Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Garden Twine Coasters.

I was inspired recently to try to make something useful for our house- coasters! I am very aware that none of this furniture is ours, and so I am vigilant about making sure my husband has something underneath his glass at all times. He hates it. But I think he’ll make sure to use it if he knows I made it!
I don’t have much yarn, so I was excited to try using “garden twine” from Target’s One Spot (everything is about a dollar). I had bought it a year ago, thinking that I might use it for our wedding, however not much of it was! So I thought, why not? 

I started off using this pattern, however I ran into some difficulties because I didn’t have the right needle size. I started off using some plastic circular needles (they can from a beginner’s kit; they were a size small than suggested), but they did not like the twine. 
I unraveled it all and started again with metal needles, a size larger than suggested…
I realized very quickly that this fiber is not stretchable, is coarse, and thicker than what was used in that project... this meant that the coaster was now almost the size of a place mat! What to do? Keep going, even though I had not set out to make a place mat, or unravel once again.
I unraveled and amended the pattern to this:

Materials
    Size 7 knitting needles
    gauge: 4 sts/inch, 5 rows/1 inch over stockinette
    yarn needle to weave in loose ends
    garden twine
    Finished Size: 3.75 stitches Square (approx.)

The Pattern
    Cast on 15 stiches
    Work 2 rows in seed stitch: K1, *P1, K1* repeat from * across
    RS Row: K1, P1, K11, P1, K1
    WS Row: K1, P13, K1
    Repeat the RS and WS rows until you have completed a total of approximately 16 rows completed 
       (you decide when it looks square!)
    Work 2 rows in seed stitch: K1, *P1, K1* repeat from * across
    Bind off, keeping with seed stitch pattern (K1, *P1, K1* repeat from * across)
    Weave in loose ends
    Block if needed (which it did)
After blocking.

The first one I made came out very lopsidedly trapezoidal. I research how to fix this, and my second one only came out minimally trapezoidal. I researched blocking here, and then did it, trying to make them as square-like as possible. I put some heavy knitting and crochet books on top to keep it flat.

The first one I made came out larger and lopsided, the second, more square.
Once they were dry, I added a small border with seed beads to add a little pizzazz and color! I only had black thread, so you can see through the green glass beads- its growing on me. The silver foil lined glass beads are left over from my wedding as well (from when I stupidly thought that I could make my own veil two days before my wedding).


Partway done with the beading.
A few notes:
See the different sizes? I don't mind it at all!
  • The skin on the fingers of my left hand are slightly irritated because of how scratchy the twine is.
  • You might have a little trouble if you’re a tight knitter like I am. I’d definitely use metal needles if you’re using the twine.
  • Hiding the seed bead string can be tricky. You could always knit with them on your twine, or add a border of twine and add the beads on that strand. (I’ve never done this, so I was too intimidated to try- I’m always afraid that I will underestimate how much fiber I will need and run out. I’m not very good with changing colors. Also, the twine is so thick, I’m not sure how changing strands would work. )
  • You could always try doing a double strand of fiber to add color, instead of beading.
  • Completed coasters.
  • You could use embroidery floss to add a decorative edging as well. 


I think they are coming out pretty cute ( still have to finish the beading)! They are definitely one of a kind…

I think they could look great in a shabby sheik décor living room or on an outside patio table.What do you think? (Is shabby sheik another way to say "poorly made"? lol)




I'll be linking up over at Skip to My Lou's Made by You Monday, Boogieboard Cottage’s Masterpiece Monday, Ladybug Blessing’s Handmade Tuesday, Debbie Doo’s Linky, Saavy Southern Style’s Wow us Wednesday,  Fabric Bows and More's Will See it Wednesday, Diddle Daddle’s Amaze me Monday, Sew Much Ado's We Did it Wednesday!,  Sassy Sites!’s Summer Fun, Tea Rose Home's Link Party, The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff,  Thirty Handmade Days' Pity Party, Just Married with Coupon's Saturday Stalk Remix, Be different, Act Normals’ Show and Tell Saturdays, Someday Craft's Whatever Goes Wednesday, the Sundae Hop with Baby Talk without the Babble, I Heart Naptime's Sundae Scoop, and Under the Table and Dreaming's Sunday Showcase.


P.S.- Check out my hubby's blog here.


Song of the day: All Time Lover by Will Young. I've never heard of him until recently, but this song is so bittersweet- I can't get over it!

14 comments:

Debbiedoos said...

You did a great job on these coasters. Twine is amazing all the uses. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party. I hope you visit some gals and get some new friends.

Gillian said...

These are really quite clever (and cute)! I know why you're insistent about coasters though... I've experienced firsthand the damage done by a glass without one.

I look forward to reading more about your life in S. Africa. (I love to travel, and have always wanted to go!) So you know, I'm newly following (you back) via The Sundae Hop. I hope to see you there again this weekend!

Gillian from Baby Talk without the Babble

Red Couch Recipes said...

The coasters are so pretty and natural. What an experience you are having in South Africa -- read quite a few of your posts. The different kinds of food, and the lack thereof, are so interesting to me...no all-purpose flour? I bet there is no peanut butter too. Have a great day. Joni

Mo'Betta said...

Fun coasters! Thanks for stopping by!

Marnie said...

Cool coasters! My Nanna, taught me to knit when I was a little girl. She passed away nine years ago and I miss her heaps. I don't regret many things in life, but I do regret not paying more attention to her knitting lessons and keeping up the practice as I've forgotten so much!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today and looking at mr Rizogalo recipe. To answer your question about the powdered milk, you don't have to use it, you can just use regular or skim, whatever you have. I just like the creaminess you get from the powdered milk. I hope you get to make it, let me know how it turns out.
Looking forward to reading more of your blog. I'm your newest follower.
x Marnie

Kristy said...

Thanks for the sweet comment! I'm happily following you back!
xo,
Kristy

Summer said...

Thanks for stopping by! I'm following back!

Marie@Procrastinating in Pink said...

I love those coasters, especially the beading! Thanks for playing along today...I got you entered for the giveaway! Thanks for following! Following you back! :)

Autism Connects said...

Hi from your latest follower. Just calling by from Sunday Blog hops. Great idea. Wish I had time to start craft again. Be sure to check out me out at www.autismconnects.blogspot.com. Sarah

jennifer @ what would jen do said...

thanks for stopping by! I love the coasters. Moving to south africa from AZ must be quite a culture shock, I hope to read more about what it's like there.

Marianne said...

Such fun coasters, I think they look great. Thank you for sharing.

Mindy said...

These look fun! Thanks for stopping by my blog--I look forward to seeing more of your projects! =)

Screaming Sardine said...

These are so cute. I was thinking of knitting with twine. (I just learned to knit). I really like this, so I'm going to try it.

Thanks for sharing it.

Cheers,
Tracy Screaming Sardine

Little City Farm said...

The seed beading is a great addition. Very pretty. I'm pretty sure I would not have had the patience to keep at this. Good going.