"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmerman

7/15/15

Cat By the River

Last year my daughter Ruth talked me into purchasing a kit for a Shibori ribbon bracelet from bead artist Jody Young. Jody had a booth at a bead show we went to. I started it a few months ago and have been working on it off and on since. I got to spend the day at home today and I was in a finishing mood, so I finished it. I got to work on it out on the deck because the weather was beautiful and the air has cleared up quite a bit.

I call this Cat By the River.



It is my very first bead embroidered bracelet.



The kit consists of a piece of Shibori ribbon, a cabochon, and an assortment of beads. This particular kit had quite a few pearls. The seed beads are black, a silvery grey, and a green lined blue-all size 11's.




 I supplied the backing, clasp, and some imagination. I love this clasp. It goes perfect with the bracelet. I wish I could remember where I got it and what it's made of. I want to say Bali silver, but I'm not sure.



I gave it to Ruth when she got home from work. She loves it. I'm so glad.



I put a lot of hours into this project. It feels very good to have it done.

Our weather has cooled off considerably. Cool enough to shut off the air conditioner. The rain we got earlier this week knocked some of the smoke down, and the wind changed direction yesterday so it is blowing the smoke from the Cape Horn fire away from us. It's nice to be able to breath again. I should mention the fire is over 60% contained. They should have it out in a few more days, assuming the weather cooperates.

I finally tried out the Edgerydoo. I am not impressed. It punches holes so small I can hardly see them and I definitely can't get a crochet hook through them. I will keep it because it's wonderful for cutting the rounded corners on the fabric with a rotary cutter. But I won't use it for punching holes in fleece. I've been punching the holes in one at a time as I put the base row of the edging on. I'm using a size 6 steel crochet hook and just forcing it through, I was measuring every half inch before punching, but I got tired of that and decided it doesn't need to be that perfect. I went o eyeballing it today. I've got 3 edges punched. One left to go.

In the meantime I have found another device for making holes in fleece. I think this one will actually work. It's a rotary cutter slit edge blade called Kay's Crochet CroEdge . I watched a video on how to use it and I'm quite impressed. (Btw, I was unable to find any video showing the Edgerydoo. I should have done more research before buying it.) It makes holes big enough for a size G crochet hook. I've ordered one from Amazon and looking forward to trying it out. Should be here in a few days. I really need to find a quick and easy way to make edged fleece blankets if I'm going to make quite a few of them.

I have cast on for another baby sweater. Set 2 has begun. This time I'm doing a cardigan.

Live long and prosper. \\//



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