New skills in knitting using Cascade 220 I knit very large clogs then felted them to fit. Surprisingly these were not as hard as I thought they would be.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Felted Clogs
New skills in knitting using Cascade 220 I knit very large clogs then felted them to fit. Surprisingly these were not as hard as I thought they would be.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Knitting Sights!!
I feel very lucky to have been invitied to these events. Fun new friends, great knitting projects, and more adventures to come.
So Many Places So little Time
Aug. 23, 2009
Well we have made the decision to winter in Sitka this year. We are on the waiting list for permanent moorage, and should know within the week where our slip will be. Moorage here is quite different than what we are use to, all of the slips are Hot-berthed- which means when you leave your slip you must notify the port and they rent out your slip if someone wants it. So until you have a permanent slip you could be moving all around the marina at any moment.
We have been in Sitka now for close to a month. We have seen friends from Seattle who have come through on the cruise lines, Don and Liz, John and Yoshiko. That was fun for us.
Fish at last! News travels fast in Alaska from one small town to another. While in Pelican we met a great couple Tom and Minnie who called ahead to Sitka to let their friends Lance and Ann know we were on our way. We have all become fast friends and have enjoyed each others company on many adventures already. Fish was first on our list so Lance and Ann took us along for a successful day of salmon fishing. Jim brought in a 17.5 pound Coho. Each of us caught either a Coho or a King so the freeze was filled.
Girls’ nights out! I have had two fabulous weekend events with new friends here in Sitka. The first was the opportunity to spend the night with friends on a privately owned island. The night was filled with knitting, barbequing, eating, talking and laughing. The second weekend adventure took us to a new log cabin in the forest out side of Sitka. The setting was amazing, the salmon were running upstream and the bear watch was on!! A sow with two cubs has been seen daily in the area unfortunately we did not see her. We were warned however to keep doors and windows locked.
Sitka is alive with activities and we are looking forward to taking advantage of all the events.
Well we have made the decision to winter in Sitka this year. We are on the waiting list for permanent moorage, and should know within the week where our slip will be. Moorage here is quite different than what we are use to, all of the slips are Hot-berthed- which means when you leave your slip you must notify the port and they rent out your slip if someone wants it. So until you have a permanent slip you could be moving all around the marina at any moment.
We have been in Sitka now for close to a month. We have seen friends from Seattle who have come through on the cruise lines, Don and Liz, John and Yoshiko. That was fun for us.
Fish at last! News travels fast in Alaska from one small town to another. While in Pelican we met a great couple Tom and Minnie who called ahead to Sitka to let their friends Lance and Ann know we were on our way. We have all become fast friends and have enjoyed each others company on many adventures already. Fish was first on our list so Lance and Ann took us along for a successful day of salmon fishing. Jim brought in a 17.5 pound Coho. Each of us caught either a Coho or a King so the freeze was filled.
Girls’ nights out! I have had two fabulous weekend events with new friends here in Sitka. The first was the opportunity to spend the night with friends on a privately owned island. The night was filled with knitting, barbequing, eating, talking and laughing. The second weekend adventure took us to a new log cabin in the forest out side of Sitka. The setting was amazing, the salmon were running upstream and the bear watch was on!! A sow with two cubs has been seen daily in the area unfortunately we did not see her. We were warned however to keep doors and windows locked.
Sitka is alive with activities and we are looking forward to taking advantage of all the events.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Knitting Fun
I had only one pattern and a few limited yarn colors with me while at anchor. So with that one pattern and the yarns available I've created a few items for the coming addition to our family.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Easy Cuff Bracelet
Even if you aren’t an experienced metalsmith, with a few simple tools, you can make this easy cuff bracelet.
You will need:
Bracelet mandrel
Raw hide hammer
Anvil
Ball peen hammer
Jeweler’s saw and No. 2 blade
Assortment of jeweler’s files
6" by ½" 16 gauge sterling sheet
1. First use a saw or metal cutting shears to cut a piece of 16 gauge sterling silver sheet into a piece that is 6" long and ½" wide. Pieces of sheet this size can also be ordered from metal suppliers. They may charge a fabrication fee to precut the piece, but it is very minimal.
2. After cutting the sheet, you may have bent it a little. Don’t worry. Just use a raw hide hammer and anvil to pound the sheet straight again.
3. Next, use shears or a saw to cut off the corners of the rectangle you made in step 1.
4. Now a lot of filing is needed all around the piece of metal. This is required in order to smooth out the rounded ends of the sheet and also on the straight areas so it does not poke or cut the wearer. You will notice the sides of the metal are very sharp. Be careful while handling the strip so you do not cut yourself.
5. Texturing is the next step. Though this is not a required step to make this bracelet, I think it adds a lot to the look and it’s fun to do. Use the round end of the ball peen hammer and lightly tap the strip of metal while holding it on top of the anvil. It does not take a lot of force to create this textured look. Texturing only needs to be added to the side that will be the top (or outside) of the bracelet.
6. Once the piece has been textured, it is time to shape it. I use a round bracelet mandrel, but an oval one would also work. Use your hands to press the sheet (textured side out) around the top part of the mandrel. Hold the sheet against the mandrel with one hand and hit the sheet carefully (watch those fingers!) using a raw hide hammer.
7. Take the sheet off the mandrel and put it on your wrist to see how it lays. Adjust with your hands if necessary.
8. Finally, polish the bracelet using a dremel or polishing wheel.
This cuff bracelet is easy to make and looks great.
Bracelet mandrel
Raw hide hammer
Anvil
Ball peen hammer
Jeweler’s saw and No. 2 blade
Assortment of jeweler’s files
6" by ½" 16 gauge sterling sheet
1. First use a saw or metal cutting shears to cut a piece of 16 gauge sterling silver sheet into a piece that is 6" long and ½" wide. Pieces of sheet this size can also be ordered from metal suppliers. They may charge a fabrication fee to precut the piece, but it is very minimal.
2. After cutting the sheet, you may have bent it a little. Don’t worry. Just use a raw hide hammer and anvil to pound the sheet straight again.
3. Next, use shears or a saw to cut off the corners of the rectangle you made in step 1.
4. Now a lot of filing is needed all around the piece of metal. This is required in order to smooth out the rounded ends of the sheet and also on the straight areas so it does not poke or cut the wearer. You will notice the sides of the metal are very sharp. Be careful while handling the strip so you do not cut yourself.
5. Texturing is the next step. Though this is not a required step to make this bracelet, I think it adds a lot to the look and it’s fun to do. Use the round end of the ball peen hammer and lightly tap the strip of metal while holding it on top of the anvil. It does not take a lot of force to create this textured look. Texturing only needs to be added to the side that will be the top (or outside) of the bracelet.
6. Once the piece has been textured, it is time to shape it. I use a round bracelet mandrel, but an oval one would also work. Use your hands to press the sheet (textured side out) around the top part of the mandrel. Hold the sheet against the mandrel with one hand and hit the sheet carefully (watch those fingers!) using a raw hide hammer.
7. Take the sheet off the mandrel and put it on your wrist to see how it lays. Adjust with your hands if necessary.
8. Finally, polish the bracelet using a dremel or polishing wheel.
This cuff bracelet is easy to make and looks great.
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