Monica Knits

This is the third in a series of articles on inserting beads and sequins in knitting. This one illustrates the use of a carrier yarn knitted along with the worsted weight yarn to insert small diameter beads on a worsted weight stocking stitch ground. The approach enables the use of beads otherwise too small to thread onto worsted or heavier weight fashion yarn. Read more.. for stepwise illustrated instructions and further discussion.

The fourth article in this series demonstrates a variation of the carrier yarn method in which the carrier is stranded and/or woven behind the work.

Supplies

1. Beading or small diameter sewing needle.
2. 4.5 mm diameter knitting needles.
3. Worsted weight fashion yarn.
4. Beads, Jewellery Fundamentals, Iridescent Blue Glass Beads, #14571 Size E (6/0), Made in China, Sulyn Industries.

Bead Insertion Steps
For this approach the beads are pre-loaded on a carrier yarn using a beading needle, and brought into position on the stocking stitch side for insertion. For illustration purposes, the carrier selected contrasts slightly with the worsted weight yarn.

Click on any of the thumbnails to view a larger image.

1. Beads have been pre-loaded on woolly nylon for this example, however a lace or fingering weight yarn could also be used as the carrier. The first bead is brought into position for insertion.
2. The carrier yarn and bead are held to the front of the knitting while a stocking stitch is knitted with the worsted weight yarn.
3. The carrier yarn is moved behind the needle.
4. Both the carrier and fashion yarn are knitted together until it is time for the next bead. Then the carrier yarn is brought to the front, a bead brought up and the process repeated.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

The first article in this series, Bead Insertion in Knitting, described stringing beads on yarn and purling beads into a 2 x 2 rib stitch ground. The second article, Bead Insertion - Slip Stitch Method, describes a slip stitch method of inserting beads into a stocking stitch ground.