Polymer & Knitted Scarf

You may recall these polymer clay pins I made.  I have been enjoying them on this new scarf I knitted.  I loved knitting this scarf so much, I just ordered more yarn and am looking forward to making another.  The next one will be longer and wider.  Can't wait.  (Stop back on Saturday for the simple pattern).

Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Arizona

 My husband and I were walking hand in hand and in front of us was our daughter and her husband also walking hand in hand.  So sweet.

A magnificent ivory covered, mosaic staircase located in the arts and crafts village of Tlaquepaque in Sedona.

An antique wagon wheel and cart structure.  Tlaquepaque is one of my favorite places to photograph.

Chinese Fingernail Guards

My black and white polymer clay interpretation of antique fingernail protectors.

I sculpted a textured hand of polymer clay to display the above polymer clay fingernail protectors I made for a competition. 

Above:  In dynastic China, the upper class people grew long fingernails in order to distinguish themselves from the laborers. Manual labor was virtually impossible with excessively long fingernails, so long nails separated the working class from the aristocracy. This type of fingernail protector or guard ensured their nails would not get damaged.

Shells in Sedona

 We stopped at a beautiful shop called Cocopah located in the arts and crafts village of Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Az.

Even though it was full of beads, kits and jewelry, all I could see were the shells.

Oh, they were little little gems of color, shape and texture.

Photographing Sedona, Ariozna

 Gorgeous blue sky.

 Gorgeous staircases.

And a breathtaking grotto.

Sedona, Arizona

We took a day trip to Sedona, Arizona to gallery hop.  I love Bruce Butler's sculptures (click HERE); they are life size with unusual metal pieces welded into them.

 They are full of beautiful textures, warm colors and strong lines.

 His faces are exquisite.  I'm inspired, but I'm still knitting my heart away.

Not Done with Love Knot

 This scarf is 70" long and 10" wide made with Unger yarn, G hook and Solomon's Knot crochet stitch (click HERE).

I thought I would never use up all this yarn, but after the large shawl and this scarf, I only have 1 skein left.  I'm planning on a cowl pattern I found on Pinterest.

A Statement Scarf

I loved making this one!  It is the Solomon's Knot (click HERE) triangle scarf crocheted with Trellis yarn.  Tie it at the back of the neck....................

 Tie it on the side..........................

Tie it in front...............................or how cute it would be tied at the waist over a pair of jeans?

Ongoing Love for Love Knot

A long, doubled scarf crocheted with a cotton blend yarn, a size H crochet hook and using the Solomon's Knot stitch (click HERE).

Progress & Possibilities 2012

I am doing the happy dance!!!!  One of my entries in the 2012 International Polymer Clay Association's international competition "Progress & Possibilities" won first place in two categories!  Thank you judges and thank you members for voting for my piece.  I am so honored.

Functional Objects - Intermediate:

First Place:  Marlene Brady - Sea Nymph

Members’ Choice - Intermediate

First Place:  Marlene Brady - Sea Nymph

To see all the entires, the categories and the winners, click HERE.

Love the Love Knot Stitch

 The Love Knot, Lovers Knot, Solomon's Knot or Hail Stone Stitch -- different names for the same fascinating crochet stitch.  I am obsessed with this stitch.  It is so much fun.  I found a free  Rachel Choi pattern for a triangle scarf on Crochet Spot.com (click HERE) and YouTube video instructions from Naztazia (click HERE) on how to do the Solomon's Knot.  I've been collecting Solomon's Knot patterns and pinning them to my Pinterest board (click HERE).  Help yourself.

I added one of my polymer clay magnetic clips and tucked in the edges of the scarf.  Another light weight, warm scarf.

Half Double Crochet Scarf

 

I had exactly enough yarn to finish this scarf.  So cool; love when that happens.  You know where this is going right?  Now I have empty drawers just waiting to be filled.  Want to learn how to crochet a half double crochet stitch?  Here's a YouTube video instruction from HowCast.com (click HERE).  Because I used a very bulky yarn, I used a size K crochet hook.  Most scarves are between 15 and 20 stitches wide, so they work up fast.

Fast Double Crochet

Just simple double crochet using a "J" hook and bulky yarn.  Easy to follow YouTube video instructions from HowCast.com (click HERE).  I have been using up quite a bit of my bulky yarn odds and ends.  Even though the yarns were different weights, textures and from various manufacturers, I like the end results.  Super soft, warm and comfy.

Drop Stitch Scarf

 Knitted drop stitch scarf.  I followed the easy to follow YouTube video instructions from Planet Purl (click HERE) and used up some leftover yarn.  As soon as I heard her say, "you can knit 2 or more rows in between the drop stitches or vary the amount", I knew it was for me.

I have started out the year knitting, crocheting and learning new patterns.  I'm using up my yarn stash and am so happy with the results.

Turquoise Shawl

I used a "J" hook and a shell in shell crochet stitch.  Crochet Geek made a great video with instructions on how to do the shell stitch (and end up with a scarf!) -- click HERE.  I edged the shawl with a simple 5 double crochet shell.  I strung the coral and turquoise necklaces at a 30" and 28" lengths and loved how they looked together.  However, when I wore them, they were too heavy to be comfortable, so I need to re-string them.

Mohair Cowl

This is the same Foundation-less Double Crochet stitch as the beige scarf (click HERE), only I used a "J" crochet hook and crocheted with a lace weight mohair.  I crocheted it in the round for a cowl.  Light as air and very warm.