[Nfb-krafters-korner] Question for you bead people

[Deborah Armstrong]

I've never worked with beads so I don't know what the terms mean or how 
to purchase the right bead for the right job.


But here's my idea. I started using an abacus for a row counter (for 
needle knitting) and it worked great. But I commute to work and my 
vacation is nearly over, sadly. I don't want to carry an abacus around.


But what if I knitted up a mini wearable abacus necklace, or bracelet. I 
could even make a decorative little abacus stitched to my denim purse. I 
carry a cheap denim purse from walmart because they are quick and easy 
to wash and I could decorate the outside with a cute little abacus that 
would double as a row counter.


I have some stiff cotton that wasn't really soft that would be perfect. 
I need wooden beads and I need to find a way to make them not slide 
easily. Maybe just felt like the real abacus, or maybe velcro. It would 
depend on the bead.


Ideas? How do I shop for beads? We have a JoAnne and a Michaels but the 
merchandise is mostly in those horrid shrink-wrap packages where I can't 
touch it. The last time I was there, it was a nightmare finding just a 
stitch holder.


If you don't know how to use an Abacus, you can download the Cranmer 
abacus book from APH, for free,  or there is a podcast that can teach 
you how by a teacher for the visually impaired; it's a very helpful 
skill. Hadley used to have acourse, don't know if they still do.



--Debee