Knitting Dragonflies

I had this pattern and wanted to make it for quite some time. After much dithering about the yarn to use. I choose some of my hand spun super wash merino.  And picked out some beads. At first I thought I was going to leave the beads out, then I thought, seriously, take a chance and I decided to use them! I had a hard time finding a color of bead to use that looked good. I  started the pattern, and frogged it once then went crazy and decided to use a variety of colors of beads to pick up with two predominate colors in my handspun. The method I chose to use for knitting with beads was the traditional way, string them all on and slip them down when needed. It worked ok, with this amount of beads (108 beads), but if I was using more, I would attempt the crochet method, (see links below) The pattern calls for the beads to be applied in 5 rows in a twisted rib pattern, I was pleased that it was easier than I anticipated. I found several good blog posts on knitting with beads.

I’ve had an energy spurt with the onset of spring and nicer weather. Thank goodness the sun has shown up, just in time. Here is what I have going on over here…. I pledged to finish my simple diamond lace shawl, and I am working on it! [ rav link ] I frogged my Kumara bed socks   [ rav link ] and decided I would use some of my hand dyed. I picked my Spicy Mama color way   I was anxious to see how it would knit up…just getting started, but I’m very pleased with the colors. I had some round bamboo handles in my stash that I have never used, I found a pattern by Patons, a nice cabled bag pattern , and decided I need a sunshine color for it. [ rav link ] I kettle dyed up several skeins of this I think it will make a pretty summer bag. I have been spinning with a girlfriend of mine, who is moving back to Michigan soon. She is the only spinner I know down here! Even though she is a new wheel spinner, she has already started wrapping and coil spinning! I am finishing