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If you’ve stuck with me in my beading adventures, then thanks. Here is the final tutorial in my series on how to add beads to your project.
- Crochet with Beads Part 1: pre-stringing beads before you chain
- Crochet with Beads Part 2: setting beads as you go
- Knitting with Beads Part 1: pre-stringing beads before you cast-on
- Knitting with Beads Part 2: setting beads as you go
- What Beads to Use and Where to put them in your Knit and Crochet Work
- Added by request – adding beads as you spin yarn
There will be two more (obviously). I feel the need to ramble a bit on how to match the weight of your yarn to bead size, what kind of beads work best, and where you might like to place them in a project. Then I need to whip up a tutorial for the handspinners! They need to be adding sparkly beads to their work too.
But all that comes later. For now, let’s get to adding beads in our knitting.
The technique is this:
- You need to pull a live stitch off the left needle with a tool that has a bead at the ready.
- Use that tool to push a bead down onto the stitch so that it rests on the row below and sits like a collar around your stitch.
- Then put the stitch back on the left needle,
- and knit/purl it.
What tool you use is up to you and what you have on hand. My favorite is dental floss threader.
So have at your knitting with those sparkly beads!
What Are the Roving Crafters Buying?
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Wool of the Andes Tweed Yarn – $2.62
from: Knit Picks
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11 Comments on "Knit with Beads, Setting as you Work"
Wonderful !!! I am so excited to try the floss threaders for this. I’ve asked for them on the next shopping trip, as I do not shop. That really is a very clever idea. I think I like the last way the best. Thanks again for all of the great lessons. Hugs to you Jenn
Most welcome. Those floss threaders are super easy to use and I bet you like them. That they are also cheap is just gravy!
I love the second method! Have done the first, and it’ OK, but I’m not much of a pattern follower, so I love the freedom of adding whatever I want whenever I want. Thank you so much!
Happy to help get those creative juices flowing!
I too prefer the floss threader. Its easy and I don’t have to fuss around with finding a hook that is small enough for the beads I’m using. so get to adding those beads and let your knitting sparkle.
I do that differently! I knit the stitch, pull it off, add the bead, then replace the stitch on the right needle. I get more room from the running yarn to play with when I place the bead. This is so interesting! (I don;t think either way is right or wrong, just different 🙂 )
I see. Then your beads are on top of the just knitted stitch instead of under it. That an interesting variation.
Yep, and I neer have to deal with two strands at the same time, though the purl row is a bit harder. I must have found the technique somewhere but I can’t recall where.
I love the floss threader trick!
Thanks! Every knitter/crocheter should have some floss threader I think
I’m wondering if it’s at all possible to add beads to an already finished article? I have never tried it, but am tempted to add a border to a shawl I finished and add beads for some weight.
Well…
I would get a beading needle and some sewing thread. I’d weave in the thread along the back of your shawl until you get to a place where you want a bead. then I’d push through to the front, thread a bead with the beading needle, and set it against the knitting. Then go to the bask side again.
It will be a bit tedious but I have done that in two cases.