Making Bead Crochet Samples Part I Beadwork July/August 2000 Return to Sampler Main Page I have eliminated the Navigation Bar on this page so that you can make your own personal copy. Just return to the Main Sampler Page to move around Beadwrangler's.

Bead crochet is the new "heat wave" in beading, no boundaries and lots of fun.  You can create some of the most unique items and combine them with beading and many other needle arts. I decided on these two samples because they are very easy to make, look gorgeous and you learn to add loops of beads to crochet. The sample in rows will curl up if not pressed and shapes like a big strawberry. You could make an additional sample, stitch it together in the curled position and incorporate it into art work or wearables. The sample in the round offers many possibilities. Make an extra one and use it as a centerpiece for a necklace, bracelet or broach. Have fun!

Introduction

General Stitch Tips - Bead Crochet
Pre-Stringing Beads - Beads can be strung directly from a twisted wire needle to crochet thread; the eye collapses as the beads pass through.

Thread Tails - When beginning and fastening off, leave 3" tails to stitch in or carry beginning thread.

Blocking  - Block flat samples to prevent curling. Set the iron at medium weight fabrics, polyesters. Set the sample with the beads face down, thread stitches face up, on an ironing board. Place a damp cloth over the sample. Set the hot iron down over the cloth and gently press with the iron a couple of times. Remove the iron and cloth and let the sample dry. Once it is dry, the iron can be moved over the back of the sample again to flatten the thread edges.

Bead Single Crochet Stitches
PH in next stitch for a sc stitch, pull up a strung bead next to the hook, yo, pulling up a loop and capturing the bead. Yo again, bringing the hook through both loops on the hook, completing the sc stitch. Make bead loops following the same instructions and yo behind the last bead pulled up for the loop.

Crochet Stitches and Abbreviations

Materials

• 11/0 Czech beads: Color 1 - Ruby S/L Rainbow, Color 2 - Brown Opaque, Color 3 - Topaz S/L Rainbow
• Delicas: Color 1 - Op Red Luster #214, Color 2 - Trsp Luster Metallic Red #116, Color 3 - Trsp Luster Metallic Rosegold #115
• YLI Jean Stitch Thread, Off White #23 (substitute DMC Cebelia #30 or #12 Pearl Cotton)

Notions

• twisted wire (flexible) needle, medium
• Steel Hook, 1.30mm (American 8 or 9)
• Sewing or embroidery needle
• Scissors

Sampler Instructions

Bead Loops in Rows

How to Make This Sample - blps in rows (20 sts across, 19 rows down)

Each row alternates with bsc loops and thread sc sts. PH through the back stitch half only.

Pre-string a mixture of 3 bead colors. There is a total of 9 thread rows and 10 bead rows. 300 beads per bead row, 3,000 total.

ch21, T, begin in 2^nd ch from hook

1 1bsc (15blp) in each stitch to end

2 ch1, T, 1sc in each st to end

3 ch1, T, 1bsc (15blp) in each st to end

4-19 Rep rows 2 and 3, alternating, ending with rep of row 3

Bead Loops in Flat Rounds

How to Make This Sample - blps in flat rounds (9 rounds)

PH under both stitch halves for the thread stitches and through the back stitch half for bead stitches. Pre-string color 3 beads. 2,040 beads total.

Ch 6 and join to form a ring (6sts)

1 ch1, work 12sc into ring and join with sl st (12sts)

2 ch1, 2bsc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch1 (24sts)

3 ch1 1bsc (9blp) in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch1 (24sts)

4 ch1, 1sc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch1 (24sts)

5 ch1, 2sc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch 1 (48sts)

6 ch1, 1bsc (15blp) in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch1 (48sts)

7 ch1, 1sc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch1 (48sts)

8 ch1, 2sc in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch1 (96sts)

9 ch1, 1bsc (21blp) in each st around, join with sl st to beg ch1 (96sts)

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