in my stash and choose colours which work together. Generally, 60- 64gm yarn is about the weight of yarn I need to make a pair of socks for me. I will chat about the detail in a week or so, just before December arrives.

Thanks for calling in today.