Scallop Edge Beaded Necklace

Scallop Edge Beaded Necklace
Designed by Carol Metzger
Pattern can be purchased at her Etsy Shop

I added more loops of beads than shown in the original pattern to weigh down the necklace so it rests nicely on the neck.

Knitted scarf and cowl patterns

After months of dry, warm weather,  Northern California finally got some welcoming rains.
This is just the perfect time for me to settle on a comfy sofa and try out some of the free patterns from ravelry.com

Lace Pattern by Jimmy Beans Wool
I used Charisma yarn by Loops & Threads

Polka Dots Cowl - My first project using two colored yarns. 
This  beautiful yet easy to make pattern is a great introduction to fair isle knits.

Free pattern from knitsbybritt.com

My New Year Resolution

         

        

My resolution for this year is to complete all unfinished projects that are laying around on my work table or stashing in boxes. So far, I managed to finish a few knitted ear warmers and cowls that I promised my daughters and nieces a couple years ago.

Three-Strand Braided ear warmer, free pattern from owlswakeup.com

I also made five-strand braided ear warmer  so it can be pulled down and worn as a neck warmer.

Another ear warmer for my niece, free pattern from imtopsyturvy.com

Beaded Kumihimo with Leaf Fringes Necklace

I love The Rivendell Rope designed by Jeanne Evans , but I don't know how to crochet. After years of knitting, I can't train my hands to work with only one hook! That is another reason why I learned how to do Kumihimo, which I think the look resembles beaded crochet.

 I found 4 Czech glass leaves in my bead stash. The reddish-brown color matches perfectly with the copper beads in the necklace. I wish I had more leaves but four will do for now. Here are the steps to make the leaf fringe.

String an odd number of seed beads and form a circle around the clasp ring. Tie a knot.   Next, string the desired length of vine-colored beads.

String a leaf and a vine-colored bead.  Skip the bead and pass back through the leaf and 2 beads.

String 2 vine-colored beads and 6 leaf-colored beads.

Skip the 6th leaf bead, pass back through the 5th leaf bead.  String 3 leaf beads then pass  back through the 1st leaf bead and the 2 vine beads.

Continue to add more leaves, pearls or crystals to the vine.

I think adding another vine would give this necklace a fuller look.... if  I can just find 1 more glass leaf and a couple pearls that match!

Beaded Kumihimo Necklaces

Kumihimo, just the name was difficult to remember, let alone braid with 8 strands of thread!! So when Bead & Button and Beadwork magazines featured Kumihimo projects, I just glanced at them and didn't have any second thought. Then came shipments of braiding disks, colorful spools of s-lon thread, and how-to books... to the bead store where I worked, I realized sooner or later I would have to learn the basics of this art of braiding.
After looking up on youtube.com I found out that Kumihimo is not that complicated. On the contrary, it is quite a therapeutic activity to relieve stress after a day at work. I was totally hooked on Kumihimo!! If you are interested in learning the technique, I highly recommend beadaholique.com/yt "How to Braid Beaded Kumihimo and Make a Bracelet".

This necklace was meant to be a bracelet, but I made it too large so I attached the chain.

After taping and glueing the end of the braid, I inserted a 24-gauge head pin to an end bead.

 I wrapped head pin tightly around the braid a couple of times. Then, I slid the  bead and bead cap in and  made a wrapped loop.

I didn't plan on having the three beads as a focal point for this necklace. It was just a fortunate misstep!!

I got distracted and messed up the braiding pattern. Feeling quite confident that I would be able to fix it, I took  all eight strands of thread off the disk. Boy, that was a wrong move (Did  I mention that this is a therapeutic activity? I take that back)!! I had two options: unravel the whole thing and start over or find beads with hole large enough for eight strands to go through. I opted for the latter. 

I pushed the seed beads back and taped the strands together...

then tied a knot closely to the seed beads to keep them in place...

tied another knot before sliding the third bead in. The hole is large enough to cover the knot.

Next,  I placed the strands back on the disk.

After a few rounds, I checked the braid.  It looked all right!

Finally, the bead caps were added on.

Another Beaded Cup-Chain Bracelet

The beautiful AB peridot cup chain caught my attention during my recent shopping spree at a bead store. As I was finishing this bracelet, using the same two-needle right angle weave technique like I did with the black cup chain bracelet,  I wanted to add more embellishment. 

 Therefore, another row of 3mm bugle beads was added on each side of the bracelet.

I think the bracelet looks pretty just like this...

...or 3mm round pearls can be added. They fit just perfectly in between the gaps.

I like to attach charms to my bracelets. This filigree heart matches beautifully.

Cubic Right Angle Weave Pendant

After completing the right angle weave, tear drop shaped pendant, I thought it was about time I learn how to do the cubic right angle weave. Fortunately, as I was "googling" for C.R.A.W., I found Marcia DeCoster's blog: maddesignsbeads.blogspot.com . It features the "Easy Peasy Crystal Earrings" also called the "Thirty Minutes Earrings". I took Marcia's suggestion and started with 3mm round Swarovski pearls, which is easy for a beginner like me  to work with. I had so much fun with C.R.A.W that instead of making a pair of earrings, I ended up with this pendant!

This new issue of Beadwork features the "Crystal Scepter Earrings" designed by Julie Anstaett. One of the techniques to make these beautiful earrings is C.R.A.W.. The directions are very easy to follow that I could use as a resource to quickly learn how to do the weave. My next project will be making the earrings.