Origami Cowl

This yarn has been hanging around in the yarn basket for awhile. I love ArtFibers yarns, and I would love to knit an entire sweater from one of their yarns. But so far, I've only tried out a couple of different yarns, sampling.

This time it's Origami, 100% nylon. This is another simple stockinette cowl, but a smaller loop. It can be folded and pinned to fill in a neck or just as an accessory. Approximately 35" around x 7".

Camel Cowl with a little Sparkle

After seeing how nicely the Knitterly Cowl turned out, I wanted to make another similar cowl. This time I used Rowan Lima and S. Charles Collezione Ristratto. I love the cable construction of Lima, although this pattern doesn't really show it off. The colors in Ristratto are lovely, but I would only wear this mohair blend over other clothing.

It's just a simple loop of stockinette, and I'm letting the edges roll. Approximately 35" around.

Furry Office Chair

Pottery Barn Teen has some very nice furry office chairs, but the price is a bit high (especially when you factor in shipping).

via PB Teen

So, I looked for a chair to modify. I found an office chair for $15 at IKEA; it is available in blue or red, and is mostly plastic. I decided to spray the back and seat white before assembling the chair, so add in another $5 for spray paint.

Then, I picked out some medium length faux fur fabric. It is at least 60" wide, so you probably could get away with 1/2 or 5/8 yards, but I went for a full yard. Considering it was on sale and the end of the bolt, I got 1 1/3 yards for $14. It ended up just taking a 20" by 40" piece of fur.

Two seams to make a pocket for the chair back and some sticky Velcro, and it's done! It's not as plush, but it'll do.

IKEA chair with fur slipcover

Wrap Bracelet with Beads

Ever since my friend came back from a trip to Lake Tahoe with a wrap bracelet, I've been wanting one. And I said, Hey, I can *make* one! So begins another craft experience...

First, I had to find out how to make a beaded wrap bracelet, so I went to Google and YouTube. This is the tutorial I followed, mostly. But I also used this recipe from Fusion Beads for reference.

I checked a couple of websites for supplies. One recommended 4mm Swarovski crystals, but when I saw how small 4mm beads are, I wanted to use something larger. I picked some 8mm stone beads and got started with version one. Turns out, that's a little heavy, so I took it apart.

Next, I picked out some glass 6mm beads and found I had some clear nylon beading thread, so started again. Got about halfway through, and then the thread tangled and broke. I got to thinking that the thread was a bit heavy to double, and I was tired of stabbing myself with the long, big-eyed bead needle, so I picked up some brown beading thread and smaller needles.

Third time's the charm, I guess. I finished the bracelet! Only problem, it's about an inch too long, but that's better than being too short. Overall, it's about 36" long and wraps 4 times around my wrist. I have 4mm beads and plan to try another.

Project for the Olympics

It's not officially sanctioned, but I did work on a knitting project during the Olympics. I cast on during the opening ceremonies, and bound off on the last day before the closing ceremonies.

I chose The Scalloped Shawl from Malabrigo Book 3, and I used Abstract Fibers Super Sock in Chartreuse and Sweet Pea. I had planned to make a striped shawl from these yarns, but Sweet Pea turned out to have more of the Chartreuse green than the other colors, so the stripes are very subtle.

 

Finished Size: 60" across x 25"