The Beaded Bikini Belt

I thought maybe someone out there may know of a young person wanting a (IMHO) kicky little belt to wear. So while reading over my Nicky Epstein book I came across this pattern that was just screaming to become just such a belt. So I here by give you:

The Beaded Bikini Belt.

Please note that I did not string enough beads to put a bead on each loop. On the one I knit up I was using too heavy a bead so only did every other loop. Hope you have fun with the pattern and let me know how yours come out.



Materials:
One skein of Silky Wool Yarn
Size 6 needles
Beads (you’ll need approximately 9 beads for each motif) to be strung on your yarn before knitting commences.
Button
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Gauge: 4.5 sts per inch

** Slip all sts knit wise
***SB1 – Slip one bead

You’re going to need to measure the body in which the belt will be worn. Measure just above the hip level and subtract an inch (or so) for stretch.

Cast on 12 stitches. Follow chart until piece measures desired length ending with Row 32. Belt should rest just on the hips of recipient. Knit the first 7 stitches allowing the remaining stitches (for the fringe) to drop from the needle. On the remaining 7 stitches, knit 3 more rows. Next row – button hole row. Knit two stitches. Bind off middle 3 stitches, knit last two stitches. Turn work, k2, cast on 3 stitches, k2. Knit two more rows and Bind off. Stitch on the button at the other end of the belt; weave in ends; and pull out the stitches for the fringe. At this point you may want to use an iron to straighten out the fringe and make the belt motifs lay down flat.

(Pattern: Imperial bead fringe from Nicky Epstein – Knitting on the Edge)

Row 1 (WS) sl 1, k11, turn
Row 2: SB1, k7, yo, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice.
Row 3: sl1, k3, p1, k8
Row 4: SB1, k7, yo, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 5: sl1, k3, p2, k8
Row 6: SB1, k7, yo, k3, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 7: sl1, k3, p3, k8
Row 8: SB1, k7, yo, k4, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 9: sl1, k3, p4, k8
Row 10: SB1, k7, yo, k5, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 11: sl1, k3, p5, k8
Row 12: SB1, k7, yo, k6, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 13: sl1, k3, p6, k8
Row 14: SB1, k7, yo, k7, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 15: sl1, k3, p7, k8
Row 16: SB1, k7, yo, k8, [yo, k2tog] twice (20 sts)
Row 17: sl1, k3, p8, k8
Row 18: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k7, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 19: Sl1, k3, p6, p2tog, k8
Row 20: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k6, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 21: Sl1, k3, p5, p2tog, k8
Row 22: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k5, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 23: Sl1, k3, p4, p2tog, k8
Row 24: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k4, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 25: Sl1, k3, p3, p2tog, k8
Row 26: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k3, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 27: Sl1, k3, p2, p2tog, k8
Row 28: SB1, k7, yo, k2tog, k2, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 29: Sl1, k3, p1, p2tog, k8
Row 30: SB1, k7, k2tog, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice
Row 31: Sl1, k3, p2tog, k7 (12 sts)
Row 32: SB1, k7, k1 [yo, k2tog] twice

BTW: As I was working this pattern out I was thinking of my friend (who's rather far away right now) better known as the Wry Punster. I'll have to wait until she returns from her class abroad to find out if it is as "kicky" as I think it is.

Keep'em clickin!!

Remains to be seen...

Blogger says I can do this....but can I really post a photo? hmmmm

Meme

Gina tagged me. This one was a brain twister though I think some of these questions have popped up on other meme(s).

10 years ago: I'm the mom of 3 and living with my MIL; I was super thin (like a size 0); drank like a fish (rum, dark straight); smoked like a chimney (2 packs a day); really watched what I was wearing; was working in the male dominated world of car racing as an “executive assistant”; living in the New England state of Connecticut; and in general not that pleased with myself. But totally digging my family!

5 years ago: I became Home Base Mom for not only my kiddies (of which I now have 4) but my cousins as well. My “uniform” of choice now is jeans, flip flops, and t-shirts or sweaters as the weather permits. Am living in my dream location with the Severn River at my feet; still getting a kick outta being a mom (now with a little guy who’s 1yo); doing odd jobs and knitting to my heart’s content. In a nut shell rather happy with my life.

1 year ago: Working in a great little yarn shop in the very happening town of Fells Point, Maryland; still knitting to my heart’s content and designing bits and such for the shop. Volunteering at the school and still digging being a mom.

Yesterday: Ran the boys to swim practice; worked out graph for a new hat to be knit; washed my hair; and went out to dinner with fam and friends then to the City Dock (Annapolis) to watch a free concert by the Naval Academy Band.

Today: Running boys to swim practice and the tall one to his job; knitting new hat – see above; dosing cats for fleas (see, isn’t my life just to f*&^ing exciting!!); starting sweater for the Wyldman cause he had the nerve to grow outta all his other ones.

Tomorrow: I’m allowed to go swimming again (sinus & ear infections have kept me out) and will be doing laps in the river if I don’t get stung. More knitting and checking out patterns to make sure they read properly.

5 snacks I enjoy: Cheez-Its; dark chocolate; Italian gelato; pb&j sandwiches on killer white bread; pickled jalapeno peppers with cheddar cheese on Triskets.

5 bands/singers that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs: The Swinging Neckbreakers; The Reducers; U2; Bonnie Raitt; Dixie Chicks; Toby Keith

Things I would do with $100,000,000: Pay off all debts; move my parents closer to me; set my kiddies up for life; invest; support the Parkinsons charity and travel.

5 locations I'd like to run away to: Alaska; Ireland; New Mexico; Spain, and Bali.

5 bad habits I have: Holding a grudge; cussing like a Marine; buying binge when angry; ignoring my housecleaning (I failed Flylady)

5 things I like doing: Mowing the lawn; knitting; gardening; swimming; visiting friends.

5 things I would never wear: a thong (though I am guilty of knitting one); a string bikini (again guilty of knitting one); flowered pants; big floppy hats; poncho.

5 TV shows I like: CSI; CSI Miami; Antique Road Show; anything National Geographic; Red Green Show.

5 movies I like: This is a really hard one! Only 5?! All Harry Potter; Holes; Creature from the Black Lagoon; Moulin Rouge; Snow White and the 7 Dwarves.

5 famous people I'd like to meet: Steven Speilberg; Nicky Epstein; Stephanie Pearl-McPhee; Ella Fitzgerald (I know this one isn’t possible but neither is Steven Speilberg). I know it’s only 4, I’ll think about this one.

5 biggest joys at the moment: My kiddies and family; living on the Severn; knitting. What more could a grrl want? 5 favorite toys: My digital camera and ball winder – hey, I’m a simple kinda grrl.

I'm tagging Lola and the Wry Punster and my SP5.

good golly

But it's been awhile since my last post! School lets out for the summer and I seem to be busier then ever! The Wyldman is now in swim mode and has practice most everyday of the week. The tall one has been looking (and since procured) a job at the Mall. Miss M is working at an equestrian center in Amissville, Virginia (yes, you could say she's mucking stalls) and loving every minute of it. I don't expect to see her until late August when it's time to get ready for school.....and probably harped upon to get her drivers permit so she can go back to VA every weekend to keep working. In this case I'll back out and allow her dad to deal with this one!

There is some knitting content to come, and bragging about a super wonderful gift from my Secret Pal!!!