Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Yarn Along: Strung Out

I am completely addicted to knitting with beads. When I first started this project as part of the Knitmore Girls Summer of Lace and Beads, I really struggled. I began with the bottom-up version of the pattern, which requires a cast-on of hundreds of stitches. I was so clumsy with the tiny crochet hook recommended to place the beads.  After a couple of rows, the project languished.
Then I found OralB Superfloss, a dental floss that lots of knitters have been using to place beads, instead of fumbling with the crochet hook. It really made a difference. I also got the top down version of the shawl, so that I could find my groove on a small number of stitches. The charts seem clearer too, but maybe that's just me. Anyway, I'm having so much fun working on it and I highly recommend giving knitting with beads a try. 

I'm reading Love and Salt: a Spiritual Friendship Shared in Letters on my nook, slowly but surely. It was a gift from Muiche, who always writes the most wonderful letters to me, so it is especially meaningful to me.


15 comments:

MamaBirdEmma said...

It's gorgeous! I think that I may have to try it out sometime!

Shirley-Ann said...

Dental floss and knitting - it's the first time I've heard about it! What a clever person who thought about that!

Erin said...

Beautiful start! I started my first bead work because of the Knitmores' challenge as well, and the crochet hook isn't awesome to work with- fortunately for mine I'm only placing about 20 beads. I'll have to try the floss- I'm glad it has worked well for you!

Deb Hickman said...

Very pretty, I'm going to give a beaded pattern ago, soon. X

Jess said...

Love the idea of dental floss instead of the crochet hook! I haven't been able to make the hook work for myself.

Melonie said...

Oh, it's lovely! My knitting teacher recommends dental floss for lifelines too - one more reason to keep it in stock (well, other than the original purpose haha). I am so looking forward to when I am skilled enough to work with beads. Thank you for the inspiration!

elizabeth said...

very nice! way to find ways to do this! :)

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I've never used beads but just saw a shawl on ravelry that I love. Might have to give it a try sometime.

Lori ann said...

it is looking so lovely! enjoy!

Donna said...

So pretty! I really need to do some knitting with beads. It really is fun and the results are amazing. I can't wait to see your finished project!

Hannah said...

It looks beautiful - I hadn't heard about the dental floss thing before so thanks for sharing!

Lisa said...

Beautiful project! I've not knit with beads ever, but it's something I eventually want to try...who'd have thought of dental floss? Knitters are amazing. :)

Unknown said...

I have yet to knit with beads, but it's on my knitting bucket list. I'll have to remember the dental floss tip.

paula@weewhimsicals said...

So pretty. And you look like such an organized knitter. I admire that. :)

CathieJ said...

I will have to try knitting with beads once I actually practice knitting some more. Your shawl is beautiful.