Scarves, Choc Ice and Funky Feathers!

Thanks for all the comments on the jewellery. I seem to have become quite addicted to playing about with beads and baubles and my bead stash is gathering apace. In fact, on Saturday we went to Brighton again and, of course, I couldn't resist calling in at Beads Unlimited especially as I wanted to buy some rattail for Celtic Knot jewellery. Rattail is a rather ugly name for a cord that is, in fact, very lovely being satin and shiny!


I intend to teach myself Celtic Knotwork and I made a start on Sunday except, what do you know, I didn't get everything I needed such as, for instance, PVA glue. So, I started off with a basic Celtic Knot ring using a Turk's Head Knot but was unable to finish it as I didn't have the glue. Here it is in its unsealed and unglued state!


Apparently, this ring is ideal for lovers as it represents the interweaving of their lives and futures. There are various other knots to learn such as the Button Knot, the Braid Knot, Figure of Eight Knots and Interlaced Knots. For one of my first projects, I'd like to make a Button Knot necklace which is basically beads separated by spacers and Button Knots.

I also made a couple more pins and a choker. This one I called the 'Funky Feather' Pin. Here's a close up.


And here's another shot showing how it looks as a scarf pin.


But never mind about the pin. What about that scarf!! This is one that Tina has sent to go towards the charity craft fair. It's Midwest Moonlight from the Scarf Style Book knitted in Rowan Cotton in the bilberry colourway. Isn't it just lovely?! So, we're having no more of Tina denigrating her knitting skills and hiding her light under a bushel and then producing a magnificent scarf like this, are we?

And, as if that wasn't enough, she also sent another gorgeous scarf - Wavy! Here it is below knitted in the same bilberry colourway of Rowan Cotton which is luxuriously soft!


Thanks, Tina, you're a star!

At the weekend, I also made another green and amethyst pin to replace the one I sent to Louise as a late birthday present and below is another shot of the gorgeous Midwest Moonlight scarf closed with the pin.


I think I may start a photo gallery in Flickr showing all of the items that people have knitted and donated to the charity craft fair as there's quite a collection by now. Here's the most recent moebius scarf that Mary-Lou has donated.


Chunky chokers are very much 'in' at the moment - the type with randomly placed beads and pendants of various sizes and lengths. So, I decided to make one in browns and blues and called it 'Choc Ice'.


It actually looks much better worn with a low neckline but that's very difficult to achieve with a dress form that is sized so that there's a gap in the middle of the bust which keeps swallowing up the central pendant!! Unfortunately, the photo below turned out a bit on the dark side but, nevertheless, here's another shot!


By the way, if you haven't done so yet, don't forget if you leave a comment on my previous post, you'll be entered into a draw to win a piece of my handmade jewellery or stitchmarkers.

I'VE FINISHED THE BEADED LACE SCARF. YAY!!!!! It now just needs blocking and then I'll post a photo. I need to write to Jackie at Heartstrings as I'd like her permission to sell it at the charity craft fair. I'm also carrying on with the Long Top but am thinking that I need to knock up a quick baby cardi as the next meeting of the charity craft fair organisers is in a week's time and, Sharon, the main lady, has just had a baby girl, Fern!

*** STOP PRESS *** Word on the street has it that a new UK knitting magazine is due to be launched on 24th August. The title is 'Knit Today' and it's being produced by the same people who do the 'New Stitches' embroidery magazine. Reports are that it will be aimed at more advanced knitters!

Lastly, I'd like to leave you with this poem which was sent to me by Val who was reminded of it by my 'Evergreen' Necklace. Val is the lady mentioned on the Posh Yarn site in relation to the lovely free Sea & Shells Stole pattern. The title of the poem is 'Overheard on a Saltmarsh' and it's by Harold Monro.

OVERHEARD ON A SALTMARSH

Nymph, nymph, what are your beads?

Green glass, goblin. Why do you stare at them?

Give them me.

No.

Give them me, give them me.

No.

Then I will howl all night in the reeds,
Lie in the mud and howl for them.

Goblin, why do you love them so?

They are better than stars or water,
Better than voices of winds that sing.
Better than any man’s fair daughter,
Your green glass beads on a silver ring.

Hush, I stole them out of the moon.

Give me your beads, I want them.

No.

I will howl in the deep lagoon
For your green glass beads, I love them so.
Give them me. Give them me.

No.