What a Knit Banner

Where creativity & imagination go hand-in-hand...

Monthly Newsletter                                                                                         February 2013
THINGS IN THIS NEWSLETTER
New Kumihimo "Wedge Bead" Focal Bead Necklace Kit
8 New Painting with Beads Necklace Kits
Kumihimo Tip #14 - Braiding with Beads
Kumihimo Artist of the Month
CNCH - Textile Games 2013
Kumihimo Links...
  
.

Dear Knitters and Kumihimo-ists!

Karen 

Greetings everyone,

 

It has been a fun, creative and busy month. I have been braiding on the disk, the plate and the Marudai and I love each of these fabulous Kumihimo tools. One idea turns into another and my workshop turns into a whirlwind of color and beads and braids and braids and more braids. I love it. 

  

I am always inspired by the beautiful things that all of you do and I love the pictures that you send. I have a funny story along these lines:  A friend of mine had been very busy braiding and decided to text me some photos. She sent several pictures and texted, "I've been really busy!" and the response she got was, "These are really nice. Do I know you?" She thought I was being funny until she realized she was texting to the wrong number! We got a good chuckle!

 

We had a fantastic Kumihimo night a couple of weeks ago. I encourage you to form your own groups - it's a great way to learn and stay inspired. Our next meeting will be Tuesday evening, February 15th. Mark your calendars. 

 

Here's to a Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  

Happy Braiding,
Karen

 

P.S. If you were one of the braiders that wanted a Mini Slices Edge Bead Necklace Kit and missed out on them, both times I stocked them, send me your name and you'll be on my "first alert" list.

Like me on Facebook

 

 

 
 NEW! Kumihimo "Wedge Bead" Focal Bead Necklace Kit

A New Look at the Furnace Glass Bead -
Introducing the "Wedge"
Each month when I work on a newsletter and new designs, I put my new creations on www.whataknit.com prior to emailing the newsletter. This month many of you visited my website and discovered the New Kumihimo Wedge Bead Necklace Kits and ordered them as quick as I listed them! There are a few beauties left - grab them while you can! As I have mentioned, the turnaround time for these beautiful beads takes longer than I like! There will be more coming...hopefully sooner than later!
 

Click here to see Wedge Bead Focal Bead Necklace Kit.

 

Kit includes:

1 Spool C-Lon Tex 400

1 Beautiful Glass Wedge Bead

6/0 Toho or Miyuki Seed Beads

5mm All in One Magnetic End Cap

Instructions with Photos

 

Cost: $24 - $26

MORE! Kumihimo Painting with Beads Necklace Kits
8 New Painting with Beads Necklace Kits
I said I've been busy. I started braiding and couldn't stop. The beads were flying. There should be something here for everyone - from lustrous Ceylon beads, to Opaque brights, to soft pastels to earthy & organic Picassos, everyone should be able to find something they like.  Check them out - click here to see the entire collection of Painting with Beads Necklace Kits. They are so easy and quite quick!
  
Kit includes:
6/0 Miyuki and Toho Seed Beads
1 spool C-Lon Tex 400
5mm All-in-One End Cap
Instructions with Photos

Cost New Kits: $28 - $40
Kumihimo Tip #14
Braiding with Beads
Take a look at my step-by-step tutorial on Braiding with Beads. Try a sample first and you'll see how fun it is.

  
Other Tips:
  1. When I use beads as "accents" only, I thread the beads on a variety of cords like Satin Cord (i.e. the Edge Bead Necklace).
  2. When I braid a solid beaded necklace, like Painting with Beads, I feel it is better to use a stronger cord like C-Lon Tex 400.
  3. You can check out Kumihimo Tip #10 for tips on threading beads on satin cord.
  4. When I am using C-Lon Tex 400, I use the cord as a "self" needle or sometimes I will use a "wide eye" needle.
  5. I usually pour my beads into little bowls. This works better for me than spreading them out on the table.
Kumihimo "Artist" of the Month

 Nancy Beckert - Truckee, CA  

 

Nancy lives in Truckee and is a member of the Reno Fiber Guild. She has been knitting since she was a young girl and weaving for the past two years. I met here through a Kumihimo Class that I taught for the Reno Fiber Guild.  
  
Nancy came to our Kumi-night a couple of weeks ago and showed me the purse that she had made. I fell in love  with it. She cleverly combined Knitting with Kumihimo. Her purse was inspired by a free pattern on "The Philosopher's Wool Company" website. She used her stash yarn and used a Two-handed Fair-aisle Technique to knit the purse. The purse strap is an 8 strand Kumihimo round braid. She used the same yarn as in the body of the purse and doubled the yarn for each cord.
  
The free purse sampler pattern can be found at http://www.philosopherswool.com/Pages/SamplerPurse.htm.
  
Thank you Nancy!
Email Karen if you would like to share what you have created! It's best if you take a picture on a white background (a piece of paper works quite well)! 
CNCH Early Bird Registration Ends February 15th!

Conference of Northern California Handweavers - Textile Games 2013 is an event not to be missed. There are some amazing women putting together a conference that will be enjoyed by everyone that attends. The class offerings are numerous and exciting.

 

Click on this link to check out the CNCH Textile Games 2013 - Squaw Valley. Check out "Classes at a Glance" to learn about what is still available. This is updated weekly. Two of my classes are Full but there are 3 spots left in Painting with Beads! We are going to have so much fun!

 

Hope to see you there.

Shopping
I have 5 "Kumihimo Shops" to meet all of your Kumihimo needs. All orders are through PayPal (or use the credit card option) and I ship orders via USPS First Class Mail. This has been amazingly reliable and incredibly fast. Most orders are shipped the same day I receive them.

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.

If you have any friends that might be interested in receiving this newsletter, make sure you forward them a copy. Click this link to  

Join Our Mailing List!