R O W A N

How To Work
With Beads
By Rowan
How to work with beads

HOW TO WORK WITH BEADS Instead, use a needle and some sewing thread to
make the process easier. Start by choosing a sewing
Adding beads to a knitted or crocheted design gives needle that will easily pass through the beads and
it a really special touch – especially when the beads thread this needle with a short length of strong
added are as stunning as those in the Swarovski sewing thread. Knot the ends of this length of
range. A few well placed beads can turn a simple thread so that it forms a loop, making sure the knot
garment into a real show-stopper. is secure. Now shuffle the knot along the loop so
that it sits along the side of the loop, rather than at
And knitting or crocheting with beads is nowhere the end of it.
near as difficult as many people think. Not only
is it so much quicker than sewing them all on Take the end of the yarn and pass this end through
afterwards, but it also ensures the beads will stay the loop of sewing thread and fold the yarn end
securely in place. over for 15-20 cm. To thread each bead onto the
yarn, thread the bead onto the needle and then
CHOOSING BEADS AND YARN onto the looped sewing thread. Now gently ease
the bead along the sewing thread and along onto
Within reason, almost any bead or yarn can be used the doubled yarn end.You may need to quite firmly
– but you MUST make sure the hole through the pull the bead over the point where the sewing
bead is the right size for the yarn! The bead needs thread and yarn meet but, if the bead is the correct
to “sit” neatly on the yarn. If the bead is too small size for the chosen yarn, it should slide onto the
for the chosen yarn, it will be difficult to slide the yarn quite easily. Once the bead is on the doubled
bead into place and there is a risk the yarn will yarn you can then slide it further along so that it sits
be damaged as beads are “shoved” along it. If the just on a single strand of yarn.
bead is too big for the chosen yarn, there is the
risk the beads can “move” within the finished work When sliding the beads onto the single thickness
and disappear onto the wrong side of the garment of yarn take care to ensure the looped end of yarn
where they cannot be seen. does not slip out of the thread loop – if it does, all
your beads may simply fall off the yarn and you will
When choosing the beads, you also need to bear in have to start again. It is often easiest to individually
mind the size and weight of the beads in relation to thread 5 or 6 beads onto the doubled yarn end and
the weight of the yarn and the size of the garment. then slide all of these beads onto the single strand of
Ideally, the bead needs to be about the same size yarn, firmly holding the point where the yarn and
as one knitted (or crocheted) stitch. If too large a thread meet so that you are sure the yarn does not
bead is used on a densely beaded design they will slip out of the thread loop.
distort the knitting and thereby spoil the garment.
And, if the beads are too small, they may simply just When threading the beads onto the needle, it is
not show! easiest to tip the beads into a small dish and pick
up each bead with the point of the needle, rather
THREADING THE BEADS ONTO THE than to pick up and hold each bead individually.
YARN Alternatively, you may prefer to tip a few beads into
the palm of your hand and pick up the beads from
There are lots of ways that beads can be incorporated here with the needle point.
into the actual knitting or crochet but most will Whilst you are threading the beads onto the yarn,
involve the beads being threaded onto the yarn you may come across the odd bead where you
before you begin. And as the hole through the cannot get the needle to pass through the bead,
centre of the bead is often quite small in relation to or you may find the bead will simply “crack” and
the thickness of the yarn, it is often not possible to shatter as it is threaded over the thread and yarn
simply thread them straight onto the yarn. join. This will either be because the needle and the
yarn are simply too thick for the chosen bead or
 How to work with beads

because you are using a poor quality bead. If you break off and rejoin the yarn at the end of a row
find too many beads are breaking, you may find it so that the yarn join does not spoil your finished
best to change to a finer sewing needle or re-think work!
the choice of bead with the yarn. All the designs
in this brochure are designed so that the specified If a design uses beads in just one or two places, it
beads work well on the specified yarns and, within is best to thread all the beads onto one ball of yarn,
reason, there should not be too much of a problem joining in and breaking off this ball of yarn for the
threading these beads onto the stated yarn. sections where the beads are to be placed. If this is
the case, make sure you tie a large knot in the end
The Swarovski beads featured here are different of the beaded ball of yarn to stop the beads slipping
shapes and sizes and some will have their hole at off whilst this ball of yarn is set to one side.
one end of the bead, rather than centrally through
it. Regardless of the size or shape of bead or the If you are working with more than one thickness
position of the hole, they should all be threaded of yarn, don’t try to thread the beads onto the
onto the yarn in this way. multiple strands of yarn. Instead, thread the beads
onto just one of the yarns you are using – this will
If you wish to mix the beads so that either the not only make it much easier to thread on the
size, shape or colour appears randomly within the beads but also to slide the beads into place.
knitting or crochet, the easiest way to do this is
to simply mix the beads together before threading If you choose to use a bead with a yarn where it
them onto the yarn. However if you want them is simply not possible to thread the bead onto the
to appear in a certain order, remember that the yarn, you could consider adding in another strand
last bead threaded onto the yarn will be the first of yarn to the design – such as a very fine lace
bead placed within the work – so you will need yarn or even a sewing thread. If you decide to do
to thread the beads onto the yarn in the reverse this, remember that the addition of the extra strand
order to which you want them to appear within may affect not only the tension of the design but
the work. also the way the finished design looks and drapes.
It is best to experiment first to make sure your
WORKING WITH BEADS combination will work!

Once you have threaded the beads onto the yarn, PLACING THE BEADS WHILST
you are ready to start knitting or crocheting with KNITTING
this beaded ball of yarn. Start by sliding all the
beads along the yarn so that there is at least 60-80 There are lots of ways beads can be placed within
cm between the beads and the yarn end. Take the a knitted design, and it is best to check the
looped end of yarn out of the thread loop and you abbreviations section of the pattern to find out
are ready to begin. exactly how the beads are to be placed.
The most common way to place a bead within a
When you work with yarn with lots of beads knitted design is to simply replace a knitted stitch
threaded onto it, you will find you are repeatedly with a strand of yarn with a bead on it. This will
sliding beads up and down the yarn and there is usually be referred to as “bead 1” in the pattern –
the risk that the beads will start to wear away at the but check this method IS the method to be used
surface of the yarn.To stop this happening, it is best before you start!
not to thread too many beads onto the yarn at any
one time. If the design being made uses hundreds To place a bead in this way, knit along the row
of beads, start by threading some of the beads onto to the point where the bead is to be placed. At
the yarn. Use up all these beads within the knitting this stage, all the beads will be between the knitted
or crochet and then break the yarn and thread on work and the yarn ball. Once you have reached
more beads. But, of course, you must remember to the “bead 1” point, make sure the yarn is at the
How to work with beads

front of the knitting – depending on the stitch the yarn before you begin to knit. And, if the yarn
pattern being knitted, this may require the yarn to is a very delicate yarn, this can help avoid any
be brought to the front of the work between the damage that might be caused by sliding the beads
needles. Now slide one bead up and along the yarn along the yarn.
so that it “sits” next to the last knitted stitch on
the right needle. Slip the next stitch on the left To place a bead within the knitting using this
needle purlwise - so that this stitch is not twisted. method, you will need a very fine crochet hook.
If required, take the yarn back between the needles You must be able to easily pass the hook section
so that it is in the right place for the next knitted of the crochet hook through the hole in the bead,
stitch, and knit this stitch. This will leave the bead so you will need to use one of the very fine steel
sitting on a horizontal strand of yarn across the crochet hooks normally used for very fine lace
right side of the knitting at the “bead 1” point. work, such as a size 1mm (10 steel) hook.
When working the next row of knitted stitches, Remember the hook must pass through the bead
simply knit (or purl) the slipped stitch behind the hole easily – if you have to force it through the
beaded strand in the normal way. hole you run the risk of cracking or breaking the
bead.
When placing beads in this way, try to ensure that
the strand of yarn lying across the slipped stitch is When placing a bead in this way, knit along the
not too tight or too loose – it should be the correct row to the point where the bead is to appear. Now
length to fit both the bead and the knitted stitches. slip a bead over the hook of the crochet hook, and
slip the stitch that is to be beaded off the left needle
As this method of placing a bead does not actually and onto the crochet hook. Gently ease this stitch
knit the stitch, it is best not to place a bead on through the bead hole using the crochet hook and
the end stitch of a row. Placing beads on the end replace the stitch onto the left needle. Now knit
stitches of rows will also make seaming the sections this stitch in the normal way – as the bead “sits”
together messy and lumpy.You may prefer to leave around the strands of this stitch, you may find it a
the end 2 stitches of each row without beads to little “tight” to knit so take extra care.
ensure any seam is neat and easy to sew. The method you choose to use to attach the beads
Beads can be placed in this way on right or wrong to your knitting can be influenced by the shape of
side rows – but remember that the strand of yarn the bead you are using. Using the “bead 1” method
holding the bead should always be on the right side to place beads (where the beads are threaded onto
of the work if the bead is to show! You may find the yarn) places the bead on the knitting so that
that, once the work is complete, one or two beads the hole in the bead is horizontally placed within
may have worked their way through the knitting the work. But placing beads using a crochet hook
and are “sitting” on the wrong side of the knitting. means the hole in the bead “sits” vertically within
If this is the case, simply ease them gently back to the work. Therefore this method of placing beads
the right side of the work. is only really suitable when using spherical beads.
Teardrop shaped beads attached this way will “sit”
ATTACHING BEADS TO KNITTING so they point to one side, instead of hanging down
USING A CROCHET HOOK the work.When using this type of shaped bead, it is
best to thread them onto the yarn before knitting
If you are using a fine yarn and fairly large beads, and place them using the “bead 1” method.
attaching a bead using the “bead 1” method may
distort the knitting – as the bead will be much ATTACHING BEADSWHILST CROCHETING
bigger than the stitch it is covering. In these cases,
you can attach the beads using a fine crochet hook. Placing a bead whilst crocheting is surprisingly
easy! Start by threading the beads onto the yarn and
Attaching beads to the knitting using this method crochet to the point where the bead will appear.
does NOT require you to thread the beads onto
 English How to work with beads

Beads within crochet are usually placed either on the last crocheted stitch. Now slide the required
chain or double crochet stitches. Whichever type number of beads along the yarn (your pattern
of stitch it is, the way you place the bead is very will tell you how many beads you need) so they
similar. If the bead is to be placed on any other “sit” next to the fasten-off point. Now pick up
type of stitch, refer to the abbreviations section for the crochet hook again and insert it into the point
details of exactly what to do. required for the next crochet stitch. Draw a loop
When working a bead on a chain stitch (referred to as through and elongate this loop to the height of the
“beaded ch 1”), work to the point where this stitch next type of stitch you will be working – this new
is to appear. Now slide the bead up the yarn so loops now forms your working loop and you can
that it “sits” snugly against the crochet hook. Now continue the crochet as before, leaving a strand of
work a chain stitch in the normal way – the bead beaded yarn between the two stitches.
will be left sitting on a strand of yarn that makes up
the chain stitch. Whether making strings of beads in knitting or
crochet, take care not to pull the yarn too tight
To work a beaded double crochet, start by working when working the stitch after the beaded string as
the very first stage of this stitch – insert the hook the beads need to be able to move slightly on the
into the stitch at the base of this new double crochet strand of yarn so that they can drape and will hang
stitch. Now slide a bead along so that it “sits” snugly correctly.
against the crochet hook and complete the double
crochet stitch. Placing a bead in this way leaves the ATTACHING BEADS BY SEWING THEM
bead sitting on the back of the work – so beaded IN PLACE
double crochet stitches are best worked on wrong
side rows. If, however, the beaded stitch appears on Beads can, of course, simply be sewn on to a
a right side row, you will need to gently ease the finished piece of knitting or crochet!
bead through the work so that it “sits” on the right
side of the fabric. The best way to attach beads this way is by using
a matching colour sewing thread, or one of the
MAKING STRINGS OF BEADS “invisible” nylon threads specifically designed for
this purpose. If you are using sewing thread, choose
Sometimes a knitting or crochet design will feature a colour that matches both the beads and the yarn.
short strings of beads, rather than beaded stitches. If you cannot get a perfect match, opt for a slightly
These little strings of beads will form tiny tassels darker shade, rather than a lighter one, as this will
or bridges within the work and will add extra “disappear” into the shadows and be less obvious.
dimension and texture to the finished item. If, however, the beads and yarn are contrasting
colours, choose which of these shades you would
To create a string of beads in knitting, simply work prefer to use for the sewing thread. Bear in mind
to the point where this string is to appear. Now that if the bead is a clear crystal bead the strands
slide the required number of beads along the yarn of thread running through the bead may affect its
(your pattern will tell you how many beads you colour once it is sewn in place. A clear crystal bead
need) so they “sit” next to the last stitch worked will look totally different sewn on using a dark
and then simply work the next stitch. This leaves thread to when attached using a light coloured
a strand of beaded yarn between the two stitches. thread! It is best to experiment with different
colours of threads until you find the effect you want.
A string of beads in crochet is made in a similar To sew on a bead, start by checking the needle
way – except you need to fasten off first. Start by you are using will fit through the beads! You may
working to the point where the beaded string is need to use one of the specially designed beading
to appear. Enlarge the working loop on the hook needles if your beads are tiny – check out your
and pass the ball of yarn holding the beads through local haberdashery store for these.
this loop and then pull the yarn end, to fasten off
How to work with beads

Thread the needle with your chosen thread and instead.To do this, pin out the beaded section, with
start by securing the thread on the wrong side of its right side uppermost, onto a soft pressing surface.
the work by working a few tiny back stitches. Now Dampen a pressing cloth (or clean tea towel) and
take the needle through to the right side of the lay this over the work, gently smoothing it down.
work and thread the bead onto the thread. Pass Now simply leave the work until the pressing cloth
the needle back through to the wrong side of the is totally dry. Once dry, remove the cloth, un-pin
work and fasten it off by making a few more tiny the work and complete the making-up process. As
backstitches. Depending on the type of thread you this method of “pressing” uses no heat or pressure
are using and the size of bead, you may prefer to this is often the safest way to “press” your work
either se the sewing thread doubled, or to make 2 without any risk of damage to either the yarn or
or 3 stitches through the bead before fastening off. beads.

If attaching lots of beads by sewing them on, it is AFTERCARE

not always necessary to cut the thread and attach
each bead individually. You can simply strand the Adding lots of beads to a knitted (or crocheted)
sewing thread across the wrong side of the fabric design will add a lot of weight to the finished
from one bead position to the next. However you garment. And, because of this, it is best NOT to
must remember that the knitting or crochet will store a heavily beaded design on a coat hanger.
stretch – and the strand of thread you leave across Instead, carefully fold the garment and store it on a
the back of the work must cater for this! And also shelf. This will stop the weight of the beads pulling
bear in mind that if the strand of thread left across down and distorting the finished garment.
the back of the work is too long, you run the risk
of this catching and snapping when the item is in When you need to launder a heavily beaded item,
use. It is therefore best to secure the thread with it is best to either have the item professionally dry
a few backstitches before and after every bead is cleaned by a specialist cleaner or to hand wash the
sewn on. Attaching beads this way will not only item. Should you choose to machine wash the
mean that, if the thread snaps, you will not find the item, use the most delicate setting you can on your
beads fall off but also that the beads sit neatly in washing machine and protect the work by placing
place without sliding around on loose threads. it in a laundry bag first.

PRESSING THE BEADED WORK

If you have spent many hours knitting or crocheting

your design you need to take care when pressing the
finished pieces so that the beads are not damaged.
Never ever place an iron directly onto an area that
features beads! And you may prefer to lower the
iron temperature too, just to be on the safe side.

To press your beaded work, place the knitted (or

crocheted) section face down onto a soft pressing
surface. Cover the work with a pressing cloth (or a
soft, clean tea towel) and press the work very gently.
If using steam, be very careful how much steam
you use – as the heat of the steam could shatter
the bead.

If you are hesitant about the amount of heat or

steam to use, “press” the work by “blocking” it