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Where creativity & imagination go hand-in-hand... |
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Monthly Newsletter September 2011 |
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Dear Knitters and Kumihimo-ists! | |
Hi,
First, thank you to all of you for your incredible enthusiasm and continued support. I love getting your emails and calls and I appreciate every order that I receive.
I am thrilled that so many of you are enjoying Kumihimo and having so much fun. I love hearing that friends are teaching friends and grandmas (and some grandpas) are teaching their grandchildren. The definition of Kumihimo is "the gathering of threads". And so it is with friendship - in our living, loving and laughing we gather and braid a fabric of friendship.
By popular request, I am putting together a series of Kumihimo Kits. My goal is to create one new kit per month or so. The kits will contain the supplies that you need plus excellent instructions. I will also let you know what supplies you will need to provide and what skills you should possess. It's all pretty easy. This is a fun way to try something new! This month it's the Kumihimo Cluster Bead Necklace.
Our next Kumi-gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20th. Mark your calendars. This is always a fun evening. I look forward to seeing all of you that can make it and please bring whatever you are working on!
Happy Braiding and Knitting - Karen
P.S. I have some Kumihimo Pendants on sale - 30% OFF (while supplies last).
P.S.S. If you have created something that you are proud of and would like to share, please send me a photo (white background preferably) and notes about what you did and you could be the next "Artist of the Month". Thanks!
P.S.S.S. Mimi - Your CANDY CANE is on its way! |
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| Kit of the Month - Kumihimo Cluster Bead Necklace | |
Kumihimo Cluster Bead Necklace Kit
 | | Coffee / Black |
This necklace is a super fun, quick & easy to
make. It is made of 8 strands of Petite Satin Cord with 6/0 Seed Beads. The style of this necklace is well suited for shorter lengths however I have provided enough material in the kit to make up to a 20" necklace; my preference is closer to 17". The instructions are written for the longest length (20") but you can easily adjust the size to any length simply by choosing the length at which you want to stitch , wrap and cut your cord ends before attaching the end caps. Read carefully, cut your cord lengths accurately and you will have a fun and easy time making this attractive necklace. You can also make bracelets using the same technique.
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Kit Includes:
- Instructions with photos for making necklace.
- Tips with photos for finishing ends and attaching end caps.
- Petite Satin Cord (enough for 20" necklace)
- 9 grams 6/0 Toho or Miyuki Seed Beads
- 1 Set 6mm Base Metal End Caps with Magnetic Closure
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3 Colors Available:
- Coffee Satin with Black Beads
- Lt. Beige Satin with Cream Luster Beads
- Black Satin with Galvanized Silver Beads
 | | Lt. Beige / Cream Luster |
 | | Black / Silver |
Cost: $14.00
Click here to purchase Kumihimo Cluster Bead Necklace Kits!
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| NEW, NEW, NEW... | |
Here's the list of all the NEW stuff you will want to check out:
MIYUKI 3 x 3 Cube Beads now in Polished BLACK
3 x 3 cube beads come packaged in 9 gram tubes - $2.75 each
Available in Matte Black, Black AB (Aurora Borealis), Matte Gunmetal, Matte Metallic Khaki Iris, Matte Metallic Patina Iris, Transparent Teal AB, Surf-n-Turf Mix, Blueberry Mix, Rainbow Mix and now Polished Black.
Click here to see all colors of cube beads.
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TOHO 6/0 Seed Beads
3 New Colors - CREAM LUSTER, SILVER LINED CLEAR & GALVANIZED SILVER (these are great colors
for the holidays).
  
TOHO Seed Beads come packaged in 9 gram tubes - $2.45 each
Click here to see all colors of seed beads.
C-Lon Tex 400 in CHARTREUSE
We carry C-Lon Tex 400 in 16 beautiful colors (Black, Oyster, Sable, Shanghai Red, Marigold, Lt. Blue, Lt. Orchid, Purple, Grape, Eggplant, Aqua, Teal, Peridot, Olive, Chocolate and now Chartreuse).
39 yards / $4.50
Click here to see all colors of C-Lon Tex 400.
New "Focal" TEXTURE BEAD
This is a great bead that can be used alone as a focal bead or, even better, three evenly spaced in the front section of a necklace. Quantities limited.
$1.75 each
Click here to see more beads.
African Trade Beads
This is another bead that can be used as a focal bead(s).
  
75 cents to $1.25 each
Click here to see more beads.
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PENDANTS ...... 30% OFF SALE (while supplies last) | |
AfricanTribal Pendants were $18.00...Now $12.60
Round Stone Donut Pendant #2 was $18.00...Now $12.60
Small Stone Pendant #3 was $11.00...Now $7.70
Small Stone Pendant #5 was $11.00...Now $7.70
Square Stone Pendant #1 was $18.00...Now $12.60
Square Stone Pendant #3 was $18.00...Now $12.60
Click on this link to go to the Kumihimo Beads and Pendant Shop.
Scroll to bottom half of page. All sale items are marked.
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| Kumihimo "Artist" Showcase - Irene York |
"Multi-Strand Magnificence" by Irene York (Green Valley, AZ) 
The artist of the month is my own mom, Irene York. She is a tremendous influence in my life and she is the most talented, artistic, creative and generous Designer/Teacher that I know. She and my dad (also wonderful) were recently visiting for a week. My mom and I created new Kumihimo pieces all week. It goes without saying...I WISH she lived closer.
My mom is best known for her designs, patterns and teaching in Innovative Patchwork Knitting. Coming from a yarn background, I guess it is natural that Irene explores Kumihimo with various types of fiber and she's always coming up with fabulous color and texture combinations. Her multi-strand necklace is made of of 3 braids; all different sizes. She used 8mm end caps with a hook and eye closure to complete her necklace.
Click here to check out the KUMIHIMO GALLERY SLIDESHOW.
It changes all the time! |
| Karen's Show and Tell ... | |
I mentioned in my last newsletter that I would be heading to Medford, Oregon to take a 2 day Kumihimo workshop with Designer/Teacher Adrienne Gaskell. The class was hosted by Carol Garfield owner of Dancing Beads. I had a fabulous time and I learned how to braid on the Marudai! It was a fantastic experience and I loved every minute of it. For two solid days 8 of us women were busy and bent over our Marudai creating our own masterpieces. The only thing you could hear was the melodic sound of tapping tama. The first two necklaces are the pieces I made in class and the others are some of the necklaces I have made since I have been home. The first four necklaces were braided on the marudai while the fifth necklace was braided on my Hamanaka Kumihimo Disk.
I love working on the Marudai. It's rhythmic & relaxing. While it takes me a little longer to set up the Marudai (compared to a Kumihimo Disk), once the Marudai is set up the braiding speed is much faster. Even so, I will keep my Kumihimo Disks nearby. My lifestyle, like most of the people I know, is busy and always on the go. I love that I can grab my Kumihimo Disk and a few supplies and I can take my Kumihimo wherever I go! To everything there is a season. I think both tools are very important.
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| Kumihimo + Holidays = Perfect Combination | |
I know it is still early but I wanted to put a little bug in your ear....
Kumihimo is perfect for the holidays
or anytime you need to give a gift!
- You can give someone a Kumihimo Disk Starter Kit and they will love it.
- You can make someone a beautiful necklace or bracelet and they will love it.
- You can stuff someone's stockings full of satin cord, or C-Lon or tubes of beads and they will love it.
- You can give someone a Kumihimo Cluster Bead Necklace Kit and they will love it.
- Another idea is to get someone a Kumihimo Kit and and then plan some time to teach them.
You can't go wrong. Order early. I have stocked up because many of you have already started "shopping" . I'm ready.
Click any link below to start shopping. If your orders get to me early enough, I TRY to send them out the same day I receive them!
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| Kumihimo Pattern of the Month..."Chevron" | |
16 Strand, 2 Color, "Chevron"
Color A: Black (background) Cut 11
Color A: Turquoise (chevron) Cut 5
Measuring: Determine desired finished measurement, double that and add 4 to 5 inches.
Set up Disk: Starting with N #32: AB (32,1), AA (4,5), AA(8,9), AB (12,13), BB (16,17), AA (20,21), BA (24,25), AA (28,29) . Space pairs evenly around disk.
Movement: Bottom Left to Top, Top Right to Bottom, Clockwise Turn to Next Pair.
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Thank you for meandering through my What a Knit Newsletter. If you need Kumihimo Disks, bobbins, "Petite" Satin Cord, C-Lon cord, end caps (hook & eye or magnetic), patchwork knitting patterns, ToHo Seed beads, unique pendants, Kumihimo Kits (they make great gifts) click on any of the following links:
As always, please feel free to call me or drop me an email if you have any questions or suggestions. Email Karen or call 530-448-3624. |
| WHAT A KNIT ! Newsletter Archives | |
For those of you that are new to What A Knit, you'll find some good info in the archived newsletters.
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
If you have any friends that might be interested in receiving this newsletter, make sure you forward them a copy. Click this link to
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