Training Sock #2 Done!

Ta Daaa! A 'mostly' wearable sock! Created by me!


I took a little sock break and made these! Stitch Markers! The bead habit contributes to the yarn habit! Poetic!


Sock yarn yummies have arrived. Various fingering and DK weight and various fibers in stripes and solids. Such a huge variety of possibilities in one small pile! The bead stash is starting to turn green in envy of the yarn stash for pure volume, if not quantity.

Training Sock #2

Here it is!
The second sock in progress, ready for the heel.


Lion Brand Magic Stripes
on US1 DPNs
using Wendy' generic toe-up sock
The only thing that I don't like about this are the ladders. Gotta scan the web for suggestions on how to deal with those. Anyone?

Mom and my First Sock

So many to-drool-over photos of socks on the blogosphere I finally made the plunge and made my first sock. It's definitely NOT something to drool over, in fact, it's completely unwearable. But, Hey, I learned alot from doing it. I'm gonna keep it for posterity.



Using Alison's ankle socks pattern and Lion Brand magic stripes on US3 DPNs. The short row heels are very bad but I did better with the short row toe. Then came the grafting; I screwed that up big time. pulled the stitches to tight. such is life and then so we learn.

I cast on another sock right after; jumping back on the horse. This time using Wendy's general toe-up sock formula. No grafting! heehee. So far just have the toe done and the short rows are looking good. Photo later.

I made a brief detour back to the beads to make a present for Mother's Day.




For my standby project I have this seasilk scarf in progress. So nice working with seasilk!

A Brief History

For many years my crafty obsessions have revolved around beadwork. Below are some examples of my work.
Clutch purse woven in the Peyote style using 11/0 Delica beads.











Necklace and earrings in a lace weave using 11/0 Czech beads.










Lariat in a spiral weave using 11/0 Czech beads and pearls.

Eventually, and after many years admittedly, the came a time when the challenge diminished. I'd learned and mastered all the techniques that interested me and was making jewelry and beadwork designs that constantly garnered compliments and statements of amazement. Hmm. Modest, aren't I? :-) I began to look for more challenging ways to play with beads and at the same time, enviously watched friends as they worked the gorgeous yarns available today.

Finally, I decided that I could try working yarn. I would have a BIG learning curve since I'd never tried knitting or crochet before. And which one? A-Tinkering I shall go. Off to the craft store, for me that's Total Crafts, to peruse the available instruction guides and materials at cheap side. While tinkering I decided that I preferred to pursue, at least initially, KNITTING. The loop is on a needle. no need to search for it. Learned my cast on, my knit stitch, my purl stitch, make some swatches, and then tackled a scarf. That was okay. Tried some nicer yarn and WHAM bang-o I was hooked! So far I've only done scarves. Here's a few.

Likey the lacey!

Bowl o Beads

Making beads is one of my most favorite activities. They're small, quick to make, and sooo pretty. Then later I make them into earrings and incorporate them into bracelets and necklaces. These little 'gems' always get lots of compliments accompanied by amazement.
Here's the bowl o beads that as yet do not have a home.



And one of my most favorite necklaces which includeds beaded beads. And yes, those pearls are knotted. Yet another thing I've learned to do. I love the luminesence of pearls.

Starting Out

I've been reading lots of crafter's blog lately and found that I too would like to write about my crafting activities. Just meer writing about and taking photos and posting them really. That someone might read this is not essential, and really not expected. Which actually might make my writing more unreserved. That's a good thing. Everyone needs the practice. BTW, if anyone does read this and decides they like what they see enough to want to own any of the objects I've made, well then! By all means contact me. I'm willing sell any pieces that haven't already been given away or make a similar piece on commission.

It's been many years since I've done craft shows but I did used to do them. Nowadays, I sell my work only informally, as a hobbyist. I do think, at some point, I'll do craft shows again, but I'm not so crazy about the business side of things. I'm an artist! I would need a business manager. I'm vetting out friends for that role. Hee hee.