This is my very first beaded knitting project, finished back in 2005.
I have only worn this sweater once before, mostly because I
have a hard time finding something to wear with it (yes, it is one of those
projects).
The pattern is from Vintage Knits, a book I first discovered
at my local library, in their somewhat dismal crafts section. While I would have preferred the actual vintage
pattern with the keyhole opening and the beaded collar and cuffs, the patterns
have been reworked for a more modern look.
With a few more years of knitting experience under my belt, I would
probably have added beads to the ribbed arm and neck openings, but I am very
pleased with the result.
The most challenging part of the process was getting the
darn seed beads on the yarn. Once that was
accomplished, with the help of a bit of thread and a needle, the knitting was
very straight forward.
Because the front and back pieces are identical, I added a
small piece of yarn tied in a bow to create a “tag” – this way I always can
tell the front from the back.
Now I just have to find another skirt to wear with
it. Perhaps that is my cue to pull out
some fabric . . .
Sweater: Made by me.
Skirt: Made by me.
(McCalls 3315)
Shoes: Nine West
“Zann” in Pewter from 6pm.com
Your knitting is so even! I really like this and surprised you don't have much to go with it. It looks fab with this skirt though!
ReplyDeleteYour sweater is lovely. You should certainly make it a point to make more clothes to match it!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a knitter, but i am a beader.
For future reference, you may be able to use something like this to help with the seed beads.
http://www.beadspinner.net/page/page/3437207.htm
I have seen highly priced ones, made from hardwood, but i myself have a cheap version (found for about $7), and it works fine for the few-and-far-between times that i use it. It truly takes about 5 minutes to put inches of seed beads on a thread. A friend of mine who uses hers constantly, says the trick is in the needle. If you buy it new, it should come with a needle, but if you luck out and find a used one that is missing its needles, here are replacement ones:
http://www.firemountaingems.com/details.asp?PN=H203279TL
I do not know how big the yarn you use may be, but you could also make a needle out of a piece of wire- my friend had done that at one point- the curve at the end is important. If your yarn is too big, i'd use a needle and thread, then tie the thread to the end of the yarn, and thread the beads on that-a-way.
THanks for sharing your beautiful pieces with us.
angie