:: Winter 2008 
Feature
Knitting Jewelry with Beads
If you enjoy wearing knitted accessories, you may appreciate the beauty of knitted beaded jewelry. CyberFibres completed a knitted necklace project. The basic design is that you will knit a rectangle of fiber and beads that will be the length around your neck that you desire. Once you finish knitting the rectangle and cast off, the two long sides of the rectangle will curl in towards each other, forming an attractive beaded rope. Once you sew a magnetic clasp or a metal circle and hook to the ends, you will be ready to wear your creation. CyberFibres chose to loop the beaded necklace in the middle and gently stitch the loop to hold its shape, as shown in the photo.
Supplies include #8 Pearl Cotton or Rayon, circular size 000 knitting needles, 100 grams of mixed glass seed beads, and a metal clasp of your choice. All beads must be slipped onto your thread before you start knitting (see Advice).
Cast on 100 stitches (fewer, if a short necklace is desired), sliding beads along your thread and placing one bead between each completed cast on stitch and the next.
Row 1: K1, slide a bead in place. K1, slide another bead in place. Repeat to end of row.
Row 2: Knit without adding beads.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Continue in this manner until you have made 8 beaded rows, or until you are pleased with the appearance of the necklace. Cast off just as you cast on, sliding a bead in place after each cast off stitch. Sew in end threads and add metal clasp/hook or magnetic clasp. Size 000 needles will result in a 16” necklace. CyberFibres used size 1 needles to make a 24” necklace.
Follow your imagination to create rings and bracelets, too.