See more at Addicted2Troll Beadsandmore.

I’ve updated this pattern with pictures.

Closed:

I enjoy beading so I thought I could figure out how to bead a bracelet from a leather lariat. I have one of the early Pandora leather lariats. Mine is quite short, maybe 18-20 inch. Now they make it 36 inches, which is what they should have done in the first place.

Anyway, consequently I didn’t wear it much because I generally like my necklaces to fall longer. I have on occasion worn two lariats together to get the length.

I noticed in one of the Pandora brochures, they showed the lariat as a bracelet, doubled, but they only had one bead on it. Consequently they didn’t need to worry about a number of beads sliding together.

I WANTED THE BEADS TO STAY IN PLACE, not float into each other.
FIRST ATTEMPT
In my first attempt, I knotted between stations and only went around once. This works good too.

SECOND ATTEMPT
I thought I’d see what I could come up with using some of the ideas I’ve seen elsewhere.

DIRECTIONS:
Take your leather cord and double it. (It can be just cord you buy, not a finished necklace as I had to work with.)

Knot the end where the silver ends are (or where your cord has the cut ends.)

Pass the doubled end through your beads.

THIS IS WHAT I FIGURED OUT BY DEFAULT.
You will be passing the doubled end through the beads a second time. Some of mine didn’t have a big enough hole. When I figured that out, I staggered my beads so that the ones that wouldn’t pass through twice were in stations by themselves, so that the cords passes through 3 or so a single time, then passes through 3 or so doubled, then 3 or so singled, etc.

THE BEADS STAY IN STATIONS
The result is that the beads stay in stations and do not fall into each other when you wear it.

THE CLASP:
After you have gone around the bracelet twice (with some only once) make a knot about 1/2 inch down from the doubled end. This becomes your clasp that you pass over the knot at the other end (which is now at the same place on your bracelet.)

To take it off, take the loop off the knot, and loosen the bracelet enough to get it off your wrist.

Open

To put it on, put the bracelet on your wrist, tighten it, pass the loop over the knot, spread out the stations and they stay all day.

ALTERNATIVE CLASP:
Attach the two ends with a Troll Clasp or other similar clasp — or one you make yourself, which I have also done.

Here’s what it looks like on:

Let me know if you try it.

Enjoy!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-29 13:03:01.

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How it began
Perhaps you’ve heard of the church that gave out rubber bracelets with the words No complaint. The idea was to wear the bracelet on one wrist, moving it to the other when you caught yourself complaining, with the hope of going 21 days without complaints. I’m not sure, if this was only for expressed complaints or included complaints in thought, but unexpressed to others.

They offered these bracelets to others for a donation. Later they added a charge for them.

My little complaint — sorry! — is that I ordered some bracelets for myself and a few friends which were never grandfathered in, so I never received them. I thought it would be a good exercise for us.

Prone to complaining
Some personality types seem more prone to chronic complaining. It’s not easy to be the person thinking complaints all the time or the one around them.

For the most part I try not to complain — perhaps I do more of it than I think!

I knew someone who would express negatives, then say, “I’m not complaining; I’m explaining!” However, it was voiced just the same.

Habit of complaining
The habit of complaining can be routed out of ourselves, sometimes with difficulty, if we desire it to be and are willing to work — and sometimes pray — toward it.

We can leave the negatives of our personality type behind and pick up the positives from other personality types as we become more Christlike.

Is complaining ever a good thing?
It’s hard to know what part of complaining is a good thing. It’s almost a truism that progress comes when complaint turns to action. If we were always satisfied with the status quo, we’d still have gas lights and live in caves.

Yet complaining for the sake of complaining, or being in the habit of complaint, works to suck the joy out of the very air around us — and out of the consciousness of those around us who might most need a little boost, not something to drag them down.

If our complaining doesn’t add up to our own happiness or the happiness of those around us, then it is time to be free(r) of it.

I venture to say that nearly everyone has a joy-sucker in their life — it isn’t always a person, it can be a situation — but hopefully we are not adding to the negatives!

Gratitude is riches
There’s a hymn with the words:

Our gratitude is riches, complaint is poverty. Vivian Burnett

It’s something to contemplate: that every bit of gratitude or appreciation expressed or even thought — no matter how small — adds to the riches of ourselves and those around us.

And then, the reverse: that every time we complain for the sake of complaining it depletes us in some way — or perhaps even worse, shows up on our face — ouch!

We would be less quick to complain about vexing situations, without some action following it that might bring change, if we would just catch ourselves with these reminders.

My bracelet
I thought about making a bracelet with the words No complaint, but for me, I wanted a positive reminder of what I hope to bring.

I was playing around with alphabet beads to see what letters I had to work with. It isn’t necessary to put much money into making a bracelet like these. I made two bracelets that I alternate wearing. If I find I really enjoy them, I will remake them in silver beads. I added crystals and carved beads to make them more interesting.

Create-Imagine-Appreciate

Bring Joy-Love-Pax

What do you do if you find yourself chronically complaining? What do you want to bring to situations? How do you keep resentments and complaints from sizzling?

Karin

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Trendsetter Dune is a gorgeous yarn. It is a multicolor mohair blend with slight metallic sheen. I have made several colors in this style. Each color is as beautiful as the next.

If you are sensitive to wool, this might irritate your fingers a little as you work on it. Just alternate what you are working on.

You can see how it drapes at the neck. It can be worn inside a coat, giving a flash of color if you choose a bright or deep color, at the neckline. Or it can be worn alone. It drapes on the bias, like the Waikiki poncho. Wearing the fringe at the shoulder brings the point approximately mid-center. It hangs just below your waist, so it isn’t long and bulky. Alternatively you can wear the fringe at the mid front or at the mid back. Then it looks more like a shawl.

It is warm, but not too warm. There is some wool in the yarn.

Dune Mini Poncho Easy. Easy to finish.
I love the fact that to finish there is little to do.
3 skeins of Dune, used to the last inch. Approx $15/skein.
35 stitches on size 13 needles.

Knit every row. Slip the first stitch of every row, except the first. Bind off very loosely. if there is any yarn left, cut additional pieces as follows. From the last skein, cut 12 pieces of yarn, winding around the short edge of a DVD case.

To finish: Like the Waikiki Poncho, fold the knitted fabric in half. Starting at the outside edge of what will be the shoulder, use 3 pieces of yarn each to make fringe equal-distant up the shoulder. Pull the strands through to the midpoint, then use a single knot, so the shoulder holds together. Of course, you are leaving room for the neck.

Wear and enjoy!

Karin

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One of my all time favorite patterns
This is not your mother’s poncho. This poncho rocks! It has a lovely drape, as it hangs on the bias and feels wonderful against your skin. Because it drapes on the bias, it stretches a bit longer. It is more like a shawl or a wrap, but you don’t have to wrap it.

Waikiki has a wonderful hand to it, almost spongy. Knitting it is nice on your hands, and it just makes you happy as you work on it. I almost wished it wouldn’t be finished, so I could continue to knit with it. I enjoyed knitting it so much that I made it in several colors. It’s light weight, but still warm.

I saw this design displayed in the yarn shop and fell in love with it. When I bought the yarn, they verbally gave me the pattern.

I don’t know that Anne Norling originated this pattern. But her picture looks very much like mine.

Waikiki Poncho Easy to knit
Do not substitute the yarn.
Waikiki is a glorious yarn and this poncho is made for it.
Size 11 US needles. 75 stitches.

Knit every row, slipping the first stitch of every row as if to knit, except the first row.

On the last skein, measure out approximately 3 strands for every fringe you will be making. Wrap around a DVD case to get the length. Make enough for about 5-6. Continue to knit to the very end of the skein, reserving enough to bind off loosely. If there is any yarn left, use it in extra fringes.

To finish: fold knitted fabric in half. Secure fringe along one long folded edge (not the edges you cast on or bound off) for the shoulder. Pull strands through equally, then tie in a single knot. (You are not making fringe as per usual.) This secures the shoulder and it won’t pull out. Start at the outside edge, space the fringe equally up the shoulder to the point where you want to stop.

As you wear it, the fabric falls on the bias with a lovely draping.

Block by dampening and laying out to dry. It doesn’t matter if it is still a bit crinkly as it still drapes well and looks very nice. You could iron it with a warm — not hot — iron, but I didn’t see the need.

Have you made this poncho? Please let me know if you do, and what color you make it in.

Karin

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There are many good ways to clean out your stash. Here are some ideas for left over yarns:

Try not to buy too much or too far ahead
This is easier said than done when you are in a knitting mode — and if there are good sales.

Give them away
Donate them to a church or to an elder center. Many of the churches make crafts to sell in their annual yard sales.

If they are appropriate yarn, find out who knits caps for the neonatal unit. They also need yarn.

Trade or sell them
Sites such as Ravelry have trading sections. Ebay is also a source.

Make something with them
Knit a sweater, vest, hat, scarf with two strands of yarn.
One is a full skein (or not) which you will carry through the whole piece (alternatively you can use partial skeins for this too), the other strand is one of the left over yarns that you will be knitting, but before you get to the end of the partial skein, add a third partial skein yarn. Continue this pattern until you are done. When you add another skein before you are finished, there are no sharp edges to the change of yarn. In a few days I will share a sweater that was done with this method. I generally knot the yarn in as I go, keeping the knot to the back of the fabric.

This is very workable, depending on what sorts of yarns you have. There is even a very expensive skein of yarn Prism’s Wild Stuff that is made in this fashion, by tying into the skein various yarns with different textures. It is gorgeous stuff, but it has some wool in it.

Wild Stuff is composed of 30-40 different hand dyed, gauge coordinated yarns. They are tied together end to end by hand, so that as you knit the texture and colors are always changing. Wild Stuff has a lot of eyelash, metallic, and other highly textured yarns. Wild Stuff has some wool, kid mohair and other animal fibers in it. Like all Stuffs, a larger needle can be used for a more open fabric in ponchos, wraps and scarves. We have successfully worked on as large as a #11 needle.

Here’s an article about making a magic ball by knotting your own.

Here’s a project I made:
I knitted a jacket out of the underlying yarn. I bought an entire bag of the yarn because I wasn’t sure how much I would need for the sweater pattern, as I knew I was going to make it longer. That meant I ended up with some left over and the yarn was too pretty and too expensive to let waste.

I didn’t want a scarf to be identical, but I wanted it to be wearable together. This way I also have a option to give it as a gift.

I carried a bright lilac eyelash along with the sweater yarn, “>Crystal Palace Party yarn in Celebration, which is a very silky ribbon yarn.

Knit every row. Bind off loosely. Slip the first stitch of every row as if to knit, except for the first row. Figure out how wide you want your scarf to be. That will determine the number of stitches.

I had to rip out a couple of starting rows until I got the right number. It was going to be way too wide. I try to knit on needles that are size 13 or above, just because it knits up fast.

Karin

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You can find a multitude of free purse patterns online, and if you are in the mood for a knitted (or crocheted) purse, look at Lion Brand to start. Pick and yarn and go for it. Ravelry is another good site for ideas.

Sunburst Sling Bag by Jill Vosburg
I first saw this purse in a local yarn shop. The yarn is beautiful. It has gorgeous flashes of color at varying nubbiness — made from recycled silk saris, fairly traded, from Nepal. It is a little harsh on the fingers, but not too bad.

I should line the bag, but I have not done it yet.

Level of difficulty: medium to difficult
It was a little hard to figure out the pattern, but I didn’t need to ask for help. I am an accomplished knitter (and crocheter) but had never knit a pattern like this. I found the challenge intriguing, simply to learn a new style.

Cost
Expensive. The yarn runs about $18/skein for 10 g. I think I bought two skeins.

It was unclear which size purse the yarn would make without needing more yarn and without having a lot left over. I fudged a bit on the strap, and used it up to the last inch. I think I made the medium size.

You can find information on the pattern and other patterns by the same designer here. She has some very beautiful and different patterns. I bought several, but this is the only one I’ve made up so far.

Have you made anything of hers?

Have you ever made a purse?

Karin

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This pattern comes from Shirley. The pattern was given to her verbally, so she’s given me permission to share it with you all. I have not made it, but this one is particularly nice!

Isn’t this gorgeous!

This is the easy ruffle scarf pattern.

Size 7 (4mm) needles approx 4oz of soft worsted acrylic yarn.

I use TLC Amore. (6oz 278 yds) Mine is approx 60 inches long.
Someone had given me a skein of so that’s what I used for the first one, you can buy it in Hobby Lobby, if there’s a store nearby. I used just under one skein and found the yarn soft so the scarf would hang nicely.

But any yarn that is soft and supple will make the scarf hang nicely.
A friend made the same scarf from baby yarn, she used two strands of two colours.

Cast on 20 stitches.

row 1. * Knit 8, then turn around and knit 8 back to beginning.
row 2. Knit 6, then turn around and knit 6 back to beginning.
row 3. Knit 4, then turn around and knit 4 back to beginning.
row 4. Knit 20 stitches all the way across. *
row 5. Repeat from * to *

Continue these 5 rows until scarf is desired length. Bind off loosely.

When you begin to knit the first few rows your work becomes an odd shape and you may think you’ve made a mistake, but continue and you’ll begin to see the ruffles begin to form.

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Here’s a scarf I made in three different colors last year:

This is Baby Alpaca Grande yarn, very soft.
Baby Alpaca Grande 110 yds $15

I find it a bit itchy, but not much. I live in a generally hot climate, so I only wear on the coldest days.

This one is a little more complicated to do and the yarn is expensive. I used only one skein for each scarf.

Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult
For an accomplished knitter, this is easy; for a new knitter, watch out for the row counts. Once the pattern is established it is easy to see.

Finished length ~ 4.5 X 60 inches

Cast on 16 st size 15 needles
No fringe.

Pattern is as follows:
K2, P4, K4, P4, K2

Reverse pattern is:
K2, K4, P4, K4, K2

Keeping the K2 along the edge all the time (this keeps the edge straight and it doesn’t curl)(except slip the first stitch in knit direction for each row after the first row — this keeps it smooth along the edge), work 4 rows and reverse the pattern; work 4 rows and reverse the pattern.

In other words, for the checkerboard pattern, you K over K and you P over P, then you reverse and do K over P and P over K (for the first row, then the next row is as the beginning, K over K and P over P), it reverses the stitch and makes it look like a checker board.

Bind off loosely.

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I haven’t done any beading in a month or so. Life just gets in the way and moreso over the last few weeks than usually.

But I came across a quote that I felt I wanted front and center right now:

…grace notes of happiness. Alexandra Stoddard

So after an appointment yesterday that took me into the neck of the woods of one of our beading stores, I dropped in and picked up small sterling silver block letters. Between the words I put Capri blue Swarovski crystals nestled between the little square shaped pave on all four sides crystals, and at the back to make it fit, a few more of the blue and a larger square not quite citrine looking AB crystal. They are strung on elastic, very easy to slip on, and voila! I have the words before me. And the blue makes me happy.

I think it’s important when life gets in the way to recognize those grace notes of happiness that occur in all of our lives, if we keep our eyes and heart open to see them. They truly are grace notes.

Karin

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