July 20, 2011

Urban Stripes - Crocheted Rope

I have this triplet of 42" crocheted ropes that I wear together all the time. I have another set in black & white. I was thinking that I needed another set in different colors and did some research around the word Urban.


OK, so I'm going at this backwards.... I picked a name I liked and then started thinking about beads and patterns. Happens sometimes.




Cities, big cities make me think of cement, streets, sidewalks and buildings. My daughter lives on the 53 floor of one of these "Corncob" towers in Chicago. They actually remind me of crocheted ropes.







Then you add in all of the bright, neon primary colors that seem to contrast so well with all that gray concrete.
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That gave me my base bead color. They are a Miyuki 8/0 seed bead #2002 (like a DB307). Then I'm thinking matte black as sort of outline colors, coupled with shades of orange, turquoise, dark red and maybe a touch of chrome yellow. This will be an 8/0 rope in 6-around.






While I was doing some Internet searches of city images I was reminded that graffiti can be an unlimited source of color inspiration.











I've had several people tell me that they would like to make themselves a set of necklaces like mine. Seeing as I pretty much design-as-I-go when I make these, it's hard to turn them into a set of instructions or a pattern. So here is your chance to make one necklace with me and then swap around the colors and make one or two more.






String-Along ~ Urban Stripes
I'll break the 42" necklace into 7 sections of about 6" of finished rope (36" of strung beads) and design a section, or two a week. I'll put the patterns up as PDF's on my web site, and email you to let you know that you can download that week's pattern(s). They will all remain up for the duration of this string-along. After that time, they will be removed and I'll consolidate them into a pattern set that I'll sell.

Want To Join In?
If you have an interest, you have a week to join the fun and pick out your bead colors. You can use the same colors as I am or pick out ones that say Urban Stripes to you. Look at the graffiti inspired palletes. Email me (click for email) to sign up. I'll send you a PDF of my color inspirations, materials needed and anything else that may be important for success.




In return, I ask that you Blog or post to FaceBook about what you're doing and send me a link so we can all share in on how it's going.




See the tag "string-along" under this post? you can click on that to get a list of blog posts that only have to do with this project.

11 comments:

  1. I would like to try this but could not find your email!

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  2. Love the idea. As I don't blog or belong to facebook though, I'll wait till your pattern comes out.

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  3. "Email me" is a clickable link to bring up your email and get in touch with me. Glad you like the idea.

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  4. Anonymous10:21 AM

    I am looking forward to doing this. Want to thanks you for offering to do this for us. This will be fun... Crystal

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  5. Awesome! I have soooooo many beads, and heaven knows I LOVE to make bead crochet ropes!! :-)

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  6. I have to do this - I already have ideas for inspirations based on where I live :)

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  7. I'm going to give this a try! Hope I can keep up with you!

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  8. I am in...bead crochet is so much fun for me.

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  9. Just sent you an email. I'm looking forward to joining in. Thank you for doing this - what a fun idea. And as yardlori said, hope I can keep up with you!

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  10. Terri5:46 AM

    Can't wait to get started. Your quote at the top of the page says it all - Where the journey of creation is as important as the finished piece.

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