Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

Viking knit is the oldest method of chain making and I've become fascinated by it.  Once I conquered the single knit, I decided to add beads.  I could have googled or asked how it was done but it seemed like something I could just figure out.  And I've learned a lot as I proceeded first with tumbled turquoise beads and then with pearls.  I thought I'd share a few of the things I've learned.   Iif you want a great tutorial on viking knit technique, Trina Ann at http://blog.trinaann.com/  has written a clear concise easy to understand tutorial.  I highly recommend it.    Tumbled tuquoise beads in viking knit  I used tumbled turquoise beads in the first viking knit chain and I did not really know what I was doing.  But I went right ahead and as it turned out, I liked the end result.  Since the beads were irregular in shape there was a random quality to the finished product. During that process, I began to really understand the technique of viking knit.  Loo

When I used to design homes, I knew what they would look like in my mind.   And I always sighed gratefully and with relief when the homes were finished and they really did look like what I imagined.   It is the same with my jewelry.  Viking Knit with pearls  The beautiful crystal prism that I saved (who knows why) from some chandelier years ago would become my focal. When I added pearls to viking knit just to see what it looked like, I had no idea where I would use it (see post http://lindabrittdesign.blogspot.com/search?q=viking+knit+and+pearls). As I sat at my workbench with my pencil, paper and parts, this design took shape.   I realized I did not have enough pearls and knew the Tucson Gem Show was coming up.   I drew the design and put the parts (prism and viking knit with pearls) in a box.    I could get pearls the right color and size to finish my recycled prism necklace. Some major health issues popped up in our house and I had to cancel the Tucson trip.   A couple