Easy Beaded Knits

Oct 06

Knitting and beadwork are currently enjoying increased popularity, so why not combine the two for a feast of fun and fashion? Make twenty projects ranging from wearables like belts, scarves and wraps to home furnishings like cushions and throws, or liven up exisiting items by making embellishments such as corsages, collar and cuff sets and novelty trims.

You know this is another quality Search Press book when even the contents page is delightfully illustrated with small pictures of the items! The projects are even graded, so you know what you can tackle without too much time spent puzzling out instructions that might be too advanced. As usual, you can find out all about the nature of the beast(s) with a guide to yarns, beads and tools. There is even a section starting from scratch with how to hold the yarn, although total beginners might want to start knitting just with yarn and tackle beads later. The projects make up the bulk of the book, and are handsomely illustrated together with copious instructions for foolproof knitting. You can even make a cushion cover out of suede thronging, as well as getting to grips with a variety of yarns. This is the sort of book that makes a grand present for somebody who has knitted some simple items but wants a but more of a challenge, and some fairly fast and fashionable projects. Another winner!

No. 103, Feb/Mar 07

This practical book introduces twenty easy to follow designs for quick and easy projects as varied as a funky felted belt, a slant-patterned sequinned scarf, a laced bikini, a float choker and bracelet, a snuggly collar with cuffs and many more clothes and accessories.

There is a detailed introduction into materials, tools and techniques including easy to follow stitch guides. The projects are all described in a step-by-step manner with excellent colour photography throughout. A perfect guide to combining knitting techniques with beading.

Dec 06/Jan 07

A good one to point out to keen knitters! Taking knitting one step further, this book gives full instructions for techniques for incorporating beads into knitwear. There are patterns for twenty stylish garments and accessories, from bags and chokers to evening wraps and bikinis!

Feb 07

The projects in this book are divided (in the beginning of the book) into three different skill levels. If you are a beginner and don't know how to change colors or do the shaping the projects with the beginner skill level will be perfect for you. Of course with all the techniques being explained in the first 40 pages I'm sure a beginner can manage the other levels just as well.

The Quick & Easy Projects chapter contains 20 projects that are all embellished with beads and sequins from wearables like bags, belts and jewelry to garments such as shrugs and capes as well as some very nice home accessories like cushions, a throw and scented sachets.

The one project that caught my eye the most was the floral striped bolster. The beads used are very small so they are more like diamonds put on the bolster. The baby colours used, light pink and light blue are so soft for the eye and together with the beads this bolster just looks like one (more) piece to treasure forever. I'm sure you'll never have a bolster as beautiful as this one!

Another project that immediately caught my eye was the slanted sequined scarf as I have never seen a scarf as beautiful as this one. Most of the scarf projects I see in books are rather boring but this one is so pretty and trendy. Whether you want it to be with or without the beads it's guaranteed to make everyone jealous of your scarf ! Once again the contrast of the chosen colors is very well done.

As I said before one of the definite pro's of this book is the use of matching colors that just look perfect together and these projects wouldn't look as good with other colors. Also the use of simple beads and sequins make the projects more normal and less extravagant because if you'd make something to wear and you actually want to wear it outside I don't think you'd like to have big flashy beads or sequins.