By special request, Beading Made Easy!

As promised, here's the scoop on beaded knitting, crochet style. I much prefer this method because it saves me from having to string hundreds of beads onto my yarn, a pretty onerous task if ya ask me! Plus it saves wear and tear on the yarn since you don't have to slide all those beads along the length of the yarn as you do with the knitted on method. Lastly, I feel this method "seats" the bead on the knitting better because you place the bead over BOTH legs of the stitch, unlike the knitted on method where sometimes the beads slip to the purl/private side and are difficult to see in the knitted fabric. So let's begin....

Of course, the proper tools are of utmost importance! You need crochet hooks small enough for the bead to slide *over* the hook...and man, that's tiny! I put a dime in the frame for perspective. From top to bottom: #9, #10, #11, #13...the higher the number, the smaller the hook.

Here you can see just how tiny these hooks really are. You can barely discern the hook part from the shaft.


I use seed beads for my knitting. Here are some commonly used sizes with corresponding hooks.

On the bottom we have size 8/0 beads on a #13 hook.This is used for fingering weight yarn.

The middle is size 6/0 beads on a #11 hook. This is used with sport weight yarn. I have used this size on DK and Worsted Weight yarns but it's a pretty tight fit and pretty difficult to get the yarn thru the bead without shreading it.

On top are size 3/0 beads on a size #10 hook. These are the beads I used on Kiri and would fit very comfortably on yarn as thick as Aran weight. Unfortunately, 3/0 beads are pretty hard to find. You can find 5/0 beads much more easily and 5/0's are perfect for up to DK/Worsted Weight.


Now for the "how to" portion of our broadcast....

Step 1: **For this demonstration I used sportweight yarn, size 6/0 seed beads and a size #11 crochet hook**

With the bead loaded on the crochet hook, knit (or purl, if you choose) to the stitch on the left knitting needle where you want to place the bead. Leave the stitch on the needle and lift the stitch with the crochet hook.

Step 2:

With the crochet hook, pull the yarn thru the hole in the bead while, at the same time, sliding the stitch off the left knitting needle.I hold the bead with my left hand while I do this, and the hook in my right. Make sure to get the whole stitch thru the bead.

Step 3:

Return the beaded stitch to the left knitting needle.

Step 4:

Knit the beaded stitch as you normally would, transferring the completed stitch to the right knitting needle.





Step 5:

Knit on as you normally would, placing beads wherever you choose.
And there you have it....real tough, hmmm?

I find beads look best with at least one stitch between each bead. I also prefer a "plain" (non-beaded) row of stitches between each beaded row.


VOILA!!!!
Here's a close up of my Sockapal2za beaded socks just to illustrate how the beads look in the fabric.. I used 8/0 seed beads on fingering weight sock yarn and a #13 crochet hook. I left a plain row in between each beaded row.


Since I started beading, two wonderful bead shops have opened locally so I can browse up close and personal :)

Prior to that, I got all my beads and crochet hooks from The Beadwrangler Great selection, fast delivery and wonderful customer service!

Another good resource is Earth Faire This is where I found the 3/0 beads for my Kiri. This is a good place to find a unique bead selection and interesting color mixes.

So now that you see how easy it is, get your self some crochet hooks and some pretty beads and get yourself out there beading...add some spice to your knitting!! Have fun!

Next Up.....

First of all I want to say a great big thank you for all the lovely compliments on my Kiri. You all sure know how to make a knitter's day :)

I've gotten some feed back on how I did the beading on Kiri so in the next week or so, I'll do a picture tutorial showing how I crocheted the beads on. It's really easy and fun when you have the right tools and much easier than stringing 1000 beads and knitting them on plus it's easier on the yarn not having to slide all those beads around....so stay tuned for the next episode!!

Since it's still the Summer of Lace, I'm still lacing away. I finished this Caryl's Kerchief to get a jump start on holiday knitting for a special friend. I used one skein of Socks That Rock sock yarn by Blue Moon Fiber Arts in the Pebbles colorway. It's hard to see but I also beaded the edge with 5/0 orange-y, topaz triangular seed beads. This is a fun, quick knit with a lot of pizzazz and can be used as a scarf or shawlette. Note: these beads were strung on and knitted into the cast on as per the pattern but next time I think I'll try crocheting the beads on the edge and see how that works.

Isn't she glamorous?

And keeping right in step with all lace, all the time here a FKD (that's FluffyKnitterDeb shorthand, hehe) I'm also working on some lace socks. These are the Go With The Flow socks designed by Evelyn Clark from the Summer 2005 issue of Interweave Knits. A fun simple lace pattern with lots of ribby stretch for a perfect fit. I'm loving this pattern and I think it looks great in this Mexicali colorway.Ole!

Since finishing Kiri, my "big" project is The Shaped Triangle shawl from A Gathering of Lace (a fabulous book for anyone even thinking of knitting lace!) I am using laceweight LINEN for this shawl, yes LINEN! I'm a linen virgin *blush* but since linen is so cool in the heat of summer, I thought it would make a lovely summer wrap. You can see the spool of linen in the pic and the very thin "string" at the bottom of the shawl. It's rather like knitting with thin rope and slippery as the dickens!! When I swatched I thought it would need the grab of bamboo to tame the slickness of the linen but I found it too grabby. I then tried my Denise needles, again too grabby. Next up, addi turbos...yikes! addi's and linen do not play well together...WAY too slippery and the points are really too blunt for lace! So I ended up very happy with my Inox Teflon Circs. I thought they too might be too slick but they were just perfect. And the Inox Teflon has the **best** points for lace knitting. I just wish they came in lengths longer than 80 cm cause I would really love a 40 inch Inox Gray! I wonder why the Inox Express comes in 40 inch but not the Teflon?

I'm getting an odd, stiff, wrinkled sort of fabric but I'm told by those in the know (hi Kay!!) linen softens up and develops an incomparable drape when washed and dried. Perfect for a summer shawl, n'est ce pas? We shall see....

Now for the kitty portion of our broadcast, the P-Man is something of a velcro kitty. He follows me from room to room and I'm always in his line of sight. Recently, he's taken to jumping into the bathtub as I'm preparing to shower! Here's proof.....

Now if I could only get him to pay my Visa bill.....

Knit on and stay cool!!

Presentng Ms. Kiri

Kiri is finished! She was a GREAT knit and I am soooo happy with how she turned out! Here she is for her glamor shots......

Blocked and drying on the bed

A close up of her edging, showing off her pretty pearl bead border

And her lovely center edging (my favorite part!)

An outside pic on a dark towel so you can really see her shapely leaves

And lounging outside, trying not to MELT (it's *HOT* here!!)

Specs:

Kiri adapted and designed by Polly of All Tangled Up

Used 8.5 skeins of Shine, a sportweight cotton/modal blend from Knitpicks

Size #6 US (4mm) Addi Natura Bamboo 40" circ. I didn't check gauge, just swatched til I found a tension and fabric I found pleasing and that worked with the yarn.

Mods: I enlarged the pattern by knitting 16 pattern repeats instead of the 12 suggested by the pattern and I added size 3/0 pearl colored beads by crocheting them onto the last 2 rows of the edging between the yarn overs and every stitch in the bind off row. The pattern also calls for an SKP for the left leaning decrease on each leaf but I did an SSK instead (I slip my first stitch as if to knit and my second stitch as if to purl for the SSK) I felt it made a neater edge on the leaf and more closely matched the K2tog of the right leaning decreases.

I absoultely *love* how she turned out and she is a knitting project I am very proud of! The stitch definition is amazing, she's incredibly soft, the style is versitile as the pearl edging can dress her up yet she's also perfect with a jean skirt for a trip to the freezing supermarket! Just about the perfect knit project all in all! :::Debi does serious happy dance:::

My poor Pumpkin longs to come outside when Mom does but he's an indoor/screened in balcony kinda kitty. When I leave the house, he stands sentinel in my front window and waits for my return.....awwwwwwwww!
Doesn't he look so sad?
Have no fear, he got lots of chicken when the photo session was over :)

Have a great week !

Give a little, Get a little

In the giving department, here are the other squares I'm sending off to Annie for her memorial afghan. I just love trying out new stitch patterns, especially lace! So what better cause than a memorial afghan of love? Knit a few and try out some stitch patterns of your own, you know you wanna!!

In the getting department, LOOK what I got from my secret pal!!


She's from Vermont so she sent me an adorable little log cabin shaped tin of *REAL* Vermont Maple Syrup...YUM!! She sent another cute post card and some pretty, pretty Kroy sock yarn which just happens to be one of my favorite sock yarns!! (of course I need more sock yarn like I need to run naked thru downtown Ft. Lauderdale, hehe....now there's the scary visual of the day!)
And best of all, in the upper left of the pic is a hand made needle roll for my DPN's....she made it herself!! Isn't it lovely? And aren't I a lucky Secret Pal? Thank you so much SP, you are spoiling me and your sewing talent leaves me awestruck! I *love* everything!!

This is what I've been working on lately. Like so many others across blog land I've been bitten by the Kiri bug!!


I'm using Shine from Knitpicks and I just *love* it!! It's sooooo soft, easy to knit with and has great stitch definition! It's a sportweight cotton/modal blend and the modal gives the yarn a really pretty shimmer or shine I guess :)
It's the first yarn I've tried from Knitpick's new line and I'm very satisfied overall. It's a lovely yarn and you can't beat the price! I am enlarging the pattern a bit, I'm doing 16 repeats instead of the 12 suggested in the pattern and I plan to add pearl beads to the cast off edge. I'm anxious to finish cause the rows are sooooo long now and seem to take forever!! To be honest, Polly designed a great shawl (thanks Polly!!) but having knit both the shawls on which Kiri is based, Birch and Leaf Lace, I think I prefer casting on 300 stitches and decreasing (Birch) to casting on 3 stiches (Kiri and Leaf Lace) and having to increase to 300+ stitches! But I guess that's what makes the knitting world go round, variety!! I hope to post completed Kiri picks next week.


Now Pumpkin wants to know "what's for breakfast, Mom?" so we are out of here!

Have a great weekend full of smooth stitches and cool breezes!!!

It's a small, small world

Pumpkin and I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to this amazing community of bloggers who offered their support for my lil guy and for allowing me to vent my spleen a little....y'all ROCK!!

Now along those lines, one of my favorite knit bloggers, Kerstin of At My Knit's End and her family have just suffered an untimely and tragic loss. Kerstin's brother-in-law, John Glick, was killed along with 2 of his friends in a car wreck. John was married only last year and his widow, Becky, not only lost her husband but one of the other men killed was Becky's bandmate as well.

In a show of comfort and support, Annie of The Knitty Gritty has organized a fiberly memorial for John. She is calling for our wonderful community to rally round and knit a square or two to sew together a knitted memorial afghan that Becky can keep to surround herself in our good wishes and thoughts. If you'd like to participate hop on over to Annie's blog for the details. She will even send you yarn if you want to knit but have no appropriate materials!

Here's one of my 8 x 8 inch squares:

A couple of month's ago, I won a contest on Kerstin's blog and my prize was 3 skeins of Kureyon. When I heard about this tragic accident, I immediately envisioned this square. I wanted a heart to represent the love John's family had for him and the crysral beads are to represent a crystal tear for thier great loss. The heart in my square is made from a tiny remnant of the yarn Kerstin sent me as my prize. I didn't know at the time, why I wanted to save this tiny snip of yarn...I do now. It's a small, small knitting world, isn't it?

It's my blog, and I'll rant if I want to!

>>I'm very sorry to have to say this, but that is probably one of the ugliest cats I've ever seen. As a Maine Coon, Russian Blue, and Siamese man myself, I find the flat-faced breeds a little disconcerting. Anyway, happy birthday. <<

Today I found the above comment on my blog. This asshat *HAD* to say this. For what? The Good of Mankind? My well being? Pumpkin's? And this weenie had the audacity to do it *anonmyously*. What a he-man!!

Now clearly this man has an inordinately small penis and an even smaller intellect and his comment does not change my life in any way but I fear it is symptomatic of all that is bad on the internet....Why do some feel it is ok to drive by and snipe, saying things they would NEVER have the sack to say face to face?? Why is it ok to break internet appointments without a fair-thee-well, when if the same behavior was exhibited face to face, the offender would be unceremoniously kicked to the curb? Y do we toler8 puter speak? Has it become 2 hard 2 write the word your, and only ur is acceptable? Yikes!!

Many have told me, I write exactly as I sound so my "voice" comes across in posts, emails and IM's and by the same token, I never say or do or promise anything I wouldn't offer in a real time, face to face situation. I wonder how many can say the same or how many find courage in a monitor and keyboard?

And you Mr. Drive-By Snark and Run, I wonder just how disconcerting your visage is that you have to hide behind a machine?

Claudia, no chicken feathers here, just lots of repetition....give me patience :)

Back to knitting tomorrow but before I go, here's yet another adorable picture of the P-Man, cause I'm ornery that way, hehe.....

HELP ME PLEASE!!!

I'm putting out a cry for help!! As previously discussed, my present camera SUX so I'm in the market for a new one....I'm looking for something decent in the $150 - $200 price range (being a poor graduate student and all) and I'm drowning in a sea of too many possibilities! So if you're thrilled with YOUR camera PLEASE leave me your suggestion in my comments! You will have my undying gratitude :) TIA!!

So much catching up to do!!

I'm baaaaaack!! Well actually I never left but I haven't been posting much because I am using my faithful but less than state of the art laptop that up until today, was WAY too slow for any picture programs....can you say dial up and 128 megs of RAM?? Sloooooooooow.......but to be honest, this was a really great laptop in it's day so I decided to give it a facelift! I added some RAM and a little perseverance and voila! Pics galore to make up for lost time! and now I have a really good "spare" if my really expensive piece of shit wonderful Gateway decides to show it's self again!

So on to some KNITTING CONTENT WITH PICS!! First up I give you the long awaited Adrienne Vittadini Shaped Top! I started this on KIP day (June 11) and finished it on July 6th so just about one month. The pattern was a bit more "organic" than I would have liked....you were given ONE pattern repeat of the lace and fitting in the armhole decreases and simultaneous neck decreases while keeping the lace looking as it should was left up to me! So the *second* time I knit the lace, I got it :) Here she is (and I *LOVE* her!!)

Specs:
Adrienne Vittadini Spring 2005 Pattern Book

Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Ravish - just under 8 skeins

size #6 US Addi Natura Bamboo Circs ( I knit really loosely with cotton!)

Mods: aside from having to figure out the lace/decreases myself I added the picot bind off that was called for at the neck and the armholes to the hem and I like it A LOT!! The pattern called for a plain cast on which being stockinette, rolled unmercifully and I felt the Top was too dressy for a ribbing or a seed stitch hem. I think adding the picots to the hem really pulled it all together! To do this, I did a provisional cast on by crocheting *around* my needle to form temporary loops and knit into each loop. Once the peices were finished, I unzipped the provisional cast on, placed the live stitches on my needle and bound off using the matching picot bind off.

All in all, a fun knit and a (in my opinion) beautiful result! I'm very happy with the top and I hope the acrylic content of the ASC will keep it from stretching out so I can wear it for many *Summers of Lace* to come!

Now what else has Debi been up to in her blogging absence you ask? First up, I finished my socks for my Sockapal-2-za pal:

I hope she likes these sunny beaded socks and they make her smile all year long!

Next, I knit these Leaf Socks for a friend. She's a lover of the color sage so I used "Artic Moss" Naturespun Sport for the body and some Mountain Colors "Sagebrush" for the trim, heels and toes. I think she will *love* these socks!
The pattern is from the German Sock Knit-a-Long Yahoo Group.
I also used the Sagebrush Mountain Colors (one of my favorite yarns, btw!!) to make some socks for the charity Children in Common (CIC). I think these are just so cute and it warms my heart to know they will be keeping the feet of some sweet child warm when that child might have little else. I really *love* being able to use my beloved knitting in a charitable way....go ahead, make a few, the **FREE** pattern is right over there -------------->on my sidebar! You know you wanna!

Now I leave you with...what else? Cute Pumpkin pics!! When he lays near me on the couch he usually curls up so tight his flat, little face is mashed into the cushions, something like this:
And one second later, here he was:
Doesn't he look like he turned himself inside out? hehe....And don't you *need* to scratch that tummy?

Next week, two new WIP's and hopefully a new toy*

Happy knitting everyone!!

*please forgive the horrible quality of these pics, my camera :::cough, Gateway, cough:::is not very good at the close-ups and it was my first digital camera ie: I didn't know any better!) My birthday is in September so I think there's an early birthday prezzie in my immediate future! Stay tuned.....

addendum 7/16 4 pm: I took my camera outside after the rain stopped and re-shot all the pics....the quality is slightly better but still not very good so, if you visited earlier, your eyes are not playing tricks AND I'm still looking for a new camera :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY P-MAN!!

Today is Pumpkin's FIRST birthday!! Please send chicken :)

I couldn't ask for a sweeter, happier man in my life and my darling boy has made a very difficult time a little bit more bearable!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUMPKIN!!

For those who are about to ROCK.....

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Gone Fishing!!

I wish!!!

I've been having major computer issues of late so it's time I sent my really expensive piece of shit *great* computer in for a serious overhaul! And since I'm on school break until the second week in July, no computer access! I will have my ancient but beloved old laptop but I probably won't be posting until my really expensive piece of shit *great* computer returns!

So hopefully lots of knitting and some blog visiting for now....I'll be back as soon as I can! Try to miss me a little? .....hehehe...

Happy Summer and Happy Knitting!

PS - The spectacular pic of the sailfish above was taken off Key West, my favorite place on Earth (so far!) and about 3 hours south of me. I didn't catch it but I could.....maybe.....someday....you up for it, La?

Lotsa prezzies, lotsa pics, a thank you and some knitting!

It's been a busy week, finals and final papers coming due. Little posting so lots to catch up on!

First of all a great big thank you to Knitty Kim for being such a great Meet-Up organizer and making sure World Wide KIP Day was a rousing success for us Broward County knitters! Well done Kim!!

Now if that wasn't exciting enough, I got a gift from my Secret Pal this week!

First I got these really cool knitting post cards. Aren't they adorable?

Next I got these way cool *personalized* stitch markers!

Isn't my SP the BEST?? She also sent me a lovely sympathy card for losing Mickie 2 weeks ago (and Jaxon in February!) that really touched my heart! Thank you SP!!

Since class/study time is prime knitting time for me, I've been really productive. I finished the back of the AV Shaped Top (my KIP Day Project) but as it is just a rolling blob of stockinette, I didn't think it was pic/blog worthy yet.

I did finish Rob's Twined Rib Socks (free pattern on sidebar) and I thought they were very blog worthy so here they are.

And.....since I am participating in Alison's
I started some socks for my sock pal....
I thought these sunny socks would make my sock pal smile!

But wait, there's more!!!
I recently became acquainted with a fellow blogger Liz. I helped Liz with some HTML for her blog and she so generously sent me these:
More beautiful stitch markers!! And a wee mousie for Pumpkin! Getting to know Liz has been reward enough but all these wonderful stitch markers sure made me smile! Thanks {{{{LIZ}}}}

And last but certainly not least, I leave you with this cool pic of the P-Man....he was on my back porch when he spotted a pigeon! Doesn't he look fierce!! heheh....
Have a great weekend and keep knitting!!!

Stash Enhacement and a Reminder!!

OOOO how pretty!!

The yarn on the left is 400 yards of Seduction in the Sarong colorway. This was a gift from someone special ( hi Toni! ) and is a fingering weight hand dyed 50% Merino/50% Tencel blend. My camera doesn't capture the luster of this beautiful yarn nor the decadent softness!! It is so delicious!! This would make the ultimate pair of socks but I'm thinking maybe a beaded shawlette too. Ah, such tough decisions :) This yarn is dyed by the same talented artist who produces Socks That Rock yarn and if you haven't checked that out you can find it at The Fold It's a great *sproingy* sock yarn in amazing colorways...go on, you know you wanna :)

I saw the yarn on the right, Kelly, in a catalog and fell in love! The Kelly is a cable constructed cotton/acrylic worsted weight yarn in a beautiful light to dark coral and lime colorway. Now I may have the stash that ate Florida but don't buy yarn "just to have it". All my yarn is earmarked for specific projects* I couldn't justify the purchase until I met this:

mmmmmmmm, sweater ::::best Homer Simpson drool:::: Isn't she lovely? Her name's Dibs-On-Ribs and she's from the "Subscriber Only" area of the Interweave Knits on-line site. She's constructed with all sorts of interesting short rows. Itchy Kureyon, feh! Soft, brilliant Kelly, goooooood!! Won't she make a lovely summer sweater?

Now don't forget, tomorrow is so get out there and KIP all you amazing knitters!! And bring an extra set of needles and some scrap yarn to teach someone to KIP for next year!

*altho all my stash has a purpose, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time...it's a knitter's perogative, n'est ce pas? :)

Between the raindrops...

Finished shawl pics!!Here she is being blocked on my bed.

I had to be a bit creative :)

Here she is outside reclining on the railing on my front catwalk.

And a close up, Mr.DeMille!

Specs:

Myrna Stahman's Catharina Shawl from Knitter's Best of Shawls and Scarves in Blue Heron Mercerized fingering weight cotton in the colorway Opal on #6 US (4mm) addi natura bamboo circular needles.

I really loved this project!! I **HEART** this Blue Heron Cotton and I plan to use it for many more shawls in the future! It's very shimmery and soft and knits like a dream...very easy on the hands for 100% cotton!

This was my first Faroese shawl and I love the shoulder shaping that really makes the shawl stay put! The pattern was impeccably written and really fun to do! I made the back panel 29 inches, as suggested for a "large" however the *wings* were a bit long, they were down past my hands! I guess *fluffy* and short don't go so well together, hehehe... So after I broke my back *dressing* her to perfection as specified (see above!) I.....decided to.....toss her in the washer and dryer!! I was scared (right, Ada?) but I figured I couldn't wear her as she was and worst case, I would gift her to someone else. BUT....SHE IS NOW PERFECT!! ::: another Debi Happy Dance ::: I really enjoyed this process (hi Margene!) and the product is now perfect too.....ALL HAIL THE Summer Of Lace!!(Thanks Wendy!)

Pumpkin just takes it all in stride, see?

Now please come back tomorrow for some stash enhancment and a reminder!!

Extraordinary Kindnesses

The knitting community is so amazing! I want to say a heartfelt thank you for the outpouring of kindness and support for this very difficult time.

Losing BOTH my beloved boys in the space of less than 3 months has caused my heart to shatter. The things that keep me sane are the generosity of my knitting friends and my sweet Pumpkin. I thank god for both!

As a way of saying thanks, I've posted two free sock patterns on my side bar. The first is Rob's Twined Rib Sock.

This is written for sportweight yarn (I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Camouflage and Cedar) and a men's size 10.5. It's a nice stretchy rib with manly appeal! It would look equally nice in bright colors for a woman's sock.

Next is the Toddler's Twined Rib Sock. My sweet friend Ada adapted my pattern for her almost 2 year old son, Joey.
Aren't they adorable? Also written for sportweight so they fly off the needles!!

Pumpkin loves these socks and couldn't resist trying to steal the show. You can glimpse his little white foot sneaking into to the frame on the Camo socks. Since he's such a cutie, I decided to allow him to be my spokesmodel....
I finished my shawl (lots of stress/insomnia/grief knitting!) but no pics until the daily rain, rain, rain let's up!! Hopefully one day this week! I've got some lovely stash enhancement pics too :)

Just one more BIG thank you to everyone for being so supportive and showing me what RAOK really means!!

Good-bye my Miclette....

Mickie 1993-2005

Good-bye, sweet boy. Run and purr with your brother Jaxon now. I'll miss you both forever.....