Spring Forward with Knit-Crochet Jewels!

Whoo-Hoo!  Spring has finally sprung!  Feeling a little sassy?  Want to take your knitting-crocheting up a notch?  Okay, so you're not into beading, sanding or drilling holes, but you've got plenty of yarn scraps.  



It's everywhere you look ...in your bed, in the bathroom and in more times than not, in your hair.

So why not gather them up and make some yarn bling for yourself, friends and family.  Hey, it's spring ...creativity and ingenuity want to play.  So let them play.  Especially if their playtime means a sharp pair of earrings, a one-of-a-kind necklace or a cool bracelet for you.  And let's not forget the bragging rights.   The Tiffany blue sky's the limit what you can create with yarn.

Can you hear it now?  
"I love your knitted necklace, where did you get it?"  
"Who's the designer?"  
You answer with modesty to spare ..."it's me.  I made it."  Oh yeah, Tiffany & Co. would have serious competition if these were diamonds or cultured pearls.
(crocheted necklace from best-handmade.net) 

But they're your diamond earrings and cultured pearls you made with your own hands and innovation.  How awesome is that?  Pretty awesome.  You can mix colors, textures and weights and create a masterpiece that you can wear for years to come.

(Color-blocked Crochet Necklace - Etsy.com)

I hear you knitters.  Did you forget the knitted jewelry?  Not at all.   You know, it usually goes hand-in-hand.  If you can knit an item, you can crochet it too.   Feast on these:  I like the mix of textures and the mix of pink pastel with grey.

 (Knitted beaded Necklace)

These knitted necklaces from Lily Lariat come with patterns.  So if knitting/crocheting jewelry doesn't come naturally, you can get a little help from a pattern.  I like to call it a road map to my knitting destination.  Unfortunately, I need a GPS to bypass some of the confusing stitches  and weaving.
(Knitted Flower Necklace Pattern - Etsy.com)

(Buttercup Knit Flower Necklace)

No Knitting or Crocheting Necessary

You don't even have to knit or crochet jewelry.  Instructables.com shows you how to create the first necklace you saw. (displayed on the left)

 Felt Balls from Scrap Yarn 

 Materials
wool & alpaca yarn scraps
dish soap
hot water
cold water

You do it in three steps.  Easy Peasy - just Click Here for Instructions.

(Knitted Flower Ring - Etsy.com)

Well, there you have it.  You can pretty much knit or crochet any type of jewelry or not knit and crochet, and still make great jewelry.  Or turn yarn scraps into a necklace with felt balls or even braid or loop the yarn.  As I said before, the Tiffany blue sky's the limit.  Enjoy!

First Tuesday-Third Wednesday Knitting & Crocheting Club at Elkins Park Library - Wednesday, March 19

We had a wonderful second session at Elkins Park Library.  Once again, we increased our craft fold by two.  Welcome, Mary Cocozza and Maggie Goldstein to our humble group.

Kathy was so kind to bake lemon, apple and cherry Hamantaschen to go with our Keurig coffee.  They were delicious!  Thanks again, Kathy.  We're happy to be your test subjects for any future baking projects. (smile.)  

As I said in the last blog, we are an eclectic and talented bunch.  Karen showed  us a felted handbag she made with Entrelac.  It's an intermediate project, but advanced beginners can take a stab at it as long as they follow the pattern, she advised.  Audrey's hat is coming along nicely.  And Joquina was finishing a pink & white baby's hat and blanket for her Einstein Hospital charity project for stillborn and preemie babies.  Whew!  I'm pretty sure she's completed one each session.

I'm sure you all will enjoy the longer days and warmer temperatures ahead.  We hope to see more of your beautiful faces at our next meeting on the First Tuesday of April, which happens to be April Fool's Day.  Be sure to bring your tricks and your projects.  Until then, happy crafting!