I’m back! I was traveling last week. I took two knitting projects with me. One was my Garland shawl, and the other was the beginning of a Filigree shawl.
I guess I really am a monogamous knitter at heart. I only worked on the Garland shawl; I never even looked at the Filigree. I had been worried about trying to knit with beads on this trip, because we were spending a week on this 65 foot catamaran.
(The Ouvea V)
Surprisingly, bead knitting wasn’t a problem, as long as I wasn’t knitting while we were actively sailing. Which is no time to be knitting, anyway.
(hanging out at Monkey Point, Guana Island, a great snorkeling spot)
We were celebrating my mother-in-law’s significant birthday, and it was a blast. Our family of 10 spent a week in the British Virgin Islands on a crewed charter (captain, chef, hostess). It was a blissful week of sailing, snorkeling, and beaches.
(The Baths at Virgin Gorda)
(Above the Bubbly Pool at Diamond Cay, Jost Van Dyke)
(DH getting away from it all, Benures Bay, Norman Island)
And sunsets…
I found a couple of these little shells on the last beach of the trip (Benures Bay, Norman Island). So cute!
It’s a coffeebean trivia (false cowrie). They’re about a centimeter long. They look like smiles on the other side.
I brought them home and turned them into the centerpieces of a little keepsake project. Ankle bracelets, one for me and one for sis-in-law. These remind me of sand and the color of the sea when the sun is shining on shallow waters. (I had to drill holes in them to string them; I did that with a bead reamer.)
The instructions for these beaded bracelets (or necklace, or whatever) are in my free Victoriana Bracelet pattern. They’re made with a crochet chain with a few beads worked in. Pick some beads and make one for yourself, and one for a friend!
Back to my Garland, and real life…
PDXKnitterati 
Sounds like a lovely trip! Thank you for sharing the pictures 🙂 Love the keepsake anklets – what a great idea!
You’re welcome, and thank you! This is my second keepsake shell anklet; my previous one from 5 years ago broke on this trip. The shell is now at the Caves at Treasure Point, Norman Island!
Lovely pictures! I remember as a child collecting shells and drilling holes in them and making bracelets! Yours are far nicer, though. 🙂
Awww, thanks! My previous BVI shell anklet broke when I was snorkeling; my nephew caught part of it but I lost the shell I picked up 5 years ago. I guess it wanted to go home!
What a fabulous trip! I love the anklet. A terrific way to remember your trip.
Looks fab and love the images.
How did you start the hole? I’ve only been using my bead reamer to make existing holes larger.
I just set the tip of the reamer against the shell, and started twirling! Back and forth…
Oh my gosh ……they are fabulous pictures. Love the little anklet. Too cute.
Welcome back to reality. 🙂
Thank you. The anklet is making me very happy! Just the right colors, size, and memories.
Fabulous pictures, girl!
That looks like such a lovely trip. It’s great when you can go away with family and have fun at the same time!
Your vacation views look gorgeous! On my way to check out the bracelet pattern, it’s pretty.
That scenery is amazing! What a nice family vacation.