Growing

I've got one sleeve for Jupiter finished, and when I wind another skein into a ball, I'll start the second sleeve.  Once you get it going, this is a quick knit.  It's a fantastic color, too, and will go with practically everything in my closet.  The pattern calls for a series of increases at regular intervals (in this case, every sixth row), so I took this opportunity to make one of those nifty little increase stitch markers and used it.  You start by putting the ring closest to the bead on your needle.  When you finish knitting a round, you put your needle through the next ring on the marker, and continue to do this until you run out of rings.  Make your increase, and start over again.  Make sure you remember that the first ring (nearest the bead) being on your needles means that you have finished the increase round, and it works.

Another project diverted my attention for an evening or two.  When I was helping Sis with her jewelry booth, I noticed one of her bracelets.  She had made it for herself mostly to figure out the technique, and wondered if it would sell at a certain price so she put it out in the booth.  Although plenty of customers tried it on, nobody bought it, so when the show was over I offered to buy it. However, Sis had decided to keep it for herself and just make another for me with the same beads (I loved their aqua color) if I'd send her a button for the closure.  But I was so intrigued with the technique that I went ahead and made one for myself when I returned home.  It's one of those wrap bracelets that goes around your wrist a couple of times -- this one wraps twice, but I'd like to make one that wraps three times.

I used some dyed jasper I bought somewhere, and dug a faux buffalo nickel button out of my stash.  I have a demi-parure of buffalo nickel jewelry so for the picture, I put one of my earrings next to the button for scale (the one on the right is the earring).  The bracelet is comfortable and very attractive, and I've worn it several times already.  It's much more even than it appears in the picture.  And you can guess what's next -- yes, a bracelet in tiger colors to wear for school, although I'm not sure what I'll use for a closure.

The hardest part of this project is figuring out a good base for the beads.  I started with some bamboo cord but thought it wasn't heavy enough, so the Emperor got out his leather stash and I tried some "goat thong" but it was too brittle.  I went back to the bamboo cord and used it double.  It's a good thickness, but it's still pretty soft.  One of the numerous tutorials I consulted recommended waxed Irish linen cord held double, so I'll hunt some down and give it a try for the next version.