Savvy Thinker » Pattern http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Tue, 22 May 2012 15:37:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Beading: Grace Notes of Happiness http://savvythinker.com/beading-grace-notes-of-happiness/ http://savvythinker.com/beading-grace-notes-of-happiness/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:45:10 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/04/20/beading-again/
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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.

    Photobucket

    Karin

    Originally posted 2007-04-20 09:25:06.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/beading-grace-notes-of-happiness/feed/ 0     Scarf with cables and open work (YOs) with pattern http://savvythinker.com/scarf-with-cables-and-open-work-yos-with-pattern/ http://savvythinker.com/scarf-with-cables-and-open-work-yos-with-pattern/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:18:15 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=8095
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    • ]]>

    I had only one skein of Ritratto, 198 yards, and had to figure out what to do with it. It is very pretty worked up. The other dye lots had more gold in them, so I couldn't use them. Color 14

    As you can see, it is a work in progress, and I changed the pattern part way (and like it better) so I will either shirr the early part or embroider it or just fold it under. I didn't feel like ripping it out.

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Size 10 needles, cast on 25 stitches. [If you are using worsted weight yarn, switch to bigger needles and likely 7 rows between cables.]

    Every row: Slip first stitch as if to knit. K1. [2 stitches] end with K2. This keeps the edges from curling.

    Row 1 K2, P2, K4, P2, K5, P2, K4, P2, K2.
    Row 2 K entire row.

    Row 3 K2, P2, K4, P2, K5, P2, K4, P2, K2.
    Row 4 K4, P4, K9, P4, K4.

    Begin pattern for openwork. Over 4 rows, alternate the openwork to stagger the holes.
    Row 5, K2, P2, K4, P2, [openwork K1, YO, K2 Tog, YO K2 tog], P2, K4, P2, K2.
    Row 6 (and all even rows) K4, P4, K9, P4, K4.
    Row 7 (cable row) and openwork
    K2, P2, [over next 4 stitches: skip 1st two, knit next 2 but don't take off needle; K first two, slip all 4 off needles] [do this for all cables][next openwork which staggers the holes: YO, K2 Tog; YO, K2 Tog; K1] P2, [do cable on cable rows or K4 when not a cable row], P2, K2.
    Row 8 repeat row 6.

    Either every 5th or every 7th row, do cables, depending on how close you want the cables together, and the weight of the yarn you are using.

    Be sure to check the count of your stitches often, so you don't either gain or lose a stitch.

    Following pattern of first two rows, end last two rows and bind off loosely in pattern.

    Make it as long as you like. Block when finished.

    Karin
    www.savvythinker.com


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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/scarf-with-cables-and-open-work-yos-with-pattern/feed/ 0     Dune Mini Poncho http://savvythinker.com/dune-mini-poncho/ http://savvythinker.com/dune-mini-poncho/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:50:31 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2258
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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.

    Photobucket

    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
    www.savvythinker.com


    Originally posted 2009-03-25 10:04:12.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/dune-mini-poncho/feed/ 0     Directions:Making a Troll Bead type bracelet from a leather lariat or cord http://savvythinker.com/directions-making-a-troll-bead-typea-type-bracelet-from-a-leather-lariat-or-cord/ http://savvythinker.com/directions-making-a-troll-bead-typea-type-bracelet-from-a-leather-lariat-or-cord/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:10:43 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3568
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    • ]]>

    See more at http:www.addicted2beads.ning.com

    I've updated this pattern with pictures.

    Closed:
    Photobucket

    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
    Photobucket

    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:
    Photobucket

    Let me know if you try it.

    Enjoy!

    Karin
    www.savvythinker.com

    Pandora Silver Charm - Two-Tone Heart Padlock with little Key and Chain #790288 Pandora Silver Charm - Two-Tone Heart Padlock with little Key and Chain #790288 Paypal 6 Bids US $51.01 17m
    Authentic Pandora sterling silver Suitcase luggage charm 790362 bead Authentic Pandora sterling silver Suitcase luggage charm 790362 bead Paypal 15 Bids US $22.76 19m
    Authentic Pandora Bracelet ~Silver Lobster Claw~ **Gwendalyn** Authentic Pandora Bracelet ~Silver Lobster Claw~ **Gwendalyn** Paypal 0 Bid US $159.00 27m
    Authentic Pandora SS Green Ladybug Bead #790653 Authentic Pandora SS Green Ladybug Bead #790653 Paypal 16 Bids US $20.50 31m
    New 5 Clip Pandora Bracelet with Two Sterling Silver clips New 5 Clip Pandora Bracelet with Two Sterling Silver clips Paypal US $160.00 34m
    Pandora Key To My Heart Charm Pandora Key To My Heart Charm Paypal 3 Bids US $31.00 36m
    Authentic Pandora Silver & Gem Blooming Rose Charm 790575ccz with champagn CZ's Authentic Pandora Silver & Gem Blooming Rose Charm 790575ccz with champagn CZ's Paypal US $45.00 50m
    Beautiful Pandora Bracelet with Murano Glass Beads, Swarkowski Crystals 925 Silv Beautiful Pandora Bracelet with Murano Glass Beads, Swarkowski Crystals 925 Silv Paypal US $135.00 51m
    Retired Authentic Pandora ALE Sterling Silver Orange Butterfly Enamel Charm/Bead Retired Authentic Pandora ALE Sterling Silver Orange Butterfly Enamel Charm/Bead Paypal US $69.99 51m
    Authentic Pandora ALE Sterling Silver/925 Heart Dangle Charm/Bead Authentic Pandora ALE Sterling Silver/925 Heart Dangle Charm/Bead Paypal US $44.99 52m


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

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/directions-making-a-troll-bead-typea-type-bracelet-from-a-leather-lariat-or-cord/feed/ 2     Easy Ruffled Scarf Pattern http://savvythinker.com/easy-ruffled-scarf-pattern/ http://savvythinker.com/easy-ruffled-scarf-pattern/#comments Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:18:52 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=1574
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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!

    Photobucket

    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 it 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
    Row 2: turn around and knit 8 back to beginning.
    Row 3. Knit 6, then
    Row 4: turn around and knit 6 back to beginning.
    Row 5. Knit 4, then
    Row 6: turn around and knit 4 back to beginning.
    Row 7. Knit 20 stitches all the way across. *
    Repeat from * to * until desired length. Bind off loosely. Ruffles form in a few inches.

    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. [I found it took several inches for it to form up.]

    Edited 11-2-2011 to add from Marcia:

    For the person who wanted to make this scarf narrower, I made it for my granddaughters casting on 16 stitches instead of 20. You then knit 6, turn and knit the 6 stitches back. You then knit 4, turn and knit the 4 stitches back. You then knit 2, turn and knit the 2 stitches back. Knit across entire row.

    This came out great, and now I even do the 16 stitches instead of 20 even for adults. It works up quite faster.

    You can find other pictures here: http://savvythinker.com/category/arts/crafts/knitting/ruffled-scarf/

    If you send me a picture of your completed scarf, I will post the picture on my blog -- thanks! Send the picture to karin@savvythinker.com

    Karin
    www.savvythinker.com

    Originally posted 2009-03-08 22:59:50.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/easy-ruffled-scarf-pattern/feed/ 28     Baby Alpaca Grande scarf pattern http://savvythinker.com/baby-alpaca-grande-scarf-pattern/ http://savvythinker.com/baby-alpaca-grande-scarf-pattern/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:50:46 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=1476
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    Here's a scarf I made in three different colors last year:

    Photobucket

    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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    Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Hand Dye 2x100g Hand Dyed Bulky Yarn 15 color choice Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Hand Dye 2x100g Hand Dyed Bulky Yarn 15 color choice Paypal US $23.00 1d 5h 12m

    Originally posted 2009-03-08 10:20:16.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/baby-alpaca-grande-scarf-pattern/feed/ 0     Crystal Palace Waikiki Bias Draped Poncho http://savvythinker.com/crystal-palace-waikiki-bias-draped-poncho/ http://savvythinker.com/crystal-palace-waikiki-bias-draped-poncho/#comments Sun, 16 May 2010 05:03:10 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2201
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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. (The right kind of boucle also works, as I've done with with some cotton that I had.)
    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 double knot. (A single knot will pull through when you wear it, so knot it a second time.) (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
    www.savvythinker.com


    Originally posted 2009-03-24 13:01:54.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/crystal-palace-waikiki-bias-draped-poncho/feed/ 0     Using up left over yarns — using your stash http://savvythinker.com/using-up-left-over-yarns-using-your-stash/ http://savvythinker.com/using-up-left-over-yarns-using-your-stash/#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:53:45 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2014
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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.

    Eyelash mix2

    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
    www.savvythinker.com

    Party by Crystal Palace Novelty Ribbon Yarns ♥♥ 7 Colors to Choose from ♥♥ Party by Crystal Palace Novelty Ribbon Yarns ♥♥ 7 Colors to Choose from ♥♥ Paypal US $4.00 1d 6h 35m
    Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn PURPLE DAYS #411 - 2 -1/2 Skeins Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn PURPLE DAYS #411 - 2 -1/2 Skeins Paypal US $9.99 5d 10h 40m
    Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn NASTURSIUMS #413 - 2-3/4 SKEINS Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn NASTURSIUMS #413 - 2-3/4 SKEINS Paypal US $11.99 5d 10h 51m
    Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn BABY BLUES #2302 - TWO (2) Skeins Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn BABY BLUES #2302 - TWO (2) Skeins Paypal US $7.99 5d 11h 33m
    Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon arn in LILAC PINK #217 - TWO Skeins MORE AVAILABLE Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon arn in LILAC PINK #217 - TWO Skeins MORE AVAILABLE Paypal US $7.99 5d 11h 57m
    Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn FIREDANCE #410 - TWO (2) Skeins Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn FIREDANCE #410 - TWO (2) Skeins Paypal US $7.99 5d 18h 12m
    Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn FIREDANCE #410 - ONE + 1.8 oz (3/4) Skein Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon Yarn FIREDANCE #410 - ONE + 1.8 oz (3/4) Skein Paypal US $6.99 5d 18h 17m
    Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon arn in LILAC PINK #217 - ONE (1) Skein Crystal Palace PARTY Ribbon arn in LILAC PINK #217 - ONE (1) Skein Paypal US $4.25 5d 19h 44m
    Crystal Palace Yarn Party Sandstorm 406 Crystal Palace Yarn Party Sandstorm 406 Paypal US $5.77 8d 16h 35m
    Crystal Palace Yarn Party Imperial Blue 210 Crystal Palace Yarn Party Imperial Blue 210 Paypal US $5.77 8d 16h 35m


    Originally posted 2009-03-20 07:50:56.

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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/using-up-left-over-yarns-using-your-stash/feed/ 0     Working out of complaints http://savvythinker.com/working-out-of-complaints/ http://savvythinker.com/working-out-of-complaints/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:20:31 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3653
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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
    img_2160

    Bring Joy-Love-Pax
    img_2161

    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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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/working-out-of-complaints/feed/ 4     Knitting a purse out of recycled silk http://savvythinker.com/knitting-a-purse-out-of-recycled-silk/ http://savvythinker.com/knitting-a-purse-out-of-recycled-silk/#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:28:36 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=1819
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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.

    Photobucket

    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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    ]]>     http://savvythinker.com/knitting-a-purse-out-of-recycled-silk/feed/ 0