« | Main | Note to Marine Corps: Knitting Ain't Old-Fashioned! »
March 29, 2007
Bead Me Up!
I need some help from my friends in the computer! My oldest friend Jill is getting married in October (good month choice), and I have the honor of not only being a bridesmaid but also of making her a lace wedding stole to wear on her big day. We've discussed general themes (wispy, leaf motif) and we chose and purchased yarn (Kid Silk Haze) for the project.
Here's where I need some help: Jill would like a some small, sparkly beads on her stole. I've never knit with beads before, but I'm always keen to try something new -- especially for Jill! I've found some good tutorials on how to knit with beads, so I think I'm all set on the how-to. We're New York-bound this weekend, and my crafty mother-in-law has already recommeded several good bead stores that I can visit while I'm there. I just don't what size or type to get for using with Kid Silk Haze.
Any suggestions?
Posted by shannon at March 29, 2007 9:22 PM | For related posts: Jillay's Wedding Shawl
Comments
I'd probably get size 8 seed beads. Possibly smaller, but size 8 is what I use for fingering weight wool. (Smaller beads are bigger numbers, so a 10 is smaller and a 6 is bigger.)
I'm a fan of knitting the beads in (so you'd have to pre-string them), but if you want a bit more flexibility, and don't want to deal with prestringing on KSH get a small (size 12 or so) steel crochet hook too and then you can place them as you like.
Have fun, beads are great!
Posted by: Johanna at March 30, 2007 12:28 PM
Delurking... I took a class from Lily Chin on knitting with beads - she's a big fan of beads produced in Japan (although they may have been packaged in China). She feels beads produced in Japan are more consistent in hole size and are overall a more superior product. As for me, my only beading experience was a Caryl's kerchief using Koigu KPPM and size 6 beads - came out great. For the finer yarn size 8s would probably be a better size. Enjoy!
Posted by: Katie at April 1, 2007 12:20 PM
Take a yard of your yarn to the bead store with you and they will help you match size and color. Be sure to get threaders (I use floss threaders from the drugstore) and get a little velour pad at the bead store for helping thread the beads. You'll love working with beads!
Posted by: Judy Foldi at April 4, 2007 9:47 AM
Ok, this may be obvious, but remember to STRING ALL THE BEADS before you begin knitting. Also, the beads will sit on the horizontal bar between stitches and not IN the stitch, so keep that in mind as well. Lastly, and this might not apply because I've only used beads when knitting with wire so you might want to experiment, but I add beads on the WS and they then sit and show on the RS.
Hope that helps!
Posted by: Zabet at April 9, 2007 2:25 PM
I haven't actually bead-knitted yet, but have been referred to Earth Faire for their bead-knitting expertise. You probably know that Sivia Harding did a bead article for Knitty (2006, Spring, I think), and there are books out on the subject. Good luckk - I'll be following along!
Posted by: Diane at April 10, 2007 4:03 PM