Add a Little Bling...

Have you ever wondered about how to jazz up your knitting? Ever pondered the question: "What would make this piece really sing?"Surely you've had a moment of doubt when you were knitting because you thought the pattern was just too plain. I've had those moments - a lot! Then I found some yarn that had sparkle running through it and that was great because the bling was built right into the fiber. Hurrah!!! Then I started finding books that had beads knitted into the designs. WOWZER!!! I was hooked. I had loved beading little necklaces and bracelets with seed beads back in the 1960's. Now I had a new outlet for all kinds of beads - to be honest I was disappointed that I had not thought of this all on my own. I must have been under a brain fog at the time.

Beads can really make the mundane sparkle, they can add elegance to the country tweed, make a gift just a little more "awesome dude."  I love solid colored wool yarn, but in the end the finished project can still be a little flat - add some beads here and there and it's like making a picture on a Light Bright (another toy of the 60's) - the piece just comes alive. The pieces I design and sell always do better with a little bling. The chemo caps I make for cancer centers are always appreciated, but I get letters of thanks for the ones with beads. And in that situation, you can't ask for anything more than to know that you lifted someone's spirits at a really low point in their lives. And to think that little plastic or glass beads can bring that kind of pleasure, well it's a joy for me, it really, really is!!!

Beading is a great new skill to add to your repertoire. How nice to spice up your knitting and your enjoyment of the process on a cold winter's night. Then there is joy of teaching this skill to a friend or a child.  Let me just say that kids love adding beads (just the inexpensive pony beads that you purchase by the pound) to their projects. I find that it is a real confidence booster for them. It is a fun and friendly way to spend time with those we care about. Give it a try!

This week the book on the block is 25 Beaded Knits by: Debbie Abrahams - published in 2007. I checked and this book is still available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble online. If you have a Half Price Books in your area you might check there as well, as I found a copy for a friend there just recently. Debbie describes beads as transforming a plain fabric into something dazzling and she's so right. The projects in the book cover items for the home, the evening, daytime and kids (I'd say for pre-teens and teens especially.) There are a few lovely apparel items that would make smashing gifts and Mother's Day is just right around the corner (I know - how did that creep up on us so quickly. I mean this week it's March already - Ugh!)  

Beaded Slouch Socks (great for a dance -yoga - Pilates)

My favorite - the Beaded jacket. Lovely!

Let me just re-visit this idea of going to a Half Price Books - There are stores in 17 states and you can shop with them online. The closest HPB to my home is about an hour away, but I go there every time I'm in that city because I find tons of a great knitting, spinning, crocheting, looming and weaving books on their shelves. In this current economy I know that funds for knitting supplies and books probably take a bit of a hit and that's why HPB is such a deal. For example: When I bought my copy of 25 Beaded Knits several years ago, I paid about 25$ US, the copy I got my friend was 7.98US and it was a new book. That's less than half and it will make a great gift. I support any and all book stores, but I had to throw in a plug for HPB this weeks as I think they are hidden jewel especially when you find the budget a little tighter than usual.

OK - this week go and find yourself some beads and try knitting up a little something - see if you don't become addicted to this as a way to bling out your knitwear.

Knit on Read on.....
The Knitty Scribe.