'Softly Softly'

See? No red!

I've been playing with delicate pastel shades of glass. These pretties are made with a base of the palest, softest green. Think Dulux 'Apple White'. I've cased the beads with a thick layer of glistening crystal clear and decorated them with lavender polka dots. Spring is in the air!

Sock-Making : Getting There

Hang on a minute - there seems to be a bit of a red thing happening on this here blog! (Note to self : Next photo post must be of something not red.)

I'm still knitting away like some kind of sock-obsessed freak. I think Chris was quite perturbed when I produced my knitting from my bag on Friday night. He said he didn't know if he could have a girlfriend who knits. Nice!

I finished the first sock. It's a tad big so I'm making the next size down for the second one. Also, I knitted the first one with a 'common' heel and I'm making the second one with a 'short row' heel. (Picking up the lingo. Me speak Sock.) I much prefer the way the second version is looking so I'm going to finish that and then I shall embark upon creating my first actual matching pair of socks. I don't think they'll be red either. I need a break from red wool.

I'll be back later with beadiness .....

Whole Lotta Love

Gorgeously glossy little red heart-shaped beads. These were shaped by hand. Well, not literally with my bare hands. That would be both dangerous and very silly. What I mean is that I didn't use a bead press or a mould.

Sock-Making : Practice

After reading my sock knitting book about nine and a half times I decided it was time to take the plunge and get knitting. I went to Masons in Abingdon yesterday and bought myself a set of double pointed needles and some gorgeous red yarn.

I can knit, I do knit and I've been able to do so since I was about ten years old. Mum was an avid knitter and she always had about five projects on the go at once. She used to make jumpers mainly so the whole idea of sock-making using four needles at once seemed a bit alien to me having only ever seen Mum use the standard two.

So last night after a bit of starting and stopping, a few dropped stitches and a lot of swearing I finally got into the swing of the process of knitting in the round. I just took this photo of my practice sock so far. I got up early this morning to carry on knitting, hence the pink and white polka dot dressing gown. The sock's a bit wobbly and a tad messy in places but it is my first attempt at knitting in the round so I'm going to let that slide! It could get even wobblier and messier when I get to the heel turning bit .....

Striking Simplicity

Glossy jet black beads with white polka dots strung with spacers in a deep cherry red. Simple but striking, methinks!

I've spent ages reading through the wonderful lentil bead name suggestions that you've all sent me. I had the load of entries here on my comments section to mull over plus at least the same number again in email format. Thank you all so much for thinking of such ace design names!

It was tricky but I decided to go with Jackie Read's idea. She suggested 'Roly-Poly' beads which I think describes them perfectly. Thanks Jackie - I will get your lucky dip bag of beads in the post to you.

I'll do another bead competition soon. Check back or follow me by using the link to the right so you don't miss out on any free bead opportunities!