As I am busy rewriting THE CHAIN GANG, I’m also working on the projects and recipes to be included in the book. The Hookers are hosting a Make and Take in the book, which meant I had to come up with something that could be made quickly and with basic skill.
I like crocheted jewelry and thought of a bracelet I made for myself that I really liked. It was also quick and easy to make. It seemed like the perfect answer except the yarn I’d used was some obscure stuff I’d gotten on sale.
It became a Goldylocks game of finding a replacement. This yarn was too thick, this was too thin, and this one didn’t look right.
I had experimented in making necklaces before and discovered that cord worked nice for them. It took some trial and error to figure out that I liked hemp cord the best and I'm still experimenting to decide which weight works the best. Then I have to figure out what beads to use.
When I was making one for myself, I didn’t pay exact attention to the process, but I have to have exact instructions to put it in the book. You can’t just say play with it until it works out.
Writing instructions is hard. I can mean something one way, but someone else reading it can take it quite differently. And over explaining doesn’t help. I find the best way to check a pattern is to wait awhile until writing it isn’t fresh in my mind and then try to follow the instructions.
The above is the first new version of the bracelet. I plan to try different weights of cord and different stitches and then I will road test them by wearing them and decide which one I like the best.
6 comments:
My grandson has a kit containing "parachute" cord which makes bracelets, key chains, etc. The cord is smooth and comes in many colors. It is turning up in craft stores all over, and I even saw some at Home Depot. His kit came from a Boy Scout store. Might be a different look to try !
Ack! The new Betsy Devonshire mystery I've been struggling with has as a plot point a retired bosun's mate's attempt to sell a kit for making lanyards. The US Navy's enlisted man's manual for Boatswain's Mate Third and Second Class has a detailed set of instructions for Marlinspike work. The variety of weaves is amazing. If you look for it on the Internet, it's available.
You're creative in so many ways, Betty. I really like that bracelet!
Linda Osborn, I'm familiar with parachute cord and made a bracelet out of it. I thought it would be neat to use it in a book where the cord actually got used to rescue someone.
Linda O. Johnston, I am wearing the bracelet as I type. It's fun to think of different versions to make.
Monica, the lanyard kit sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.
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