barnicals and braid

 Within the past couple of days I have been working on various braids which could be used within the beard creating various chain stitches and easing the tension between differant types of wool. I have found working with the 8mm crochet hook  creates a chunky, stand out braid which the audience may see, whilst being thin enough to weave throughout  the scarf.

Below are some of the braids I have made up:

Chunky knit 8mm crocheted woollen braid with tight tension 

Tawny brown braid with blue flecks using a 8mm crochet hook varied tension 

Second chunky knit 8mm crocheted woollen braid, however using a loose tension

Double knit chunky multi coloured wool using a 8mm crochet hook

Red felted wool with varied tension to create different ties

As well as this I had the chance to work with a wonderful group of first years and volunteers for Breathe Together club on Wednesday, and teach them how to make barnicals. After a slow start I found I had a large group of 10-12 people talking and getting to know each other as well as making the barnicals. I feel it is a vital part of the group that everyone mixes together, no matter who you are. You can learn so much of different people, as well as others learning off you. One of the girls I worked with found a way of combining wools to create tied barnicals and stretching wool around the barnicals to cause a taunt effect with string. Another found a way of plaiting the rope to make it chunkier and then using the button hole stitch technique wrap the barnical around the acetate. Over all we made 68 various barnicals of differant sizes and shapes.

Full ring of barnicals made at Breathe club

Very interesting brown and yellow barnical made by varying the knots

Im going to use this idea and plait some of the left over wools into the beard to create a ragged effect.


Finally my barnical report. I am happy to report I have met the targets every day:

2nd May: 10 x Grey (Double Knit) Wool using a 5mm crochet hook.
3rd May: 11 x Grey (Double Knit) Wool and using a 5mm crochet hook

This is becoming by far one of my favourite wools to use. The blend makes it durable to work with as well as allowing the material to be pulled taunt without wear and tear. This wool could be mixed in with most of the groups work as well as if broken down, stand out on its own.