Crochet beaded bracelets

This year at the Knitting and Stitching Show we decided we would only do one class, giving us a bit more time to browse the stands!  We picked an hour long class, taken by Kath Orsman, which was to crochet a beaded bracelet from wire.

Kath had already done the 'boring bit' for us - feeding all the tiny beads onto the wire in preparation for the class.  The technique was really simple - crochet the wire as you would normal wool, and ensure that you caught a little bead every other stitch.  You needed to crochet a piece of wire double the width of your wrist, and then another piece half that length.  Then you folded the double length piece, and plaited the three pieces together.

We were also provided with the fastener for the bracelet, and the little bits and pieces which allow you to attach them professionally, such as the crimp beads.  I think the finished product looks fantastic, and I've worn it a couple of times already!

A really inspirational and fun class, with lovely results.  It really was a highlight of our day at the show, and I'm hoping to make some more bracelets from the pattern that Kath gave us.

The Knitting and Stitching Show 2014

Another year, another trip to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace!

This year, Naomi had the bright idea that we could make a weekend of it, and go down to London on Friday night. The three of us ladies got our husbands involved, and we all ended up heading down to London on Friday night. Liz and Mark stayed in the centre of London, while Naomi, Vincent, Pete and I ended up staying further out, in the Crowne Plaza at Ealing. Our hotel was lovely, and it certainly made for a more restful experience this year, rather than the crazy early start which we had last year - never ideal for a Saturday morning!

We started our Saturday with a trip to the Hummingbird Bakery in Soho. A s'more cupcake seemed the perfect beginning to the weekend in my opinion! The cafe hasn't got much seating space, but it was a good place to meet Liz and indulge in some cupcake goodness before us ladies headed off to Alexandra Palace.

The show was apparently sold out, and it was packed when we arrived around 12:30 or so. We enjoyed the familiarity this year - having been last year, a lot of the stands were similar, and we knew more what we liked and what we wanted.  I bought a ridiculous amount of wool, but at least I actually had my magazine that I was basing my purchases from with me, so I knew I was buying the right amounts of wool and the right brands! I'm going to crochet a cushion cover, and I've another jumper I want to make after I finish the current one!

I also bought a bit of fabric, a new sewing box, and a book on learning to knit - I'll see when I actually get round to that, as there's a lot of other things on my plate right now...!

Here are Naomi and I, laden with purchases...(mostly mine, including the huge bag Naomi is carrying...!). Sadly, I didn't get a photo of Liz - she bought lots of wool, and is planning to knit like crazy before her baby arrives on the 31st of December!

We just did one class last year, to give us a bit more time to browse. We learned how to crochet with wire and beads, and made lovely beaded bracelets - I'll get a post on that uploaded soon.

At the end of a great day, we had a relaxing evening and dinner. Naomi and I, plus husbands, took the chance on Sunday, after church in the morning, to go to the Tower of London. I was able to get the four of us in free with work, so it was a great way to spend the afternoon.

Another sucessful trip to the Knitting and Stitching Show - already looking forward to 2015!