23 November 2015

Home for the holidays

Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Do you have children or teenagers coming for the Thanksgiving holiday? If so, you know that when the adults are sitting in a slight stupor digesting their meal, the younger members of the family will be asking what's going to happen next. It's almost as inevitable as the question that came the day before: "Are we there yet?"

And even if you don't have little people arriving, then it's fun to have some activities planned for everyone to join in. So for today’s “Knitting Ahead” idea, here’s a great project that's fun and easy – make some bracelets out of yarn!

Getting the various items together can be the first fun expedition, and then turning the yarn first into I‐cord and then into bracelets will help occupy many a happy hour together.
Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
These are the Ryedale Bracelets and the pattern includes detailed notes and step‐by‐step instructions, so you’ll soon be making some bracelets like a pro!

I used Patons Grace yarn in bright zingy colours of turquoise, green and hot pink. However, this 100% cotton yarn comes in all kinds of shades and there are some strong masculine colours too, so you can select whatever colour combinations you fancy. You will need 1 ball of yarn in each of 3 or more colours to give you lots of options.
Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Then to make the I‐cord, you'll either need some double‐pointed needles, a Knitting Nancy (such as my old faithful above), or an automated cord‐maker. These can produce lengths of I‐cord in a very short space of time, but I also like the knit method too as I can sit and watch TV while producing a whole string of i-Cord.

We have three different methods for producing i-Cord in our Reversible Knitting Stitches book, so please have a look there to see which method will suit you best.
Ryedale Bracelet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Then one more item you'll need is a pack of "paracord buckles". These are side‐release buckles with a slight curve on them to fit your wrist. I purchased black ones but they also come in some wonderfully colourful versions too.

You probably already have all the other items you'll need such as a tapestry needle, a crochet hook, measuring tape and a pair of scissors, so then you'll be good to go.

I also purchased an "Ezzzy" bracelet‐making jig (yes, there really are that number of zzz's in the middle of the name)! This is not strictly necessary, but it does seem to make the braiding easier. I like the way you can set the jig to the exact size you require and it certainly keeps everything good and tight while braiding.
Ryedale Bracellet by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Once you have the I‐cord prepared, you can set it up on the jig then you (and your small helpers) can start knotting away. Before you know it, they'll be finishing off the ends and showing off their brand‐new bracelet – and probably receiving orders from everyone else in the room for one for them too!

And just a final note for knitters: these are not only decorative but incredibly useful for holding spare cable needles and so on while you are working, so these will make great gifts for your knitter pals too.

The Ryedale Bracelet pattern is available for instant download from my website here

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your bracelet‐making!

Moira
Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs

Last Blogpost: New pattern – Hamilton Table Runner
"Knitting Ahead" Series Introduction: Autumn is coming!
​Next Up: 
For him – The Grantchester Scarf

Our book: Reversible Knitting Stitches
My Website: www.wyndlestrawdesigns.com
Keywords: Series/Knitting Ahead, Patterns/Accessories,
#knittingahead, autumn, winter, reversible stitch, reversible knitting, I-cord, bracelet, bracelets, children’s activities, braided bracelet, I-cord bracelet, paracord bracelet,

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