Step-by-step guide to knitting with beads
Using beads while you knit can create beautiful results. Rosee Woodland explains the key techniques involved
KNITTING WITH beads creates beautiful results, and is a lovely way to add a touch of sparkle to a special garment or to highlight a lace pattern. Many knitters avoid beading because they think it is going to be tricky, but it is actually relatively easy. Here, we explore the pre-strung method, where beads are added onto your yarn before knitting with it, and the crochet hook method which adds beads individually.
For the pre-strung method, you will need a fine yet strong sewing thread, and a fine sewing needle - check that the needle will fit through the hole in your beads. For the crochet hook method, you will need a very fine hook that can fit through your beads, typically around 0.5mm to 1.25mm.
PRE STRUNG METHOD
Use a sewing needle and fine thread to string beads onto your yarn. Remember when adding the beads that you need to add them in the reverse order that they will be used - last bead first, and so on.
Thread a needle with a 20cm length of fine cotton or polyester thread and sew it through the working yarn about 5cm from the cut end. Now pull the end of the thread so that the needle sits halfway along it and then knot the ends in a single, fine knot.
1 Place a bead onto your sewing needle, making sure that it will go over the eye of the needle completely. Bear in mind, though, that while glass beads are given a specific size, they will vary slightly from bead to bead, and some may be defective (for example, closed at one end). So although it may seem like you’ll save time if you place a large number of beads on the needle at once, this faster method does have its disadvantages.
2 Now push the bead down the thread until it reaches the yarn, and continue to push down and onto the yarn. Repeat as instructed in the pattern.
ADDING A SINGLE BEAD
Where beading is used in knitting projects, the pattern may require you to knit the beads onto the right side of the work, or onto the wrong side. Our photographs demonstrate the technique for adding beads on the wrong side. If you are adding on the right side, note the alternate instructions given in italics throughout.
3 With wrong side facing, take your yarn back (to the right side of the work).
If you are working with the right side facing, take your yarn forward (to the right side of the work).
Pull up your bead so that it sits opposite the stitch you are about to work.
4 Slip the next stitch purlwise onto the right needle without knitting or purling it.
With wrong side facing, take your yarn forward (to the wrong side of the work)
If you are working with the right side facing, take your yarn back (to the wrong side of the work).
5 Work the next stitch as given in the pattern.
6 You will notice that you now have a horizontal ‘bar’ with your bead sitting on it, across your slipped stitch, Make sure you pull your yarn fairly tight so that this bead sits snugly.
ALTERNATE METHOD: USING A CROCHET HOOK
If you are using very delicate yarn, pulling beads over long lengths of your yarn may damage it. Even if you are stringing your beads using the technique given above, you may realise halfway through your knitting that you have strung your beads in the wrong order, or you may have a damaged bead which needs to be replaced.
In any of these situations, you can add in beads using a crochet hook instead. Your crochet hook will need to fit through your bead, so you will probably need a very fine steel one. In this case we have used a 0.5mm crochet hook.
7 Using your crochet hook, pick up a bead and push it down the hook as far as it will easily go - don’t force it or you may break it!
8 Use your crochet hook to grab the stitch you want to work, currently on your lefthand needle. You don’t need to pull the stitch off the needle; in fact, you may find it easier to leave it on the needle as this helps to keep the stitch ‘stable’.
Pull the stitch through the bead using the crochet hook. This may feel fiddly at first, but it won’t take long to get used to it. Because the hook is so fine, if you are using plied yarn it may split the plies and only pull some of them through the bead, so watch out for this. Take the stitch off the left-hand needle and arrange the bead so that it sits neatly over the stitch.
You can now either work this stitch or simply slip it purlwise onto the right-hand needle. If you slip the stitch, this will pull the bead up a little and it may sit neater than if you work it, but it is a personal preference. Just make sure you use the same method every time.
9+ You should now have a bead sitting snugly on your knitting. Note that, unlike with the stringing method, there is no horizontal bar of yarn showing, but the bead is slightly more recessed into the fabric.