I have been interested in many crafts and handiwork my entire life. I have dabbled in so many different things! Oftentimes, I’ll do a little one-off project to try something out and move along. Knitting stuck for some reason. But even though I enjoy the other activities, they are usually fleeting.
Case in point. Surly and I decided that our trip to Rhinebeck was fun, but too expensive to warrant another go. So, we looked into a “local” event in Loveland, Colorado called Interweave Maker Festival that would mean no hotel or car rental fees. Yay! We wanted to take a class but couldn’t find a knitting class that suited us. We decided to sign up for the “Chased and Knotted Cuff” taught by Anne Mitchell. She said it was for beginners. Hey! We know nothing!!
The plan hit a small snag when Sally and hubby bought a vacation home in Tucson and would be there when the class was to take place. It meant a lot of extra coordination and travel, but we made it work.
The class was great! Sally and I ended up being the only real novices…everyone else had taken a class from Anne before. Anne had everything set up for us. We each had our own fully stocked workstation.
The bracelet started out as a pure silver strip of metal and two pure silver wires. Pure silver is almost 100% silver whereas sterling silver is only 92%. We found out what annealing is. It was fun to learn new stuff!
Anne took us through it all step-by-step. She would demonstrate and then we would do it ourselves.
Here the wire has been annealed, bent, and annealed again. Then it was hammered flat. We had to use a blowtorch and everything!! The next picture shows it several steps later:
After this, a sterling silver cup was soldered on for the center stone and the bracelet bent into shape. There was pickling and anodizing and whatever else she told us to do!! Here are the results:
Sally’s Chased and Knotted Cuff
Susan’s Chased and Knotted Cuff
Yep. We made those! I still can’t believe it. Yes, it cost 3 times what it would have cost to buy. No, I am not going to become a jewelry maker. BUT, it was really fun for a one-day experience! I highly recommend thinking outside of the box and trying something new. It was very interesting being so “green.” I felt like some of the students I have in my knitting classes where the content is just out of their reach.
The next day we spent at the Maker Festival Market, which included both yarn and beads. Then off to Tucson:
View of the mountains
Poolside
There are two cute yarn shops in Tucson, and we did some damage at Grandma’s Spinning Wheel! I made this cute little Derecho when I got back, just in time for the warmer weather. The yarn is Queensland Brighton Beach, color Orange Cup Coral. It only took 3 skeins, but I had purchased six! The extra has already been sold to a peep.
I’m not a huge fan of summer knitting but I LOVE this top. The pattern is great.
PS to Susanne: You said it so well! Thank you!
Catalina Foothills? Beautiful area!
Your Derecho is really cute!
Comment by Marilyn V — May 3, 2024 @ 8:21 pm
Ohmigosh. What an exciting craft to dabble in! Anything with a blowtorch would require the courage of a saint, in my opinion. I have a friend in Tucson. Sally picked a great place to vacation in. That Derecho in that yarn is unbelievably gorgeous, IMHO. Chloe
Comment by Chloe — May 4, 2024 @ 12:18 pm
P?S. Forgot to say; You created a beautiful piece! Chloe
Comment by Chloe — May 4, 2024 @ 12:21 pm
Congrats that is a gorgeous bracelet! both of them!. I make it a point as an aging boomer, to learn something new each year. Try to practice it and see if I will continue as “another” hobby. For example since September and with only one week left to finish, I and 11 others have carved a “great Grey Owl”. it is being painted and mounted on “habitat” and hopefully will look nice somewhere in my home. 6 years ago I learned to play pickleball and love it to this day. Even within my chosen crafts of knitting and cross stitch, I have tried to use a new technique or skill within my chosen crafts, brioche knitting, cross stitching on 40 count linen etc…I think challenging ourselves is one way to keep the grey matter moving and exercised!!
Comment by Susanne — May 7, 2024 @ 7:36 pm
Those bracelets are beautiful, well done to both of you. My husband is a silversmith/jeweler and while I’ve been tempted to try my hand at it, the torch and soldering intimidated me. I think it’s the flame, I’m able to solder stained glass panels.
And you’re right, it’s good to try new things and get out of our comfort zones–keeps us alive.
Comment by Anne C. — May 14, 2024 @ 4:35 pm