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Here’s how my brain works: faced with a pretty steep to-do list today, I woke up with a brainstorm for spool-knitting with beads. And couldn’t get anything else accomplished until I’d explored it fully. At least I could justify my obsession as blog-fodder.
My brainstorm can be seen above: I’ve been puzzling over how to string all the beads onto the cotton string before it goes on the spool. What needle would be small enough to go through a bead, but big enough to hold the cotton?
The answer: no needle at all! Instead, I dipped the end of my string in some Stiffy, and hung it to dry. (Check it a couple times, too, to make sure that a bead of Stiffy doesn’t collect at the tip of the string.)
Now, the end of the string is rigid enough to be its own stringing tool! I’m inordinately excited about this. If I’m the last person in America to figure this out, I don’t want to know.
Wanna see how the rest of it works? Here you go:
First, string a whoooooooooole lot of beads onto your cotton string, leaving it attached to the ball as you see here. I used 6/o seed beads here — my “Froot Loop Mix.” (For the sake of a rough gauge, I strung about 16” of beads, and ended up with about 4” of beaded knit cord.)
Next, you slide all those beads away from you and free up some empty string. Then string the spool, and knit a few rows. (See my previous tutorial for that.)
Now, you can incorporate the beads. When it’s time to loop the string for your next row, slide the first bead on your string back toward you.
Now, loop the string on the spool as normal, but slide one bead at a time along the string, so that you end up with a bead in between each nail on your spool. See?
Then, knit as usual. (Incidentally, I’m loving my little loom knitting tool for spool-knitting – much easier than the small crochet hook.)
When it’s time to loop the next row, add more beads, just like you did in the previous row. See how they begin to stack up on top of one another?
Repeat this process again and again, and this will emerge from the bottom of your loom:
Pretty, no? And you can vary this strand a lot. If your spool has only three nails, you get a narrower cord. If your spool has six nails, a wider one. And if your spool has an even number of nails, then you have the option of placing a bead between every other nail, so your cord is less beaded and more knitted.
Whew! Maybe tomorrow, I’ll have sufficient attention span for that to-do list.
This is so cool. I used to make these with my children but I love the idea of using the stiffener and adding beads. Thank you for bringing such a diversity of creativity.
This is so cool. I used to make these with my children but I love the idea of using the stiffener and adding beads. Thank you for bringing such a diversity of creativity.
You’re definitely not the last person to think of this. I can’t see myself EVER figuring that out, even though it seems like it should be kindof obvious. Very ingenious of you! I’m wondering now, if your spooler has an odd number of pegs, what would it look like if your only beaded every other stitch? I’m thinking that the beads would form a spiral around the cord…maybe my own little experiment is in order? :-)
You’re definitely not the last person to think of this. I can’t see myself EVER figuring that out, even though it seems like it should be kindof obvious. Very ingenious of you! I’m wondering now, if your spooler has an odd number of pegs, what would it look like if your only beaded every other stitch? I’m thinking that the beads would form a spiral around the cord…maybe my own little experiment is in order? :-)
First, you are evil (and a genius). How are we going to keep from dropping everything and doing this? Second, I need to get one of those tiny spool knitters (my Clover one only makes chunky cords). Third, who the heck named “Stiffy?”
Great tutorial! :) I love the froot loop mix.
First, you are evil (and a genius). How are we going to keep from dropping everything and doing this? Second, I need to get one of those tiny spool knitters (my Clover one only makes chunky cords). Third, who the heck named “Stiffy?”
Great tutorial! :) I love the froot loop mix.
Spool knitting is new to me and before I even learn how to do it you are adding the feature of beads???? I am overwhelmed and heading to the store to find a spool and some beads!
Spool knitting is new to me and before I even learn how to do it you are adding the feature of beads???? I am overwhelmed and heading to the store to find a spool and some beads!
the thing with the glue and yarn is a stroke of genius, well done you.
i’ll be back to see what other crafty cunning is going on here!
the thing with the glue and yarn is a stroke of genius, well done you.
i’ll be back to see what other crafty cunning is going on here!
Oooh, I see myself doing this with 28g sterling wire and gemstones!
Oooh, I see myself doing this with 28g sterling wire and gemstones!
What a great idea! I just use a large-eye beading needle, the kind with the big hole in the center and not on the end. It works for all but the smallest seed beads (which don’t have holes big enough to fit on crochet thread anyway).
What a great idea! I just use a large-eye beading needle, the kind with the big hole in the center and not on the end. It works for all but the smallest seed beads (which don’t have holes big enough to fit on crochet thread anyway).
Brilliant! No need for a beading needle and you’re good to go!
Like the idea of placing a bead every time in between the nails and I, too, use that tool! I also love using metallic thread! Thanks!
Brilliant! No need for a beading needle and you’re good to go!
Like the idea of placing a bead every time in between the nails and I, too, use that tool! I also love using metallic thread! Thanks!
Hi! This is beautiful : )
I’m trying to find a place to buy a knitting spool like yours and was wondering where you bought yours? I wanted to buy a wooden one like yours! I tried google-ing (shinzi katoh, but i had trouble finding it) I’d really appreciate your feedback!! Thank u”s!!!
Hi! This is beautiful : )
I’m trying to find a place to buy a knitting spool like yours and was wondering where you bought yours? I wanted to buy a wooden one like yours! I tried google-ing (shinzi katoh, but i had trouble finding it) I’d really appreciate your feedback!! Thank u”s!!!
i love the idea of this project, i think i’ll add it to my holiday "to do!"
i thought you guys might like this one too: how to make a holiday wreath out of pinecones and other cheap ingredients. happy holidays!
i love the idea of this project, i think i’ll add it to my holiday "to do!"
i thought you guys might like this one too: how to make a holiday wreath out of pinecones and other cheap ingredients. happy holidays!
Hi there. The end of the cotton in stiffy is sooooooooooooo sensible ! Thank you so much. I found you by accident but it has been so worth the look ! I do not know if they are available where you live but I use what is called a split needle. Here is the web site that you can find it on. I know that they send overseas. I hope to find you again.
http://www.enterprisebeads.co.nz Look under tools. They are brilliant.
See you again one day
Hi there. The end of the cotton in stiffy is sooooooooooooo sensible ! Thank you so much. I found you by accident but it has been so worth the look ! I do not know if they are available where you live but I use what is called a split needle. Here is the web site that you can find it on. I know that they send overseas. I hope to find you again.
http://www.enterprisebeads.co.nz Look under tools. They are brilliant.
See you again one day
I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing.
I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing.
Ciao, ho pubblicato la lavorazione della caterinetta nel mio blog,
spero di faccia piacere
Carmela
http://www.manidarte.splinder.it
http://www.riciclando.it
http://www.donnafantasy.it
Ti spiace segnalare il mio blog nel tuo elenco?
Grazie
Ciao, ho pubblicato la lavorazione della caterinetta nel mio blog,
spero di faccia piacere
Carmela
http://www.manidarte.splinder.it
http://www.riciclando.it
http://www.donnafantasy.it
Ti spiace segnalare il mio blog nel tuo elenco?
Grazie
Thanks for the great idea, you have sparked my just gotta do some and I will incorporate into beading for presents to my 5 granddaughters.COOL, you rock.
Thanks for the great idea, you have sparked my just gotta do some and I will incorporate into beading for presents to my 5 granddaughters.COOL, you rock.