Christmas Bead loom Weaving

A bit more Christmas bead weaving, for 2 granddaughters.  These bracelets are fun to make. It can be difficult to find patterns for bead loom weaving for bracelets since I didn't want them to be too wide. 

Patterns that work for bead loom weaving include graphs for Perler Beads.  The beads for Perler beading line up like the beads for bead loom weaving.  Fair Isle knitting graphs also work.  I've heard cross stitch graphs work, too.  Peyote graphs do not work since the beads line up like bricks.  You can also use square stitch to make bracelets that look like bead loom weaving.

I used size 8 Toho round beads, One G thread, and a size 10 beading needle. I like One G thread much better than Nymo D because it shreds much less and is easier to thread the needle.  I decreased both bracelets to about 9 beads before adding the clasp. 

Beaded Thunderbird for Grandson

My grandson participates in Boy Scout ceremonies, so I beaded this Thunderbird wrist band for him.

I used size 8 Toho seed beads and Ultrasuede ends.  I wove with thread only for 3/8" at each end before gluing on the Ultrasuede ends. the Ultrasuede was 1 1/4" x 1 1/2" with the hole centered 1/4" from the fold.  I used Zap glue on the thread selvages and E6000 on the leather.  Let set for 24 hours. Leather string from Michael's. One G thread.

Christmas Bead Weaving: Minions

This Christmas bracelet is for my granddaughter who loves Minions.  I made it on my Northwest Bead Loom, and the beads are size 8 Toho beads.  Minion patterns are on Pinterest, and I added the Santa hats and made their overalls red.

 The Minions are Bob and Stuart.  :)  The beaded main portion is 4 1/2" x 1 1/2".  I decreased on the loom using 4 rows of decreases per side, which adds about 1" in length and finishes at about 3/4".

Notes: 36 rows plus center and end rows = 39 rows = 4 1/2". 5 1/2" before clasp.  New thread for clasp after weaving in all threads.  Lobster clasp and made adjustable chain. 7 or 8 beads to attach clasp.

Spinning Wheel Pic for FCFG Facebook Page

I love this picture of a spinning wheel that I used to update the Franklin County Fiber Guild Facebook page. 

The spinning wheel is a Jerry Jensen Traditional Production Wheel.  Photo by Jennifer Donovan.

Elissa Parish Demonstrating Tape Loom Weaving

This is Elissa Parish demonstrating tape loom weaving. "Tapes" (bands or straps) were widely used in Colonial America to tie clothing, tie grain bags closed, and many more uses. Tape looms were often made by the husband for his wife or a father for his children. The loom was made by Paul Parish.

I love my Paul Parish Tape Loom.

 

Shetland PeerieMakkers--Carrying on the Knitting Tradition of Shetland

 

 

It's so nice knitters in Shetland are carrying on their knitting traditions by teaching it to school children. So interesting they use knitting belts to hold one of the needles. Shetlanders call knitting "makkin" so they call them "makkin belts".

 Photo from the Shetland PeerieMakkers Facebook Page.  Shetland PeerieMakkers is expanding to eventually teach bairns (children) in 28 primary schools all over Shetland.  Jamieson's of Shetland is their yarn sponsor.

"PeerieMakkers" means small knitters in Shetland dialect.  Knitting was once taught in school, but that ended in 2010, so volunteers are helping to keep the Shetland knitting tradition 

 

        An Example of Shetland Fair Isle jumpers on Shetland PeerieMakkers Facebook Page

 The northern isle of Unst is known for lace knitting, and Fair Isle is known for colorfully patterned jumpers (sweaters) and hats.  It's wonderful they are keeping these knitting traditions alive.

The Gansey Girl Statue

This beautiful statue is called The Gansey Girl and is in Bridlington Harbour in England. She is knitting a gansey while waiting for her loved one to return from sea. A Gansey is a traditional patterned "jumper" or sweater worn by fishermen for generations. The statue is by Steve Carvill, and the old photo of a girl knitting by Frank Meadow-Sutcliffe was his inspiration, circa 1880. It's a beautiful tribute to the knitters and their fishermen families.

 I've been making posts for our Franklin County Fiber Guild Facebook Page of anything fiber-related that I find interesting, and I'm going to post some of my posts here on my own blog.