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BEAD IDEAS and PROJECTS Making jewellery with beads. FREE PATTERN - CROCHETED NECKLACE OR BRACELET
Here is a great idea for a crocheted necklace or bracelet, using beads that looks fantastic, and is so very easy using mainly a simple chain stitch. You will need two small split rings, and a set of catches. a Size 2(mm) crotchet hook, and No. 8 Perle Cotton colour of your choice, to match your beads. And a selection of beads, work on the theory that you will want some that will dangle, some medium sized and some smaller, have a selection of shapes and sizes. You will need approximately 130 beads for a necklace and 60 beads for a bracelet. Try to stick to a colour theme that you like, and add a little bit a variation with a small amount of a complementary colour. For example, if you are using all greens, you may wish to have a little brown or gold to accent and compliment your colour choice. We do sell kits for this pattern, click here to see our colour ranges.
Don't cut the cotton to any length, just take the loose end from the ball, thread it through the hole of a small needle, and start to thread on your beads. Remembering you have different size and colour and shape beads, take the time to sort through them as you put them on, making sure you vary which bead you put on next.. Now start with a slip knot on the end of the cotton, insert your crotchet hook, and pull loop snug. Start with a double crotchet into a small split ring, once the ring is attached to your cotton, do 5 chain (for a bracelet and 20 chain for a necklace) and then slide your first bead along, up near the hook, and do a chain using the thread from the other side of the bead, you are including the bead in your chain stitch, then do a further 3 chain, and bring another bead up to attach with a chain. Leave approximately 2 or 3 chain between each bead and continue to the end. For a necklace keep going till you reach a length of approximately 50 cm, then do a further 20 chain, and a double into the other split ring. This is the first strand of your necklace complete. You now do another 20 chain, and start the process again back the way you have come, after the last bead is added do a further 20 chain and a double into the first split ring again. Continue on this way till you have completed 5 strands of your necklace. If you are making a bracelet. You don't need to do the 20 chain before and after the split rings, this time make it just 5 chain. And instead of making a long necklace, this time for a bracelet you should measure your wrist and add a few centimetres, you will have to see how much room the combination of the two split rings and the catches takes up and take that away from it, and make your crocheted strands the measurement of the difference. i.e. your wrist measurement is 17cm add 3 cm = 20cm, the catches and rings take up 3cm, now take 3 away from 20, and make your crocheted and beaded bracelet 17 cm between the rings. The beads are all different sizes and you may wish to do less or more than chain stitch sometimes in between the beads, leave it to the end strand, see how many beads you have left, and adjust as necessary. To end off do your last double crotchet into the ring, cut the thread and do one more chain pulling it through the loop. To end off thread the cotton back through some crotcheted chain and trim. Last of all attach the catches. For a special touch to a bracelet, look for a beautiful ornamental catch, such as that pictured above. Kits are available for trying your own crocheted jewellery in a variety of colours, click here. USING SEED BEADS Czech seed bead hanks are very handy. You can knit or crotchet with them, of course, but another great idea is with jewellery, and if you have ever tried to find and thread single seed beads one after the other, you will know what I mean. It couldn't be simpler when the beads are already pre-strung onto hanks. Follow the pictures and instructions below for easy stringing in your next jewellery project.
The hanks come tied with a loose double knot at the top, to ensure safe delivery and handling till you are ready. So first undo the two knots. Now separate one strand (or loop) of beads from the hank by pulling it gently out from the others.. At one end of the strand tie a knot that the beads cant slip past. At the other end form a loop, by tying a slip knot. You are now ready to transfer the beads smoothly over onto your thread or pearl cotton or whatever you need it on for your project. Thread the end of the thread/perle cotton into the loop and pull it through approx 10 cm folding it over and holding in place whilst you start the process of gently sliding the beads from the strand onto the thread. Once they are all over discard the empty strand cotton, and start again with another. Till you have as many as you need. FREE PATTERN - STRUNG SEED BEAD NECKLACE (1)
All Tied Up Necklace. I love this one, it looks so simple and elegant, and versatile. 1 hank of seed beads Good strong beading thread and one beading needle or needle slim enough to fit through the seed bead. 16 larger contrasting seed beads 8 ornamental hanging beads for the ends Cut 4 lengths of thread approximately 150 cm long.
Start with the first one, and thread one of the end
Hang the four strings around your neck so that they are equal length take the 8 lengths and tie in a loose knot letting the rest hang loose. This is pictured above left. Take the four strings and fold in half and tie a slip knot loop there, then pass the ends through the slip knot, so it hangs loosely around your neck. This makes the necklace thicker and shorter, and is pictured left. Try knotting it loosely around your waist as a hanging belt. FREE PATTERN - STRUNG SEED BEAD NECKLACE (2)
Two split rings 1 hank of seed beads Good strong beading thread One beading needle, or needle slim enough to fit through the seed beads. Very simple, very pretty, letting the beauty of the beads speak for themselves. Cut the thread into 6 lengths 120 cm long. Taking the first thread, knot one end twice to one of the rings .Separate one of the twelve loops of seed beads from the hank, instructions for this are above, now using the technique mentioned for easily transferring the beads from the hank onto the thread, string all those beads onto the cotton. Then tie on the next ring at the end tying a knot twice, and repeat the procedure with another strand separated from the hank. Tie into the first split ring again, tying a knot twice and end off by using a beading needle, thread the loose ends back through the strung beads. Take the next pre-cut length of thread and repeat, until you have used all of your beads and finished off all the ends. Lastly attach the catches. If you feel unconfident in your knots, apply a little touch of glue or clear nail polish to the knot, to add to its strength. |
