Kinetic snowflake?

 

Although the Kinetic pattern calls for size 11 Delica beads I used "mystery" beads from my very old stash.  Although they are slightly large the sparkle is pleasing. I think size 15/0 seed beads would be a good alternative. 

For cotton thread earrings a stiffener helps hold the shape. I used Aleene's Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid to paint on the back side only. When dry it did not seem to dull the sheen of the white thread much, so it could probably be used on both sides, taking care to avoid getting it on the beads.

The "Primal" necklace in bright autumn colors is finished. Although, as I look at it now, it's giving tropical vibes! 

The giveaway winner!

 

The winner is Muskaan! Congratulations!

I'll need your shipping information, please. Look for an email from yarnplayer (at) yahoo (dot) com

Giveaway! Hand dyed thread samples

 

Giveaway! 

To be entered for a chance to win the hand dyed thread samples shown in the photo, leave a comment on this blog post. A winner will be drawn at random on October 19. Everyone is welcome to enter. 

Please note: these are samples of varying lengths from my dye batches, 4 skeins each from sizes 10, 20, 40, and 80. The package will be marked "unsolicited gift" but some countries still charge a customs fee or import duty on gifts, just so you know.

Weaving and Sugar Maple

 

Occasionally I weave, on an 8 shaft table loom. I recently signed up for a membership in Wisconsin Handweavers and hope to eventually get to a meeting. The towels I'm currently weaving are based on a pattern found in Handwoven Magazine May 2003.

I finished hand dyeing a batch of my favorite autumn colors called "Sugar Maple" and listed them in my Etsy shop.

Back side of the "Primal" necklace.

Someone asked to see the back side of my Primal necklace, so the photo above shows the back side.

I also decided to list the green/brown Primal necklace for sale in my Etsy shop.

Autumn glory at Greenfield park in Milwaukee County

Primal pattern is done

 

Primal is one of my most difficult patterns! Well, there was a lot to write and I practiced to be able to make a "loop tatted ring" over a bead over a floating ring in progress video - but I did it! 

There are 3 links to videos in the pattern. The one for "Catherine Wheel Join" goes to my Celtic Triangle video because it is a good demo of the technique. But, I made a new video for a bead inside a floating ring as well as the loop tatted ring already mentioned. These videos are not exclusive to the pattern, so here's the links: 

Catherine Wheel Join

Bead inside ring

Loop tatted ring over a bead 

Tatting techniques used in the pattern: ring, picot, chain, join, lock join, Catherine Wheel join, floating ring, bead picot, bead placed onto a picot, bead inside a ring, split ring, bead inside a split ring, loop tatted ring over a bead, Josephine chain.

The 7 page pattern is written in English, has a photo diagram with stitch counts, and in-progress photos. For sale as an instant download PDF on Etsy in this listing.

Primal, an archaic style necklace in tatting

Work in progress on Primal pattern coming soon

In my original "Primal" pattern that I'm still preparing, there's a ring encircling a previously tatted chain. Plan for it by wrapping the thread around the chain twice before winding the shuttle. 

Wind the shuttle and then tat the ring.

The closed ring encircles the chain, giving an interesting effect. 

The "Primal" pattern will have many advanced techniques in it, so it is a real challenge! I will post again when the pattern is finished.