Monday 7 January 2013

French Knitting...Jane's way

My silversmithing class restarts tomorrow and with all my Christmas posts last year I did not have time to show you the last 2 projects I completed in the autumn term. One is a rather interesting chain made from square wire which I will save for another time but the other is my French "knitting".
Before I show you this I must just update you with my little daffodils on my kitchen side as yesterday I came down to see this...


My heart really does skip a beat to see my first daffodil. As you all know they are my favourite flowers and to me they signify the coming springtime. There are more flower heads coming up and I will photograph and show you as they appear.
So, back to the French knitting.





I bought 2 French Knitters, one is the bee and the other is the Wonder knitter made by Clover. I soon decided that the bee knitter produced a chain that was too fine so I decided to use the Wonder knitter and experiment. I first used some copper wire. After some practice I used silver plated wire and also added small beads.













The chains produced by this larger French knitter are gorgeous. The are almost web like in appearance. I made several and of course my darling daughter snapped one up and wore it a lot over Christmas. They look really spider like and perfect with "Little Black Dresses". In the summer I plan to make some with lighter coloured beads.
For my own Christmas parties I made 2 different length chains and attached them together to form a double strand necklace.
It is so hard to photograph but I have tried..







You can just see here that I have joined the two strands. These are tiny black Czech glass beads I have added. You thread all the beads onto the wire before you start "knitting" and then bring them in every 4-6 "stitches". I love the way they look suspended within the wire.










And here is my pot of daffs used as a handy prop. The chains are not suited to bracelets as they would get too crushed but as a necklace they are quite a talking point.

My challenge card today is a cheerful birthday card using a Penny Black Betsy Bluebell image. It is for sale here in my Etsy shop I still have my winter sale on, just enter the code WINTER2012 to receive a massive 25% off (not applicable to shipping costs).





I coloured her with my Promarkers and highlighted using Prismacolor pencils. The backing papers are some sparkly First Edition papers and also a download from yonks ago. My birthday sentiment is LOTV and I used some gorgeous blue satin edged organza ribbon.











I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Stamping for the weekend anything goes
Crafty Catz Anything goes # 164
Cute Cards Thursday  Something new #250 my new is my ribbon.
Pan Pastels anything goes #1
Totally Gorjuss anything goes with ribbon
Penny Black Saturday Blues
Stamping sensations friendship
Penny Black and More Love is in the air
Bearly Mine something old something new #67 My old are the backing papers, my new is the ribbon
Simon Says Stamp new something my new is my ribbon.
Ooh la la Happy Birthday #121
Make it Monday Linky Party #122
A and T Emerald Faeries Celebration #39
Forever Friends Monthly challenge Birthdays

We are still in dire need of some sunshine here in the UK, despite the forecast at the weekend for some sunshine it certainly didn't happen in the south. At least it remains mild for the time of the year. Our dancing class returns tonight and I think it is the turn of the rumba for our next 3 weeks. I do love this "dance of love" ;0)

Have a good week,

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x


32 comments:

  1. Dear Jane,

    What a beautiful daffodil, so springly and cheering! And that knitting you've made - I am amazed! I have never tried one of those "knitting dolls" (I only have seen the doll-ones, that bee is so cute!), but I was familiar the technique BUT I didn't realize they could be used to make such pretty jewelry too! I've said this many times earlier but there's no end to your ideas and talent!! Those necklaces are stunning!

    I wish you wonderful new week, and kisses to Billy! It's cold here (-20C) so your post brought some badly needed sunshine!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  2. I remember using a version of that when I was a child. Gorgeous jewellery. I love your cute little card too. Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.
    Pinky

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  3. Hi Jane, thanks for sharing your bright spring-y daffodil! It gives you hope for the warmer times, doesn't it? You are so creative with your jewelry.. that is very chic! Love seeing your cards, too. You're an amazing woman with your art and dancing, bravo!
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. What a brilliant idea for the necklace and what a great effect too!! I use one of those Clover knitters for my bag handles when I make them, I use three strands of yarn and make a tight fabric. They're very versatile little machines.
    How lovely to see your daffodil, none here yet but paperwhite narcissus really soon, I hope.
    Enjoy your dancing. :)
    V xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  5. Super design i really like the papers thanks for joining in this week.

    Kerry DT Leader PanPastel Uk

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  6. Such a pretty card and the PB stamp is a real cutie.
    Thank you for joining the Love is in the Air challenge at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x

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  7. I have a bee knitter sitting on the top of my craft wardrobe, would never of thought to try this. Looks stunning. Gorgeous sweet card too Jane. So pleased I dropped by from MIM. Love Daffys too, awhile before we will see any here. Carolxx

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  8. The 'knitted' and beaded necklaces are amazing, Jane! I have wondered how you get that effect so it was very interesting seeing this post! Love the little card and the perky little daffodil :)
    Wishing you a happy week.
    Helen x

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  9. Hi Jane, Love the mini daffy, I have one also and boy does it grow up fast! I plant them outside in the spring and have had some success the next year for Springtime. Love the "knitted" necklace. I have a few of the French Knitters, although I didn't know they were call that. I have done this with my older granddaughter and she got a kick out of it until she got bored!!! Love the bee, I have a person and a mushroom.
    The necklace is stunning and I think it would look lovely against a little black dress.
    Sweet card too.
    xoRobin❤

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  10. the daffodil is lovely, i can't wait for spring; your jewelry is gorgeous - it looks so delicate and i love how the beads seem to float in around the chains. your betsy card is so sweet and i love the blue/green and yellow together. thank you so much for playing along with our 'love is in the air' theme at penny black and more this month.
    linda

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  11. Cor blimey ... beautiful, beautiful necklace.... might invest in one of these gadgets myself... Used a cotton reel when I was a child for French knitting.... Superb work!
    Thanks for joining us in this weeks PanPastel challenge
    Eileen xx

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  12. The French knitter takes me right back to my childhood will be used to make them out of old cotton reels - do you remember that?

    A very pretty card Jane and a really eye-catching colour palette.

    Thank you so much to joining our Friendship theme at Stamping Sensations and Penny Black and More challenges this month.

    B x

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  13. Wow, Jane that necklace is amazing! I could have never thought that you can knit wire with those things. Your bee looks like my knitting doll (which is of course too small for wire) but the other one has to be something special! You can create so many new things with the wire.
    Have a lovely week! x Teje

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  14. Wow Jane, the chain is stunning, clever you. Your card is very sweet too. I also love daffs, mostly because you can fill the house up for a couple of quid.
    Happy New Year
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  15. Adorable image on your card Jane, love the design and colors as well. I love daffodils too and can't wait for spring, after the New Year I am ready for winter to be over lol. Thanks for joining us at Make It Monday!

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  16. gorgeous card and a cute image. love the jewellery work, so pretty. and yes, daffodils always make me smile! Thanks for joining us on our first challenge for 2013 at CraftyCatz! Kim x

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  17. hi Jane, fabulous and sweet card!
    Thanks for sharing at Penny Black and more, good luck for the draw;-))m

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  18. Hi Jane, I love the necklace and cards. What a fun and interesting knitting technique.
    I'm glad it turned out so well.

    I'll send you my e-mail.
    Happy New Year from snowy America,

    Annex
    PlumCreek22

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  19. Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Penny Black & More @ Allsorts and stamping sensations challenges, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  20. Good evening Jane!...Your daffodil is sitting there so bright and cheerful...just perfect to brighten up this very dull day...It hasn't been good at all for crafting!
    I love your French knitting with the wire and beads....it looks so very pretty and delicate and I'll look forward to seeing more designs in the summer! (love the pic next to your daffodil pot)
    Wishing you a lovely evening,
    Susan x

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  21. ...And then I see your sunny yellow daffodil, here! It seems to have inspired your colors for your latest card, too! Can't wait to see what you create in your class- I know you'll share, as time allows! Love this knitted and beaded necklace- stunning! :o)

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  22. oh she is just adorable Jane, what a sweet image! Thank you for joining in with the FF monthly challenge

    Your french knitting is amazing too, my daughter received a French Knitting "tool" as a stocking filler...I must show her what you've been up to!

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  23. Wow your jewellery is stunning Jane! Very unique! Lovely card too, thank you for taking part in the Forever Friends Monthly Challenge.
    Laura xx

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  24. WOW AWESOME necklace Jane! stunning! love it, Cute card too! Great to see you at Totally Gorjuss this week, hugs Samantha :0)

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  25. A sweet card! Thank you for joining in with our Friendship theme at Stamping Sensations challenge this month!

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  26. A gorgeous card with fab papers and WOW! What a stunning necklace, really beautiful. Thank you for joining in with the PanPastel challenge blog
    Lindsay xx

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  27. What a cute card, love the image and the colours! Many thanks for joining us at the Emerald Faeries Challenge. hugs, judit x

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  28. very Beautiful creation, thanks for joining us at Stamping sensations this month and good luck!

    Hugs
    Francesca

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  29. Great knitting and great card alos. Thanks for joining at A & T Emerald Faeries: Celebrations
    Hugs
    Dewi

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  30. Interesting post :o) Thanks for joining us at Forever Friends Monthly 'Birthdays' Challenge. Good luck in the draw and hope to see you again very soon. Your card is lovely
    Diane x

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  31. Great card, cute image, love your necklace too very effective. Thanks for sharing at OLLCB x

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  32. I absolutely adore this birthday card. Great design with the box, layers and perfectly coloured image too. Thanks for playing at Forever Friends monthly challenge and good luck. Hope to see you back next month for a new challenge. Bettina xx

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Jane x