|
Where creativity & imagination go hand-in-hand... |
|
Monthly Newsletter March 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Knitters and Kumihimo-ists! | |
Greetings everyone,
It has been another fun, creative and busy month. Whew!
In just 3 weeks, 33 of us are headed to Spain for our annual Knitting and Kumihimo Retreat. We will visit Madrid, San Sebastian and Barcelona with many side excursions along the way. My mother will share her love of knitting  (see below) and I will teach a few Kumihimo Disk classes including Kumi 101 and the Clunky, Funky Beaded Bracelet (you'll see this kit in the April newsletter). The third class is on the Kumihimo Plate and we will be making flat and zig zag braids. My dad, Bill York, is the planner "perfecto" and he makes the plans (and they are great). He tirelessly dots the i's and crosses the t's. Several of my girlfriends are going and we have worked each other into a tizzy with our packing. I packed early and found that it didn't really save me time as I have been packing and re-packing ever since!
Please note... while I am away, you are welcome to shop at What a Knit.
The cutoff date for orders before I leave is Friday, March 29th. Plan ahead and stock up!
Shipping will resume when I return, on Thursday, April 18th. Your orders will be filled - first come, first served.
Happy Braiding,
Karen
|
|
|
|
|
They're Back! Furnace Glass Focal Bead Necklace Kits - "Starting in the Middle" | |
 This is a fabulous technique to have in your Kumihimo "tool box". Whether you are making a beaded necklace or a fiber only necklace with a focal bead, sometimes the hole in the focal bead is too small to pass the finished braid. With this technique, you actually start with your focal bead in the middle and braid from the middle and work your way out to each end. You'll be braiding half the necklace at a time. As long as the cords will pass through the middle of your bead, you can use this technique. You can also use this technique when you have multiple focal beads, but for now we will just start with one!! These kits are "one of a kind". The beaded portion of the necklace is approximately 11 1/2 " and the ends are braided C-Lon. The length of the braided "ends" will determine the overall length of the necklace. Kit includes: 1 Spool C-Lon Tex 400, 4 Tubes of 6/0 Miyuki or Toho Seed Beads, 1 Furnace Glass Focal Bead, 1 Pair 5mm All in One Magnetic End Caps, Instructions with photos. You will Need: Kumihimo Disk, 9 Bobbins, Measuring Tape, Heavy Duty Thread, Needle, Glue (like WeldBond). You Should Know: Kumihimo Round Braid, how to "drop" beads.
Click here to see the Furnace Glass Focal Beaded 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: $25 |
|
Limited Supply! MORE Kumihimo "Mini Slices" Edge Bead Necklace Kits | |
 Sparkling & Fun and Back in Stock!
Here's a new look at the Edge Bead Necklace.
32 brilliant and colorful mini slices of cane (or furnace) glass make up the "focal section" of the necklace. The mini slices are a mixture of many colors and pair nicely with most of the satin colors. I have used Royal satin in this sample. Whatever color of satin you choose will influence the overall color feeling of the necklace. Black could be striking, brights are fun, you pick. When you place your order, you can let me know which color of satin you want. It's as easy as that!
|
|
New 6/0 Toho & Miyuki Seed Bead Colors Have Arrived! |
 9 NEW Colors of 6/0 Seed Beads -
I love color and I love beads. I have jars and jars and jars of these gorgeous beads!
I have found the Toho and Miyuki Japanese beads to be most consistent in size and quality.
The new colors include (top, left to right): Frosted Terracotta (looks like pottery), Transparent Rainbow Topaz, Hybrid Natural Picasso, Brown Picasso, Gold Lustered African Sunset. Colors in the bottom row are: Frosted Tanzanite, Frosted Sugar Plum, Matte Iris Grey and Hybrid Jet Picasso.
10 - 11 grams per package (sometimes more)
$2.50 - $4.50 / package
|
|
Kumihimo Tip #15 |
Disks, Disks and More Disks
Many of you already have more than one Kumihimo Disk which makes it easy to have multiple projects going at one time. You might have one disk that you use for quick projects and another disk may be warped with a project that will take a little more time.
 Another thing to think about is having different disks that you designate for "thicker" cords and other disks which you use with "thinner" cords. For example, I have disks that I use with the petite stain cord, C-Lon Tex 400, yarn and leather and other disks that I "save" for using with smaller diameter beading cords, embroidery floss, etc. When braiding on a disk, you rely on the tightness of the "slits" to keep your cords under tension to produce a nice braid.
I use the 6" Hamanaka Kumihimo Disks as well as the smaller 4 1/4" BeadSmith Mini Kumihimo Disks. I use both sizes of disks with "cord only" braids and ALSO with "beaded braids". As long as I am creating an 8 strand braid, I think of the two sizes of disks as interchangeable. The hole in the center of the two disks is essentially the same size. If, however, I am braiding with 16 strands, then I use the bigger 6" disk as there is greater room around the perimeter of the disk which makes it more roomy for the bobbins.
|
|
Kumihimo "Artist" of the Month | |
Ronda Rice - Denver, Pennsylvania
I am always thrilled when I get photos of the things that you have made. I was especially touched when an email came the other day. The subject line read: "You've Inspired Me!" The first sentence read " First, let me say I LOVE your What-a-knit Newsletters. I read every word. Thank you for taking the time each month to stir my creativity." You can just imagine how good that made me feel. Thank you Ronda - you made my day and even more! Here's how Ronda designed her creation:
"For this design I used C-Lon Tex 400 and seed beads. Although you could start this at the middle and place the bail on at the beginning, I did not. I started my braid with about 2" unbeaded. I threaded 15 beads on each string, dropped them in pairs until only 3 beads remained on each string, then dropped them every string. To make room for the bail, I moved 32 times with no beads. To add the bail, I moved my strings back to their starting points, then carefully threaded them one at time through the bail. That part was a bit tricky, but with the strings in their starting positions it's easier to see which one you are working with. Then I strung 15 more beads on each string and reversed my pattern to match the other side. I ended up with a 22" necklace, but could have easily made if longer by including more of the unbeaded braid. I love the way it turned out and have been quite surprised with the comments I've received, including 3 offers to buy it off my neck!!"
I absolutely loved what Ronda did with this necklace and how she combined various techniques for a fantastic end result. When I teach classes, I talk alot about taking each technique an thinking of it is something in your toolbox.
For those of you that have not tried the Edge Bead technique you might want to try one of the Edge Bead Necklace Kits.
Thank you Ronda!
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)! |
|
Knitting "Artist" of the Month | |
Irene York - Green Valley, Arizona
I am very proud to have my mom, Irene York, as my Knitting "Artist of the Month". My mother is my inspiration. She is talented in every way imaginable. She is a one in a ka-zillion great woman! My mom is quite a knitter and designer. Early on, she became friends with Horst Schulz - the talented knitter that has inspired many with Patchwork Knitting. Here's what she has to say about her creation which she calls A Tribute to Horst Schulz. "The inspiration for this cardigan/jacket was a desire for a functional sweater using the many techniques I learned from my teacher, guru Horst Schulz. The design process took nearly a year of off and on knitting. I'm happy with the end result. I have learned so very much from my teacher and mentally thank him frequently".
She used Adriafil Knitcol 100% DK Merino Wool and Plymouth Yarn Encore DK. She used a US 6 needle.
 Patchwork knitting consists of knitted shapes like mitered squares, triangles, shells, blossoms, etc. You knit a shape and when that shape is completed you simply pick up stitches on a finished edge and start the next shape. When you get to the end, all of the Patchwork pieces are already in one piece. Brilliant.
Thank you Mom! |
|
Kumihimo "Student" of the Month | |
 Bonnie Dyer - Truckee, CA
Bonnie Dyer is an Escrow Officer at Placer Title Company in Truckee, CA and she was one of the six students in a Kumihimo 101 Class that I taught last weekend. We started at 11, stopped in the middle for a decadent potluck lunch and then continued braiding until the end of the day. We had alot of fun.
After her first Kumihimo class, Bonnie purchased Painting with Beads Necklace Kit # 12. With what she learned in Kumihimo 101, she was able make the necklace the next day and wear it to work on Monday! The Picasso 6/0 Miyuki Seed Beads are beautiful and she did a meticulous job! Excellent Bonnie.
The techniques she learned in the intro class include: planning a project, measuring and cutting cords, warping the disk, reading a pattern, starting the braid with an overhand knot or a Lark's Head knot, dropping beads, finishing ends and attaching end caps. |
|
"San Miguel" Shoes for Sale! | |
San Miguel Shoes are the considered to be the most comfortable Shoes in the world. These shoes are made for walking long distances - they combine comfort with elegance! 
I have a pair of BRAND SPANKIN' NEW San Miguel Shoes that I would like to sell. They have never been worn. They are a "San Miguel" Size 6 which is equivalent to a US Women's Size 9. I am heartbroken that they don't fit me as they are absolutely gorgeous and comfortable. As pictured in Black, the heel height is about 1.75". Medium width.
San Miguel Shoes are made of a stretch canvas and they are very comfortable. Many of you that went on the San Miguel de Allende Knitting Basket retreat know how great these shoes are.
The price for these shoes is $65.00 and that includes shipping. I will only ship within the United States! Send me an email and let me know if you are interested. Email Karen or call 530-448-3624. |
|
40 to 50% Off Sale |
 Out with the Old, In with the New!
Make sure you check out the "Selected SALE Goodies". Some of you have already found this page and have scooped up some fun things. Check out the Dichroic Glass Pendants that are now 40% off. These pendants are absolutely gorgeous on an 8 strand petite satin cord. Great project anyone and they make great gifts! |
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
