Knitting With Beads

I finally made the leap of faith necessary (as well as had the chance to do the bead-stringing in daylight so I could see what I was doing!) to start my Mrs. Beeton wristwarmers yesterday afternoon, and was completely captivated by the process. I am grateful to Sallee, for modeling her version awhile back and getting me hooked.


Using the dental floss threader allowed me to pick up and string the individual seed beads onto the fingering mohair, Rowan Kidsilk Haze, which is threaded through and folded over the loop.


Here, all of the beads for the beaded cast-on are threaded, in groups of ten to help me keep count. That fuzzy white thing isn't my tablecloth, but a special beading mat that my dear friend Leslie sent me, as well as the dental floss threader. It keeps the beads from rolling off the table and is a real lifesaver; I used to bead weave on a loom, and would always be finding lost beads stuck in the floorboards days later.

I was so excited once the bead cast-on was completed that I charged through the first wristwarmer:


One hand covered, one more to go... I love the two belled layers, and though this Victorian-era lighting might enhance the mood, it doesn't adequately show off the lovely beaded edging on the inner belled ruffle.

I do think that I would need to find a faster way to string beads if doing a larger piece, such as a knitted beaded purse. Leslie insists that there is a special bowl that spins and threads the beads onto the needle for you, so that such more elaborate work is possible! I am content with the beaded wristwarmers for now, and will reveal what the other yarn I used was tomorrow, for this week's Product Review.