Knitting for Baby and Beading for me

Hi I am sorry I have not been here for awhile, I have been busy knitting and taking beading classes.
I just finished a baby sweater, size 6 months, I used a beautiful multi colored wool, and I found really pretty shell buttons for the sweater. The yarn was called Galway Paint from Plymouth Yarn Co. I got the yarn at A Garden of Yarn, in Old Ridge Village. Two balls of yarn was just right, with some left over to make a hat. The buttons at Joanns, of course. That store has the best buttons. They also have a new line of glass buttons, perfect for beaded bracelets. I gave the sweater to Andrea, from Buttercup Beads, and she will display it in the shop.

At our monthly meeting for the Main Line Bead Society, we learned Square stitch. It is a beautiful stitch, but it sure uses a lot of beading thread. Last month, we learned brick stitch. Peyote stitch is my favorite, I must have a bracelet in every color.

I took a bead weaving class at the Bead Garden in Havertown, It was a lot of fun. Danni was the teacher and we all finished our necklaces in class, and I made two more soon after. My husband said it was the nicest necklace he has seen me make. I don't know about that, I don't think he looks at me much.

My friend, Carol, tried to teach me 6 in 1 Persion chain malle. Tried is the right word, I must be really dense lately I could not get it. Well with her help, I have enough done to make a bracelet, instead of the necklace we were going for. So That is what I am making. The pattern is really beautiful, and will make a really cool bracelet. And I will not try that again. Sometimes you just know that something is not right for you, like double knitting, I tried that and never will again.

The Bead Garden has a bead soiree the last Friday of the month. Everyone brings a snack or drink to share and we sit around and bead, sometimes we have a free class too. Why not join our Bead Society and get in on the fun we have, we also get a discount on any beads, wire, etc, we buy. This past Friday, we had a free class on an illusion necklace, that turned out so beautiful. If you stop in the store, they have one on display. Check it out.

I just signed up for a loom class at the Bead Celler in New Jersey. I have had a loom for 3 years and don't know how to even start to weave on it. So I hope this class will get me started. The Bead Celler has the best seed beads, lots of great colors and sizes.
So I will let you know how I make out with my loom. Check out The Bead Celler in New Jersey, The Bead Garden In Havertown, PA and A Garden of Yarn at Old Ridge Village on 202.
Happy beading and knitting to. Judy

Beading and Knitting Again

Well I finally finished my little felted purses. I gave a blue one to my niece, Brooke for Christmas. I also made her a silver bracelet and I put it into the purse. She loved it. The second one I made I needle felted a flower on to the front, I also line each purse with something fun, this time it was hot pink with polka dots of lots of color. For my friend, I beaded a denim jacket, with several sizes of silver beads I made stars all over the back. I also made several pieces of jewelry for my daughter, Alex. I started to knit a hat of red and white stripes with lion brand wool ease. I found out that I hate that yarn, It does not knit up nice and I threw it out. The only yarn I like from Lion brand is their fun fur. I have knitted lots of scarfs with the fun fur. I also made a nice cape for myself with fun fur with a thick and quick lining, a few years ago, and I wore it to a wedding. I love beading peyote stitch, I just made a green bracelet and I am working on a blue one, Last week, I made two black and white peyote bracelets, but I did not finish either one. Every knitter and beader have many unfinished projects, don't we? Last week I visited Buttercup Beads 2151 E High Street, Pottstown, PA 484 524 9231 It is a new store, that sells lovely beads and some finished jewelry. The shop is beautiful, very large and with lots of beads, good prices and the staff is friendly and helpful. Check it out when you are in the area. They also have a web site wwwbuttercupbeads.com. I finished my Metal working class right before Christmas. I loved the class, it was at the Main Line Arts Center and my teacher was Dawn. I made a few silver rings and I love them. So my Christmas presents this year were: A jewelers saw and lots of blades (they break really easy), I also got silver shot, so I can tumble my silver, some silver tubing so I can rivet some things, a pickel pot and some pickel, some sodier and flux. I am just about set up to start metal working at home. My husband also got me a really nice vise and fixed my old desk to be my workbench. Now I need a better light in the room so I can see what I am doing. And the time to start working. Well check out buttercupbeads, The main line Beads society, and The main line arts center. Until next time.......

Beading on Vacation

I just got back from Grasey Key, Florida. It was beautiful. We were 7 couples, 14 people, and we had a fantastic time. I did take some beads and tools. You have to put them in your checked luggage, not in your carry on.

While I was there, I knitted a beaded bracelet. I used Polyester Metallic thread from Kreinik. I strung all the beads onto the thread and knitted every row. I row, plain knit, the next row, knit 1, place a bead every stitch. It worked up fast. When I was finished, before the clasp, I tried it on and IT HURTS. I hate jewelry that hurts, it is scratchy, and stretches too much.
I got the kit (beads, thread, clasp, and instructions) You supply size 0 knitting needles, from EarthFaire.com. It was called "Bead Soup bracelet" The beads were nice and the clasp was sterling, but I did not like the metallic tread. I will probably take it apart and knit it on smooth yarn. It was amazing I finished anything we were drinking a lot. We were in the pool a lot too.

We took a trip to Key West. I had the address of 2 bead stores. We walked 5 blocks to the first one, it had a sign outside and no shop. Then we walked 7 more blocks to the 2nd one and found out that they had moved, so we went to the new location, and they were closed. Bummer. I did not get to buy any new beads. But closer to where we were staying was a thrift store, and I found a few things to take apart and make new jewelry.

I made a peyote bracelet from size 8 beads, very pretty I love that stitch.

I am selling a few teapots on ebay, also some jewelry. With mixed results. I do not have room to display all my teapots (I have lots) so I am trying to sell some.

I am also making a lot of jewelry for two craft fairs in Nov/Dec. I started a fringe bracelet with size 11 beads, in two nights of beading I finished 1 inch. This will be a long project, but I do like to finish things, so I will keep trying. If you are a typical beader or knitter, you have lots of 1/2 done projects. UFO"S We have them stashed all over.

I am taking a metal working class at the Main Line Art School. We have a great teacher, Dawn, and I am learning a lot. We made a silver ring. Really nice.
I was planning to go to Prague next week, but is too expensive and I would miss a few things I already planned. My daughter, Alex, is in Prague for a month, working. I miss her, but she will be home soon.
One of my friends is opening a bead shop, I will tell you about it when it opens.
Check out Earthfaire.com and happy beading and knitting.

Knitting and some beading

Now I am knitting again , I just finished a really cute sweater for my niece, Stella. I used Blossom yarn in a hot pink color from Trendsetter yarns. And I embellished the sweater with some really cool ribbon yarn also from Trendsetter. Blossom yarn is soft and it knitted up beautifully. This is a gift for Stella's 2nd birthday, she wears a size 2 but I made a size 4 so she can wear it for a long time.
When Stella was born, I made her a few little sweaters and hats, and lots of little pink jewelry.
I also made her a bracelet with her name on it.
I have also been knitting a 100% wool yarn to felt and make a cute little purse. I finished knitting the purse, but I still have to felt it and line it and choose a button for it, so I still have a long way to go.
It is such a pleasure to be knitting again. When I started making jewelry, my husband, Mark, said "Oh good now you can get rid of all that yarn." AS IF. He did not understand that I just added beads and did not subtract any other craft. The other night I was in the living room, knitting, and I asked Mark if he noticed. He said "no you are always doing something over there so I did not pay any attention. How do you like that?
Mark makes custom made fishing rods, very nice ones, and I always notice.
I am also making lots of jewelry, I am in a craft show in Clifton Heights, PA on Saturday.
I just started a new internet business. Judydreamstore.com Check it out, I have great items from Target, Toys R US. Amazon, and Mighty GPS. Happy beading, knitting and try needle felting, I will talk about that another time. Judy

Beads and Clay

Hi again. I have been knitting for 24 years and I love it, but beads are my newest passion.

Lately, I have been trying Polimer Clay. This week I made 8 buttons out of clay, to use on my beaded bracelets. I worked on them for about 2 hours, I mixed great colors and made beautiful buttons. You have to cook clay to set it, so I put the buttons in a toaster oven I found in my attic. Big Mistake. In about 5 minutes the buttons were burnt to a crisp. Bummer. The entire house was full of toxic smoke. I was really mad for a few minutes, but I learned a few things, one is to put the toaster oven (a new one) outside and watch it cook them more closely. Oh and buttons are cheep at the Joann's stores.

I am a member of the Main Line Bead Society, I am the membership director. The Society has 189 members and we have a great time together. This month we are making "Pink Jewelry" to donate to Breast Cancer centers .October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Check out our society at Mainlinebeadsociety.org

We also get great discounts at local bead shops.
My favorite bead shops are: The Bead Garden in Havertown, PA 610 449 2699
The Bead Cellar in New Jersey, 856 665 4744
U Bead 2, in Wayne, PA 610 688 8842

I also buy beads on line. Anybeads.com has great crystals at a good price.
Also check Ebay, nice beads you can bid on and hopefully get a bargain..
Urbanmaille.com has sterling silver jump rings in all sizes.

For free knitting patterns try about knitting.com
For free beading projects try about beading.com

Happy Beading and Knitting. Try Knitting with Beads.

The Difference Between Knitting and Crocheting

What is the difference between knitting and crocheting? Is one technique superior to the other?

The most obvious difference between knitting and crocheting is that with knitting, you work with two needles. When you crochet, you simply use one hook. You'll most often see articles of clothing produced by knitting, while more decorative home decor pieces are usually produced by crocheting. However, these types of results are not mutually exclusive to either knitting or crocheting. It certainly doesn't mean that you can't crochet a sweater or knit a doily.

The biggest advantage of crocheting is that there is only one hook to keep up with. With crocheting, you may have to learn how to create different kinds of stitches to achieve certain looks, but knitting is more about unique combinations of two types of stitches (purl and knit).

Fans of knitting or crocheting may tell you that their way is easier, more fashionable or more versatile, but it really depends on your own personal preference. It's a good idea to give both a try and see which technique suits you. Find a good teacher if you can, or buddy-up with someone who is already a proficient knitter or crocheter who can give you pointers. Many people find it difficult if not downright impossible to become proficient on their own.

Knitting or crocheting is a cost-effective way of creating your own beautiful clothes or decorative items. Certain kinds of threads can be expensive, but you'll find that in the end you'll pay far less for the end result than you would if you bought it at the store. It can also relieve stress and help clear your mind. And most of all, its fun.