Tried doing the test swatches (so helpful!) with Graphite and both Vintage Sari and Pop Rocks. Vintage Sari got a bit washed out looking…

Have never tried beading yet, but I’ve got three different colors of beads that I’m testing. I think I’m going with the Gun Metal Gray?

Thanks to the test swatches, I’ve decided to drop down a needle size (US 5 and 4 instead of the called-for 6 and 5).

About to start the cast on, and since I bought a second skein of the Graphite (cool color, wasn’t sure I’d have enough), I’m going to do a two-ball long tail CO so I don’t have to worry about not measuring out enough yarn for the long tail CO. I rarely get that right, either falling just a hair short of what I need, or over-estimating by a loooong shot.

12/18/2013 - STILL working on this!! Had some set backs with Thanksgiving, screwed up stitch count somewhere in the beaded area, and home remodeling that’s involving life being turned a bit upside down….but I’m back at it. Not sure it’ll be a finished project when it’s wrapped up and tucked under the Christmas tree next week…it might be given with the stipulation that it has to be left with me for finishing.

Surprised at how much I’m liking the Pop Rocks! First impression: WOW that’s hot pink. But then: Look at all the depth of color - peach, rose, etc…

12/23/2013 - Had a yarn crisis!! While yes, there’s supposed to be more than enough yarn in a skein of the background color, I’m guessing a combination of the test swatch using some of it, plus my being a loose purler, ate up too much of the yarn. There wasn’t enough Pop Rocks, so I added a braid near the end of the skein, and switched back to Graphite. I think it looks pretty good actually!! It gets gifted to it’s recipient on Christmas day - Brett thinks his mom will cry.