Two of my most favorite creative endeavors are anything to do with yarn and designing jewelry.
When I can combine them I'm a really happy camper.
I've recently started a collection of knit beaded bracelets.
The supplies are pretty simple, a variety of small decorative and seed beads;
Cotton thread or polyester embroidery thread and knitting needles
The cotton thread comes in a nice selection of colors as well as some metallic and is quite easy to work with. One ball will make several bracelets
The polyester embroidery thread has a shimmery look and is 6 ply. It can be a little more difficult to work with and I have learned the hard way that some of the beads may actually tear the thread. Bracelets usually require 1, 2 or 3 skeins. This also comes in a nice variety of colors.
String the beads on the thread first. The bracelets pictured below use about 200 beads; for me, this is the longest part of the process....getting all those little beads onto the thread. Most of the patterns I have used call for about 9 stitches for a size 2 knitting needle. Begin by knitting 3-4 rows without any beads. You will want to leave an edge on each side for sewing up your tube when you have reached the length desired. Two stitches on each edge is a good rule of thumb. Depending on the size of your bead, you knit in 1, 2 or 3 beads with each stitch between the edge stitches. Knit to the desired length making sure to knit 3-4 rows at the end without any beads to match the beginning, sew the long sides together, attach a clasp and you're done!
The picture below shows the 4 bracelets I am currently working on. I have finished all the knitting and now need to sew the edges and attach the clasps. As you can see the design possibilities are endless.
I'll share the finished product in another post.
