KnitWerk

Got back from vacation to a lovely surprise from a grumpy friend:

Pretty beads for knitting:

And some really beautiful beads for jewelry or stitch markers. The pink quartz ones will need to be made into earrings immediately… there are some gorgeous carnelian beads, as well as glass and stone beads in other blue and pink shades. Just beautiful. Hmmm, time to get out the jewelry tools…

I can’t wait to try my hand at knitting with beads—haven’t done that before. Included in the package is a groovy needle with a big hole in the middle that you can use to string the beads on the yarn.

It just so happens that I’ve been collecting bookmarks about knitting with beads. Here are a few that I’ve found helpful or inspirational:

• Beaded Knitting – This link shows threading beads, as well as a few different ways to place them in your knitting. Included are links to a few projects.
• Knit Your Own Jewelry – This Knitter’s Review article shows knitting wire bracelets and necklaces with beads.
• By special request, Beading Made Easy! – FluffyKnitterDeb’s great photo tutorial on using beads in your knitting without stringing them on your yarn beforehand. Very cool!

Thank you, thank you, Grumperina. This will be very fun!

Does anyone have any favorite beaded knitting projects to share? Until I saw the pretty beaded cuffs that Grumperina added to “Karen’s Mia shrug pattern,” I haven’t paid much attention to the technique. I’d love to hear your picks for best beaded projects.