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Beads And Crochet – Have You Tried it?

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I wish I  had a picture of the knitted shawl which inspired my quest for crochet patterns that would benefit from the addition of beads.  Georgia, the owner of Hearthstone Knits, my favorite LYS, knitted a shawl that was beautiful on its own.  However, with the addition of diamond shaped beads edging the lower edge of the shawl, it went from beautiful to stunning!  Could I do this?  Could I take a ‘regular’ pattern and turn it into something spectacular with the addition of beads.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am the owner of thousands of beads, having amassed quite a collection in years past when I created bracelets, earrings, and necklaces for myself and others (minus the crochet).

I found some amazing websites that offer beads, tutorials, patterns, and everything one needs to incorporate beading and crochet.  Here are some of what I found:

First, for a little inspiration in the modern use of beads and crochet, how about this?

http://kristinaskrochet.50webs.com/rainforest.htm

I don’t know how long it took to design or crochet this, but I do know that it looks better in this photo than it would on me!  However, for the bikini bod crocheters out there, here’s your inspiration.

The combination of beads plus crochet instantly brings jewelry to mind.  I have two antique crochet/beaded lariats that belonged to my grandmothers.  They are virtually identical, differing only in the small beaded attachments on the large bead that makes the lariat.  Here are basic instructions to make a beaded rope.

How about adding beads to a doily?  Here’s how.

And, here’s a really cute way to embellish pretty angel ornaments with tiny beads.

Great gift, great stocking stuffer, great idea for ornaments.  Can’t go wrong with these!

Grab yourself a handful of pretty beads (I strongly prefer glass) and find a way to add them to your crochet.  Swarovski crystals are a favorite of mine and will work in any of the applications I’ve posted here.  They come in a huge variety of colors and a good range of sizes.  If you can’t find them locally, check out www.shipwreckbeads.com or www.stonemountaingems.com for good selection and good prices.

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Crochet Baby Beanie – A Sweet Beginner-Friendly Hat Pattern for Baby Showers and Handmade Gifts

This Crochet Baby Beanie is one of those simple little patterns that makes a really lovely handmade gift. It uses soft Bernat Softee Baby yarn for the hat, a fluffy Pipsqueak edging, and an optional crochet flower on the side, giving it that cute baby-shower-ready finish.

What makes this one appealing is that the shape is worked in easy rounds, starting with a magic circle and increasing up to 48 stitches before moving into the textured post-stitch section. The fluffy edging softens the whole look, and the added flower gives it a sweet decorative touch without making the project feel too fussy.

I also like that it feels like a pattern you could easily customize. You could skip the flower for a simpler baby beanie, change the colors for a more modern look, or keep the pink-and-white version for a classic handmade baby gift. It has that practical “quick weekend project” feel, which is always handy when a baby shower sneaks up on you.

If you’re looking for an easy crochet baby hat pattern with a soft, cozy finish, this one is definitely worth a look. It’s cute, giftable, and the fluffy trim gives it a little extra charm.