...continue to crochet around your tube is a spiral fashion, adding one bead to every stitch. Right. And I'm Margaret Thatcher. The problem was, I was trying to crochet a thread slightly thicker than a hair, with a crochet hook that had a hook end the size of a pin. And I've needed new glasses for a least six months. And as I was sitting on the bed, a completely idiotic place to attempt this for the first time I kept fidgeting. And every time I moved, I flipped the bead tray on my lap. And the beads kept flying everywhere except onto my needle. Bead spinner, who needs a bead spinner. I had a BEAD LAUNCHER!
That was two night ago and I'm still finding miniscule beads in my bed. A is starting to chuckle just a bit less every time he digs one out of some part of his body. Sigh. I should have waited at least until the books came from the library before I ordered the kit. Then I would have known that only a moron would order an extra fine (translation: beads I can barely see, a needle I can't see at all, and thread no thicker than my hair) crocheted rope kit for her first trial run. So that's what came in the mail and in my defense - at least I gave it a shot.
First I had to string the beads. Uh huh. I dumped them all in a tray and started stabbing the non-existent needle at them. They flew up and about my bed like gnats. Swatting at them in an attempt to catch them in midair didn't help. I stuck my cheek with the needle. Twice. Finally I got a motion that only flipped a few into the air and after two and a half hours, I managed to string two yarns of beads. I was exhausted and had cramps in both hands and blood on my face. Not very Pretty.
Next, the instructions said to crochet a circle and slip one bead onto the outside of every stitch. Yep, THIS I could do. Boy, was that circle tiny. Then, I was supposed to crochet the next row, adding a bead each time. It never happened. After two hours of sweating and cussing and crying, not necessarily in that order, I said to A: "Screw this - I'm gonna knit it." Right.
I HAVE 0000 knitting needles, yes I do. So I dug them out of the "things I'll probably never use again because they were so awful in the first place" drawer and scraped off the rust. Boy, was that darn thread slippery. And having all those little beads in the way didn't help either. After half and hour - I gave up and sat all alone in my wrinkled, bead covered sheets. A had wisely retreated downstairs to "work". Then, in the proverbial flash of inspiration, except mine was the flashing of the aura that precedes a migraine, I thought - hey, I'll just use a thicker thread!
So I pulled one of my favorite fine metallic knitting yarns out and ran it along with the bead thread to knit an i-cord, moving the tiny little beads along and adding them helter skelter into the stitches. And it WORKED! But it needed a little more pizazz, so I frogged, and threaded some assorted number 8 beads and some Japanese drops from another project onto the metallic thread, adding them randomly to the i-cord as I went. And guess what - IT WORKED! and IT LOOKED GREAT! And I'm really happy, well, except for the fact that I don't think I'll ever get all those beads up. But I'm going to try again, this time with bigger beads. And a bigger needle. And at the table. But hey, what fun would that be?
Hi again Claudia, How are your latest knitting and crocheting adventures going? For some reason, I have become obsessed with knitting socks since the Olympics started. I have made three pairs since the opening ceremony and am determined to finish a fourth pair this week! I don't know what got into me - cabin fever maybe 'cause it has been cold and I have been stuck indoors. Currently, I am also getting ready for a local art and craft show in March and am making all kinds of stuff - hats, felted purses, flowers, freeform shawls and vests. Needless to say, I am feeling a bit crazed right now and going in a lot of directions at once. My cat is trying to help but we have different views on what that means. In addition, I am working on a book and have a meeting with the publisher in a few weeks. What fun! Hope all is well in your world and keep me posted on what you are doing. Chat soon. Janice Rosema
Posted by: Janice Rosema | February 22, 2006 at 02:00 PM
Claudia, I really enjoyed reading about the battle of the beads and sink or swim is lovely. I'm so glad I can print off a picture to add to my inspiration file. I'm still working on my first scrumble bag, also blue and it's getting bigger by the minute. Thank you for being so kind and generous.
Carole
Posted by: Carole Kokinis | January 30, 2006 at 06:50 PM
Hi Claudia
we belong to some of the same groups. Great blog, I really enjoyed reading about your experiences with beads, glad it's not just me!!
Please don't be put off from sharing and helping, where would I be if all the wonderful people like you stopped giving advice and tips?
Imho if people don't want their advice shared or passed on, why give it out in the first place?
Kind regards
Ann
Posted by: Ann | January 25, 2006 at 05:47 PM
Hi Claudia,
I belong to the FF crochet group, even tho I rarely post. I just had to let you know how VERY much I've enjoyed reading your blog for the past hour!
You have a lovely sense of humor and a gift of using wondeful phrases that makes me feel like you are chatting with ME!
I hardly ever read blogs, but I am certainly glad that I stopped to read yours. Keep this very interesting and most enjoyable blog going...
Hugs
elizabeth
Posted by: elizabeth anglikowski | January 25, 2006 at 12:53 AM
Hi Claudia,
I belong to the FF crochet group, even tho I rarely post. I just had to let you know how VERY much I've enjoyed reading your blog for the past hour!
You have a lovely sense of humor and a gift of using wondeful phrases that makes me feel like you are chatting with ME!
I hardly ever read blogs, but I am certainly glad that I stopped to read yours. Keep this very interesting and most enjoyable blog going...
Hugs
elizabeth
Posted by: elizabeth anglikowski | January 25, 2006 at 12:52 AM