Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

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.

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?

Free Christmas Worry Worm Crochet Pattern With a Printable Gift Card

There’s something rather lovely about a handmade gift that says, “I was thinking of you,” without needing a large box, expensive supplies or three weeks of frantic crocheting.

Our Christmas worry worm is a sweet little example. It has a curly body, a smiling embroidered face and a pointed Santa hat, plus a decorative printable gift card that turns a small crochet project into a thoughtful festive present.

And yes, those little leftover balls of Christmas yarn finally have a job. Apparently, keeping them all was entirely reasonable.

A Christmas Twist on the Crochet Worry Worm

If you’ve enjoyed our original crochet worry worm project, this Christmas version offers a different construction and a festive finish.

The body is a narrow crochet corkscrew, while the head is a separate, lightly stuffed ball worked in continuous rounds. A small hat with a contrasting brim completes the character.

What I particularly like about this design is that the Christmas detail comes from the colours and that tiny hat. There are no fiddly fingers, miniature boots or elaborate accessories to sew together. The curly body gives it plenty of personality all by itself.

What Skills Will You Need?

This free Christmas worry worm crochet pattern uses chains, single crochet, increases, decreases and slip stitches. You’ll also need to work a magic ring, embroider a simple face and sew the three components together.

I’d describe it as an easy project for someone comfortable with basic crochet stitches and ready to try small amigurumi pieces. The tiny hat rounds may require a little patience, especially if you usually make blankets with a lovely big hook.

The materials are straightforward: DK or 8-ply yarn, a 3 mm hook, a little stuffing, black embroidery thread and a yarn needle.

Choose smooth yarn so you can see your stitches clearly. Fluffy yarn might look festive in the ball, but finding four tiny stitches in a magic ring is quite enough excitement without hiding them under eyelash fibres.

Make Santa, Elf or Snowy Christmas Versions

The same construction works in several Christmas colour combinations:

  • Traditional Santa: A red curly body, cream head and red hat with a white brim.
  • Christmas elf: A green body and green hat with a contrasting red brim.
  • Snowy Christmas friend: A white body and head, finished with a red-and-white Santa hat.

The faces are embroidered, and the hat tip has a few white stitches rather than a separate pompom. Keep those details simple and let the colour combinations do the decorating.

If seasonal variations are your weakness, our Easter bunny worry worm pattern is another idea to save for your next round of small handmade gifts.

The Printable Christmas Gift Card Makes It Feel Special

The accompanying printable card is the detail that brings this project together.

Watercolour-style poinsettias, holly, red bows and gold accents frame a short verse, with To and From lines for your message. A pale green space on the right holds