Crochet

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BEADS AND CROCHET – A CHARMING COMBINATION

by

This might be the primo site combining beading and crochet:

bead-wrangler.jpg

http://www.beadcrochet.com/

This site has kits and beads for sale, how-to’s, and other interesting things to check out.

About.com is always a good site to check out when you want to learn something new. This article teaches a variety of ways to incorporate beading into your crochet:

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa030197.htm

Of course, a lot of us with little girls or granddaughters would like to make things like this:

beaded-socks.jpg
http://members.aol.com/SAG55/drbsock.html

And, here’s a charming little beaded tree that could be used as a brooch or an ornament:

bead-tree.GIF

http://members.tripod.com/~Shefog/CrochetWorkroom/9.html

But, beads can be used for all kinds of things – and all sizes of beads:

beaded-basket.jpg

http://crochetme.com/patterns/beaded-jute-basket

Crochet Pattern Central has a lot of freebies for bead crochet. You can check it out at this link:

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/bead_crochet.php

If you want to go more upscale, try some things at this site:

victorian-crochet.jpg
http://www.victoriancrochet.com/

Annie’s has some free patterns for beaded amulet bags. These are really pretty little things:

beaded-bags.jpg

http://www.knitting-and.com/crochet/beaded-amulet-bags.htm

And, I LOVE this pretty bracelet:

beaded-bracelet.jpg

http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/07/crochet-beaded-bracelet_30.html

Beads are available at most craft stores (Michael’s, Joann’s, Hobby Lobby in my area), but my favorite source for beads is Shipwreck Beads in Olympia, WA. Unlike most mail order businesses, I actually had the chance to browse in their ‘real’ store. It’s just a wonderful place with excellent prices. Might I suggest that you stick to glass or crystal beads for most of your crochet. Plastic is fine for kids’ socks and a few other applications, but glass, crystal, and ceramic beads and even most metal beads will got through the washer and dryer with little additional care needed. So, open your mind to a new way to crochet if you haven’t already tried combining beads with your crochet.

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Comments

  1. Dear JD,
    Thank you for sharing this article.I also love work with beaded in crochet. Bead and crochet is a great patner I think :). This article inspire me again like charger to me.

    I have tried make some projects with it. If you want to look at them, click the link below :
    Purse
    http://dinamiccrochet.blogspot.com/2006/11/flower-beaded-punch-purse.html
    Doily
    http://dinamiccrochet.blogspot.com/2006/10/wood-beaded-doily.html
    Scrunchy
    http://dinamiccrochet.blogspot.com/2006/09/beaded-scrunchie-many-design-i-made-for.html

    Happy crocheting always,
    thata

  2. Thank you for the lovely eye-candy article. It was loaded with things that give a crocheter inspiration and the urge to try something new.
    Your efforts at finding new and interesting things in the crochet area is greatly appreciated.

Have you read?

Pattern Review: Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern

The Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern is one of those fun wearable crochet projects that has just the right mix of retro charm and modern festival style. If you have been seeing granny square bucket hats popping up everywhere and thinking, “I could make that,” this pattern is a lovely place to start.

This crochet bucket hat is worked in the round using granny-style clusters, giving it that familiar textured look without requiring you to join lots of separate squares. That is a definite win if, like me, you enjoy the look of granny motifs but don’t always feel emotionally prepared for a mountain of seams and ends.

The pattern uses worsted weight #4 yarn, with cotton or a cotton blend recommended, which makes sense for a summer hat. Cotton gives the hat a bit more structure and keeps it feeling breathable rather than floppy and sweaty. You’ll need around 80g of yarn, a 5.5mm crochet hook, scissors, and a yarn needle. The finished hat is designed to fit a head circumference of approximately 51–55cm / 20.1–21.7 inches, which puts it in the adult small/medium range.

What I like about this pattern is that it includes practical fit notes rather than pretending every head and every crocheter’s tension is magically the same. The granny mesh has stretch, and the pattern suggests trying the crown on after Round 5 before continuing with the body section. That is such a useful little check-in point, especially with hats, because nobody wants to finish the whole thing only to discover it either perches on top like a teacup or slides down over your eyes like a lampshade.

The instructions are written in US crochet terms and include a clear stitch key covering chains, clusters, double crochet, repeats, slip stitches, and spaces. The pattern also explains how the rounds are closed, how the beginning chain functions, and how to count the clusters at the end of each round, which is helpful for keeping the shape on track.

The construction is straightforward: you begin at the crown, continue down into the sides, and then work the brim. The brim shaping comes from an increase round that helps kick the edge outward into that classic bucket hat shape. Rounds 15–17 then hold steady to smooth out the brim edge, giving the hat a neat finish without making the shaping feel overly complicated.

I would call this an easy to confident beginner crochet pattern rather than a very first crochet project. You’ll want to be comfortable working in the round, counting repeats, and making double crochet clusters. Once the rhythm clicks, though, it becomes a relaxing, repeat-friendly project — the sort of crochet you can work on while half-watching TV, provided you don’t lose count during the increase rounds. Ask me how I know.

This pattern also has great colour-play potential. The yellow version feels sunny and wearable, the scrap yarn version has brilliant festival energy, and a red-and-green version would make a surprisingly cute Christmas market hat. It would also be a good stash-busting crochet project if you have leftover cotton yarns hanging around from dishcloths, bags, or summer tops.

Overall, the Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat is a cheerful, wearable crochet pattern with strong Etsy appeal. It hits that sweet spot between nostalgic granny square style and modern handmade fashion, making it a great pattern for festival outfits, summer wardrobes, handmade gifts, and market sellers looking for a trendy crochet accessory.

Best for: confident beginners, granny stitch lovers, summer crochet projects, festival fashion, scrap yarn makes, and crocheters who want a wearable project that feels fun rather than fussy.