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Book Review – Bead Crochet Jewelry

July 15, 2012 by jd wolfe

This book is great fun!  Once I got it in my hands and browsed through its colorful pages, I couldn’t wait to try to make my own bracelet!  This is the first book where I’ve really been able to understand the technique for crocheting a cylinder with beads.  And, if I can understand it – so can you!  Trust me on that.

The authors, mother and daughter, take the crocheter step by step through all the information need to be successful with bead crochet.  As a beader myself, I thought I knew a lot about beads.  Not so!  The Freed’s carefully and quickly detail the best kinds of beads and ‘wire’ to use for crocheting their pieces.  They have especially clear and helpful pictures of both the best and not so great beads to use for various applications, making it easier to select the beads you’ll want to use either in person or online.

The easiest projects are simple chain stitch bracelets or necklaces using beads of all shapes.  I, however, was drawn to the circular crocheted bracelets and necklaces.  I own a couple of the lariats that my grandmother wore.  They are so pretty, but not colors I will wear, so I’ve wanted to make my own.  Using the techniques described in this book, especially the suggestion to start with ‘cheater beads’ (larger than those chosen for the project) has inspired me to dig through my rather large bead stash to work on my own necklace.

This book will get you moving from the most basic projects up to those which are much more challenging – double teared circulars, knotted and bow-tied circulars, dangly earrings, and many others.  Every step of the way, there are detailed instructions and close up photos to insure your success.  If you’ve ever wanted to jump into bead crochet, this is the book for you!

To see a slide show of projects and instructions, check out the information here.

Book Specs:

Bead Crochet Jewelry, An Inspired Journey Through 27 Designs by Bert Rachel Freed and Dana Elizabeth Freed

St. Martin’s Press, July, 2012

136 pages, durable softback with satin finish and lots of color photos

ISBN: 9780312672942

$22.00 USD

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Comments

  1. Susan Parker says

    July 16, 2012 at 7:44 am

    Thank you for the review. I’ve been on a real binge of crocheting with beads lately. I haven’t really made any jewelry using crochet and beads but it’s something I’d like to do.
    I’ve made the rope type necklace using the peyote stitch and seed beads an it takes a very long time just to make a choker. I think crochet would be much faster, especially for a lariat like your grandmother made.

Have you read?

How to Crochet the Suzette Stitch: An Easy Textured Crochet Stitch for Beginners

Learning a crochet stitch is much more satisfying when you have an actual project waiting at the end of it. The Suzette stitch is especially versatile because its dense, softly textured fabric works for everything from practical cotton washcloths to cosy scarves, hats and blankets.

Here are some Suzette stitch crochet patterns worth adding to your project list.

Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

The free Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket pattern from Premier Yarns uses the stitch to create a softly textured crochet blanket with a subtle tweed-like appearance.

This would make a lovely handmade baby shower gift, particularly when worked in a washable baby yarn. The stitch creates more visual interest than plain single crochet without introducing large holes that may catch tiny fingers.

Easy Suzette Stitch Blanket

The Suzette Stitch Blanket pattern by Stitching Together is another approachable blanket project for crocheters who enjoy a relaxing stitch repeat.

This is the sort of project you can keep beside the sofa and work on a few rows at a time. Just keep an eye on those skipped stitches—television crochet is wonderful until an extra stitch quietly sneaks in three episodes earlier.

Casey Suzette Stitch Scarf

The free Casey Scarf crochet pattern uses the Suzette stitch through most of the design, producing a cosy scarf with a softly scalloped, zigzag-like texture.

It is a good first wearable project for beginners because scarves do not require complicated shaping. You can also adjust the length fairly easily or use a self-striping yarn and let the colour changes do the decorative work for you.

Quick Suzette Crochet Scarf

For another scarf option, try this free Suzette Stitch Scarf pattern from Hooked by Robin.

The designer includes written instructions and a video tutorial, making it helpful for visual learners who prefer watching the stitch placement before beginning. It is designed as a quick project and would make a practical last-minute handmade gift.

Suzette Colour Block Scarf

The free Suzette Colour Block Scarf pattern is a cheerful option for using several coordinating yarn colours.

Colour blocking also makes this a handy stash-busting crochet project. You can use leftover yarn from other makes, although it is worth choosing yarns of the same weight and similar fibre content so the sections behave themselves after washing.

Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie

The free Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie crochet pattern turns the textured stitch into a warm winter hat.

Chunky yarn helps the pattern work up quickly and makes the raised texture especially noticeable. This would be a useful project for craft stalls, charity donations or quick handmade Christmas gifts.

Hazel Textured Crochet Beanie

The free Hazel Beanie crochet pattern combines simple ribbing with the Suzette stitch.

The ribbed brim gives the hat a neat, finished appearance while the Suzette stitch adds texture to the main body. It looks more complicated than a basic crochet beanie but is still built from familiar beginner stitches.

Suzette Stitch Washcloth

For a small practice project, try the free Suzette Stitch Wash Cloth pattern from The Purple Poncho.

A washcloth is one of the best ways to practise a new crochet stitch because it is small, useful and not terribly demanding. Even if the first one is slightly wonky, it will still wash perfectly well.

Use a smooth cotton yarn so the cloth is absorbent and the stitch texture remains clearly visible.

Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth

The free Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth pattern adds another layer of texture to this familiar stitch combination.

Make several in coordinating colours and pair them with handmade soap for an easy spa-style gift. They are also useful little projects for testing unfamiliar cotton yarn before committing to a larger set.

Corner-to-Corner Suzette Stitch Washcloth

The free C2C Suzette Stitch Washcloth pattern gives the stitch a slightly different construction by working it from corner to corner.

This is a good next project after you have mastered ordinary flat rows. It lets you explore increasing and decreasing while still using the familiar Suzette stitch combination.

Suzette Stitch Afghan Square

The Suzette Stitch Afghan Square pattern turns the textured stitch into a smaller crochet block.

Afghan squares are useful for charity blankets, sampler blankets and portable crochet projects. You can make the squares individually, use up leftover yarn and join everything together once you have enough—although “enough” has been known to become a surprisingly flexible number in my craft room.

More Suzette Stitch Crochet Pattern Ideas

Once you are comfortable with the basic stitch, you can also use it to make:

  • Crochet mug cosies
  • Ear warmers and headbands
  • Fingerless gloves
  • Cushion covers
  • Tote bags
  • Baby rompers
  • Crochet cardigans
  • Lap blankets
  • Double-thick potholders

You can browse additional Suzette stitch crochet patterns on Etsy, including sweaters, baby blankets, beanies, mug cosies and accessories from independent crochet designers.

When choosing a pattern, check whether it uses US or UK crochet terminology. Also check whether it uses the traditional Suzette stitch—one single crochet and one double crochet worked into the same stitch—or a designer’s variation of it. That quick check can prevent a great deal of confused unraveling later.

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