Fewer UFOs by one

Amongst the various projects that I’ve determined to finish (or at least make progress on) in this year of stash diet are/were the following:

1. Thread crochet Pineapple Tablecloth

The story behind this is that about 11 years ago, one of my nieces became engaged, and had set a nice long engagement. So I thought what nicer gift could someone want for their wedding than a crocheted tablecloth? I chose a pattern, bought beaucoup thread, and started hooking. I got 7 squares of 108 done when the niece disengaged, and the project languished. In retrospect, I should have kept crocheting, and I might actually have been close to finished when she finally got married (to someone else) two years ago.

At any rate, I picked up the project, grabbed the hook size that was on the pattern, and made another square with a nearly empty ball of thread to see how my gauge was. Good thing:

Latest on the right

Obviously I had not made notes about what size hook I’d actually been using – it called for a 7, and while I know that I was crocheting tightly and need to loosen up some, not by *that* much. So I’m going to try another square with a size 5 hook; if that doesn’t get it, it’ll be a 4.

Even at the rate I’m (not) working on it, it might still get done by the time my youngest niece, who is around 7 years old, gets married. Or if not, it will make a nice, rarely used heirloom gift for someone when I die (I’m pretty sure it will be done by then, since I have no plans to die for 30 – 40 years, at least. On the other hand, I don’t plan on using that as my project time-plan, because then it *still* might not be ready).

I think I’ll give the small square to a 10-year-old cousin for use in her Barbie doll house – hey! I actually finished a tablecloth! Hee hee hee!

2. Beaded knit amulet bag

This was a nice simple project that was in the dreaded I-cord strap stage – that and seaming the sides were all it needed. But like any self-respecting knitter, I *loathe* I-cord. Besides, I thought I’d be fancy and add the beads in with the I-cord also. So this sat for probably 3 years, forgotten in the mists of easy-to-finish projects.

When I found it in with the other thread projects, I was pretty annoyed with myself. I tore out the I-cord, dispensed with the beads on the strap, and did a simple crochet chain/chain (where you chain out, and chain back in the back loops of the original chain); seamed the sides, and finished it in less than an hour. I can only wish that the rest of my unfinished projects were so quick – some of them are just as easy, but with a lot more work to be done.

Simple knitted beaded amulet bag

and finally:

3. Knitted beaded necklace that magically converted into a beaded macrame bracelet

I had tried about 5 times to accomplish a certain look with knitting and beads for a v-shaped necklace, and had to frog it each time. The last time, it got stuck in a drawer figuring I’d pick it up again after I actually knit something I knew how to do, and then, well, you know, it’s been 2 or 3 years since.

When I found it in the drawer, I decided that I still didn’t know how to accomplish what I wanted to do with the knitting, but that I thought I could do it as macrame. As I frogged it for the final time, and as I got out my macrame project board, pins, and a couple books to remind myself about knots (I haven’t macramed anything for at least 20 years!), I played with ideas in my mind, and the end result is that it morphed into a bracelet from a necklace, changed into a totally different pattern, and became more focused on the beads than on the macrame.

Not having done any macrame for such a long time, it’s taking me a while to get my technique back – I’ve also never worked with such small thread before, so I had to get my magnifier out. But it’s all coming back to me, and I’m pleased at how it’s turning out.

Sorry about the lack of detail - camera not very good!

So I’m down one UFO, with progress on at least two others. I’ve managed to stave of the startitis by converting the necklace into the bracelet, at least for now. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out!

“Variations on Bonnie” loomed bracelet

This bracelet is a loomed piece, with beads strung on the warp threads, and an “endless” warping. The class was taught at Beads at Dusti Creek by Lynn D. A picture of the class sample is below:

class sample

The bracelet went fast – we warped the loom and completed 3/4 of the looming during a 4 hour class (including lunch) – I finished the looming and pulled the warp thread in an additional hour.

The problem is that either I misunderstood what Lynn said about which size to make, or else she forgot that she modified the pattern. Following the pattern repeats to get the largest size, which was supposed to be the same size as the class sample (and would fit someone with a medium to large wrist), my bracelet came out so that it was at least an inch-and-a-half too long. Looking at my version and comparing it to the class sample, I see that mine has 3 extra rows of bugles, as well as the corresponding loomed rows in between.

Oversized!

The plan is to put the button on one end and add a netted loop to fasten the bracelet. Since it is so long, and unlooming it is out of the question, I’m going to add netting to each end, use a beaded bead and loop to fasten it, and put the button smack-dab in the middle, and convert it to a choker.

Next time, I’ll know better – I’ve already got the beads and buttons to make another one, so I’ll fiddle with the pattern repeats until I come up with the right size to make a bracelet that fits ;-}

p.s. sorry about the picture quality – I’m working on improving my photography. . .