She has great ideas! But then most of the people I like are very creative. So here goes.

One of the links I found on making rose beads says that they have tried lots of different flowers to make these and they all work equally well. Leaves how ever do not, they get too slimy she says. Cool. This got me thinking that I think I know someone that might like lavender beads. Hmmmmmmm...... .... Very cool.

ladykarris got me looking for the instructions on how to make these and I was amazed at how simple they can be. And I got to thinking how many I could make in a summer. I have 12 rose bushes and there is only so many that I can dry and store for Craft purposes. And since they make me sneeze now, potpourri is out of the question. So we shall see how this goes.

( Bead making links )

From "Knitty Gritty"
episode DKNG-202

Vickie Howell welcomes Liz Gipson, the managing editor of Spin-Off magazine, to share the inside scoop on how to spin all sorts of fibers. Gipson will cover how to prepare fibers and how to make your own spindle from recycled materials.

Sheep's wool is the most popular fiber among hand spinners because it is versatile and easy to spin. Wool is easier to spin if it's prepared by separating the fibers into a loose, fluffy arrangement. You can buy a fleece and do the washing and preparation yourself (figure A), or if you prefer, you can buy wool that has already been washed, dyed and combed. There are many ways to prepare wool; our expert will demonstrate two basic ways here.

( Combing )

( Carding )

( Resources )

Note they have videos on the website.

From "Knitty Gritty"
episode DKNG-202

Fiber is turned into yarn by adding twist. In this case the twist comes from the spindle. What your hands do is called drafting -- letting the fibers slide past each other and then letting the twist catch them. The size of the yarn is determined by how much fiber is caught in the twist. When you're spinning, your goal is to pay attention to the fiber between your hands -- the fiber that is about to become yarn. Everything else will take care of itself!

( Instructions )

( Resources )

Pay $3.00 apiece for beaded knitting markers? Not I! And not you either, if you follow these few simple steps. You can make your own for much less, even little-to-no-money if you already have a few things on hand.

( Instructions )

From "Knitty Gritty"
episode DKNG-202

You can make a simple spindle using recycled compact disks, a grommet, a small eyehook and a wooden dowel.

( Instructions )

( Resources )

You'll be at home on the range or by the seashore in this seagrass cowgirl hat.
From "Uncommon Threads"
episode DUCT-214

Pam Gillette, of NexGeneration, and Allison Whitlock are crocheting with a very unusual material: seagrass. Beginning with a simple coil of seagrass, Pam crochets the perfect cowgirl hat.

( Instruction )

( Resources )

From "Knitty Gritty"
episode DKNG-206

Anyone who has ever learned to knit has undoubtedly made at least a couple -- and chances are, closer to a gazillion -- scarves! They're easy enough for beginners, but they never really lose their appeal even for more experienced knitters because they're so darn much fun to make, to wear and to give as gifts! Today's guest is knitwear designer Candi Jensen, who is also the author of Knit Scarves!, and she's going to share her designs for three out-of-the-ordinary scarves to get those needles clicking!

The Skinny Scarf requires you to cast on 400 stitches -- but you have to knit only 20 rows, so don't panic! Knit from three shades of a Pima cotton/TENCEL® blend (figure A), this scarf features an easy-to-create woven stitch for added texture (figure B).

Knit-O-Meter Rating: Beginner

( Instructions )

( Resources )

From "Knitty Gritty"
episode DKNG-306

Never before have undergarments been so comfortable! Knitwear designer Joan McGowan-Michael, of White Lies Designs, visits host Vickie Howell to demonstrate her wearable knit lingerie. Wear this sexy little camisole design for lounging or sleeping or with jeans over a snug T-shirt for a romantic layered look.

Knit-O-Meter Rating: Intermediate to advanced.

This camisole is knit directionally with the bodice yoke worked from the bottom up. The lower lace portions are then picked up and worked in a downward direction. The short-row shaping in the bodice offers a fine fit for curvy girls, and hidden interior elastic keeps everything snug and in place.

Finished measurements (figure A):
Bust (camisole): 36 (38, 41, 44, 48, 50, 54 )"
Length of camisole at size seam: 15 (15, 15-1/2, 15-1/2, 16, 16 , 16-1/2)"

( Instructions )


( Resources )

Knit and felt a special hat for your favorite little wizard or princess.
From "Knitty Gritty"
episode DKNG-405

Knitting expert Beverly Galeskas joins Vickie Howell to share a bit of knitting magic. Her felted wizard and princess hats are sure to thrill any child -- and they'll provide hours of make-believe fun for boys and girls alike. Both hats are created from the same basic pattern, with only the colors and trims chaging to suit the styles.

( Instructions )

( RESOURCES )

From "Knitty Gritty"
episode DKNG-213

Every girl needs accessories, and we're going to show you that you can even knit jewelry! We have the perfect accessory to wear with your new chenille tank top: a silky knit choker. This one is knit from a Daria Multi, a multicolor rayon-and-cotton blend that has a cordlike appearance, but you can use just about any yarn that appeals to you.

( Instructions )

( Resources )