Beaded Bind Off

To go along with the Beaded Cast On from last week, here is an easy way to add beads to your bind off.

For this method, you will need a crochet hook sized appropriately for your yarn/beads.  I used a size 10 Steel Crochet Hook for my sample, which works perfectly for size 6 beads.  (Steel hooks are sized differently than regular hooks - the higher the number, the smaller the hook.  The opposite of regular hooks.)

I've done my sample using the standard knitted bind off, but you can add beads to pretty much any bind off method.  You can space the beads out any way you like also.

Just begin to bind off.  When you are ready for a bead, you will want to take the stitch from your right needle --  off the needle --!  Don't panic, it's ok for a stitch to be without the needle for a moment.  I like to pull the loop up a bit just so I have a little room to work.  

Then, place a bead onto your crochet hook; grab the stitch with your crochet hook, and finally, slide the bead onto the stitch.  Place the stitch back onto the right needle and pull gently to tighten it back up.

That's it!  Continue binding off and adding beads.  You'll finish as you would when binding off without beads - on the last stitch, cut the yarn, pull the tail through.

A super easy way to add a little something extra to your bind off!   Here is the video.

Happy Knitting!

 

Beaded Cast On

I love beads almost as much as I love my yarn.  Combine the two, and I am over the moon.  Last week, I showed you several methods of pre-stringing beads onto your yarn.  Now that you can do that, you are ready to do the Beaded Cast On!

This is just a simple long tail cast on, with the addition of beads.  You'll want to make sure your tail is long enough to cast on the required number of stitches, and as always, you'll want beads that will fit your yarn.

The beads should be resting on the tail of the yarn, not the working yarn.  You can space the beads out any way you like.

Begin casting on, and when you are ready to add a bead, simply slide one up the yarn until it is against your needle.  Then cast on two, three, however many stitches you want in between the beads.  When you are ready for the next bead, again just slide one up to the needle.

It doesn't get much easier to add a little glimmer to your cast on edge.  Here is a short video.

Happy Knitting!

Beaded I-Cord

If you are looking for a way to add some pizzazz to your I-Cord, beads might be the answer you are looking for.  Here are two ways to add beads to your I-Cord.

I suggest pre-stringing the beads, since I-Cord is fiddly enough as it is.  Having the beads on your yarn from the start is more convenient.  Also, if you are following a pattern you will place the beads as directed by the pattern.  Otherwise, put them where you like, as many or as few as you like.  

Method One:

When you reach the point where you would like to have your bead, slide the bead up the yarn and to the needle.  Bring the yarn to the front of the work, and slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise.  Take the yarn back to the back of the work, and continue knitting.  (I find it helpful if I hold the bead in place with my thumbnail at this point)

Repeat this where ever you would like to place a bead on your I-Cord.

Method Two:

When you reach the stitch where you would like to have a bead, insert the right needle into it, but don't knit it just yet.  Next, slide your bead up the yarn to the needle.  Now, make the knit stitch, pulling the bead through the stitch along with the yarn.  Continue knitting.  On the next row when you get to the stitch with the bead on it, slide the bead up over the needle and to the back of the  stitch.  When you make the new stitch, the bead should pop out to the front of the I-Cord.

Here is a video demonstrating both of these methods.