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To bead or not to bead

2771 views 7 replies Latest reply: December 22, 2009 at 7:17:45 PM

Member since:
Nov 24, 2009
Posts: 270

wizdmzchyld message #1
To bead or not to bead
November 25, 2009 at 5:57:12 PM

Hello, has anyone ever tried combining knitting and beading? I make felted hats and was considering trying bead work along the hatband area. Would the beads, ( I bought some beautiful little glass beads today at an LYS), to continue, would the beads disappear into the fabric if they are applied prior to the fulling process in the washing machine?

Thanks
Charlene

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: To bead or not to bead
November 26, 2009 at 12:20:44 AM

Charlene,

That's an excellent question, and I hope someone will be able to answer it soon! (I wish I could.) Just off the top of my head, I would think you'd want to apply the beads after fulling. If you apply them beforehand and don't leave enough "give" (or leave too much), my concern would be the beadwork would either hang or cause the knitting to buckle.

Also, I'd have concerns about some of the materials you're using. It sounds like you're talking about weaving the beads with peyote or square (or another) stitch, then applying - is that correct? (In other words, rather than knitting the beads in.) I'd definitely pay attention to how well the type of thread you're using and the beads will hold up to the fulling process. Some of the bead finishes also may not hold up. Lined beads can tarnish or scratch on the inside...dyed beads will run terribly. I once resurrected dyed Delica beads that had been through a flood...they're useless for anything that needs reliably uniform color. It's not terribly noticeable, thankfully, but the materials I used to dry the beads (LOL, knee-hi stockings, anyone?) ended up with some lovely extra color.

Now, if you're talking about knitting the beads in, please disregard what I said above! In that case, and also off the top of my head, I'd say that as long as the beads aren't terribly small, they should settle in nicely, without getting lost in your knitting.

Your hats sound beautiful, and what a great idea to embellish the hatbands with beading!

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

Member since:
Nov 24, 2009
Posts: 270

wizdmzchyld message #3
Re: To bead or not to bead
November 26, 2009 at 8:01:27 AM

Thank you. I think this is going to involve experimentation. The beads I bought yesterday were rather small. I've decided to try a small design on the hatband area for starters and see what happens. It might come down to applying them after the fact. *sigh* Still, this is my first adventure in beading.

Charlene

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #4
Re: To bead or not to bead
November 26, 2009 at 8:44:48 PM

Charlene,

You're welcome! If they're small beads and you're knitting them into the design, I'd definitely suggest working up a sample to see if the beads disappear after fulling, as your eye would be the best judge of all and you know the specific effect you would like to produce. If they do disappear, you may want to go with larger beads for this purpose. Perhaps then you might think of saving the too-small beads for knitting with a fiber such as a superwash wool.

Member since:
Nov 24, 2009
Posts: 270

wizdmzchyld message #5
Re: To bead or not to bead
November 27, 2009 at 7:28:26 AM

After a bit of thought, it occurred to me that there's a sweater in the basement that was accidentally felted in the washer. I believe I'll cut a shape out of that sew the beads on and attach it to the hat I will make for it and felt the beaded shape onto the hat. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Charlene

Quote:

Charlene,

You're welcome! If they're small beads and you're knitting them into the design, I'd definitely suggest working up a sample to see if the beads disappear after fulling, as your eye would be the best judge of all and you know the specific effect you would like to produce. If they do disappear, you may want to go with larger beads for this purpose. Perhaps then you might think of saving the too-small beads for knitting with a fiber such as a superwash wool.

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #6
Re: To bead or not to bead
November 27, 2009 at 2:51:52 PM

Charlene,

Super...I hope you can end up using the beads you bought for hats, then!

Wheat

Member since:
Dec 22, 2009
Posts: 27

Wheat message #7
Re: To bead or not to bead
December 22, 2009 at 6:48:22 PM

Quote:

Hello, has anyone ever tried combining knitting and beading?

Everything is always better with beads isn't it?

Quote:

I make felted hats and was considering trying bead work along the hatband area. Would the beads, ( I bought some beautiful little glass beads today at an LYS),

Are we talking felting as in starting with loose fibers, or felting/fulling a knit or crochet project?

Since you started by asking about K&B, I'll assume the second

Quote:

would the beads disappear into the fabric if they are applied prior to the fulling process in the washing machine?

Like all things craft or computer, the answer is always maybe

In my experience it is always best to use beads that about 1.5-2x the size of the diameter your yarn.

What I would suggest is that you consider a two step felting process.

Complete your knitting of the item, then full it a bit - allow to dry - then apply your beads.

Then continue the felting/fulling process until you get the desired density of fabric.

It is also important to be a bit careful about the finish you select for the beads. Mattes tend to get lost
and of course you won't want to use dyed or color lined since they will likely lose these features.

HTH

Wheat

Its All Just String:
http://www.ItsAllJustString.com

Member since:
Nov 24, 2009
Posts: 270

wizdmzchyld message #8
Re: To bead or not to bead
December 22, 2009 at 7:17:45 PM

THANK YOU. That's exactly what I needed to know. I hadn't thought of dividing up the fulling process. I usually just say felt because it is the term people are familiar with but you're right, fulling is the correct term. Your advice is much appreciated.

LOL, about the beads themselves, I haven't any idea what I bought. I let the lady take them out of the tube and put them in a plastic baggie. She offered to write down what they were but I was too silly to take her up on that. I was in a hurry that day.

Anyway, they're very pretty and very shiny. (wish me luck)

Charlene

Quote:

Hello, has anyone ever tried combining knitting and beading?

Everything is always better with beads isn't it?

Quote:

I make felted hats and was considering trying bead work along the hatband area. Would the beads, ( I bought some beautiful little glass beads today at an LYS),

Are we talking felting as in starting with loose fibers, or felting/fulling a knit or crochet project?

Since you started by asking about K&B, I'll assume the second

Quote:

would the beads disappear into the fabric if they are applied prior to the fulling process in the washing machine?

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