Knitting

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Giveaway: Beaded Lace Knitting

by 38 Comments

beaded lace knitting

And the winner is Karey!

Lace knitting is a lot of fun on its own, and adding beads to knitting brings a bit of sparkle that doesn’t have to add a lot of work.

But when you combine lace and beads in a knitting project, you can come up with something really special, better than either one on its own.

That’s the concept behind Anniken Allis’ book Beaded Lace Knitting, which includes tips on how to knit lace and how to add beads to a project (she uses the crochet hook method to add beads as you knit). The book includes 25 patterns for knitters of various skill levels, which are arranged by skill level in the book, so if you’re new to this kind of knitting you can start at the beginning.

There are lots of shawls in this collection, as you would expect, but there are also patterns for a poncho, a cape, cowls, vests and a cardigan (which is actually one of my favorites). Beads and lace add luxury to these projects, sometimes without a lot of fuss, and sometimes producing a truly special occasion garment.

If you’d like a chance to win a copy of this book (US residents only, please!) comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, July 12. I’d love to know about your experience with either lace, beaded knitting or both. I have done both techniques separately but I don’t think I’ve ever tried them together.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

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Comments

  1. I have yet to knit with beads. I have done a few lace shawl items I have made as gifts and have so enjoyed them.

  5. I have knit some lace projects, but never with beads. I’ve wanted to for a while but didn’t know where to start. I think this book would be great! 🙂

    Thank you for the giveaway.

  7. I have done several lace projects but only one small project with beads. I would love to do a larger project with beads and try new ways to add them to a project.

  8. I knit a lace shawl, my very first shawl and added beads with a crochet hook as I went. It’s very pretty but I’ve yet to wear it any place.

  10. I dabble in knitting since my retirement: however, I have never used beads when knitting. Knitted pieces with beads would be adorable. The book looks like a valuable resource for learning the process. Thanks for an opportunity to win the book.

  11. I haven’t learned how to knit with beads — yet! That would be fun to learn! Thank you for the opportunity to win!

  12. I love making shawls for the special people in my life, but have only crocheted with beads. This book would be perfect, because I would love to incorporate beads into my knitting!! In fact, I purchased beads already to get started, but have no patterns to help me, or to give me ideas. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!!

  14. I’ve not tried knitting or crocheting with beads yet. It’s on my to-do list because I really love the look of yarn with beads!

  15. love lace knitting – wrote 2 patterns .. but do not know how to add beads.. would be fun to learn … as I spin my own yarns :0)

  16. I have been afraid to try either knitting with beads or knitting lace stitches. This would certainly encourage me to try. Thank you for having the drawing.

  18. I have done the kind of knitting with beads where the bead sits between two stitches, but so far have never knitted a bead directly into a stitch! It looks so pretty though that I really do want to learn how to do it. This looks like a wonderful book, thank you for the chance to win it! 🙂

  19. well I too knit, and bead… but separately. I would love to try them together. Thanks for the beautiful give-aways!

  20. I have always loved the touch beads give crochet scarves. However I have never used them with my knitting. I am thinking if this is done with a crochet hook method how nice some of the pieces I have in my UFO area making for my wife would be with beads added. Thank you

  21. I have used beaded yarn and very pleased with the results. Would love to use my own creations with beads I choose. I do this in a limited fashion but lace and beads are WOW!!

  22. i would love to learn how to bead knit lace. I do bead knitting, using a glide flosser to add the beads but have never done it with a hook.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  26. I’ve done them both together but I thought I knew everything. I had great difficulty getting beads on and I must have placed them wrong because you really couldn’t see them from the front. It was beautiful none the less.

  27. I crocheted a lace afghan for my nephew’s wedding gift and added small beads into the trim in their colors – first try for me and they loved it!

  28. I looooove lace but have only tried beads a couple of times– this seems like a great way to get more comfortable!

  29. I love to do lace it is something you really get into. I have never tried adding beads to my lace. I have thought about it a lot but just never got around to it. This would give me the incentive to try now. Thanks for making it possible.

  30. My favorite things to knit are beaded lace shawls. This book would be a great addition to my library. I used the dental floss method to add my beads.

  31. I’ve done some simple beading and some simple lace patterns; but my only shawl, so far, was stockinette stitch with the sequins already threaded on the yarn.

  32. I love knitting with beads! Sometimes I prestring the beads and knit them in a design, sometimes I use a crochet hook and knit them in lace. I ask you, is there anything in life that isn’t made more wonderful by a little sparkle?

  33. I love knitting lace and add beads whenever I can… They add a little weight and sparkle to special scarves, shawls & sweaters.

  34. This is a techquiene that I have been meaning to learn. I love making lace shawls.

  35. My favorite project that included beads is a Citron shawl in laceweight silk that I beaded the bindoff. It really helps the shawl to lay nicely. Currently knitting a Dangling Conversation that has a beaded edge. Thanks for the chance to win the book!

  36. I started knitting lace two years ago with a Craftsy class and loved it so much that I took another class to learn knitting with beads. I love the look of beads in a shawl or scarf.

  37. I’ve crocheted with beads many times, but rarely knit with beads – even then, I add them in usually using the crochet hook versus stringing them onto the yarn.

  38. I haven’t knitted with beads yet, but I love the elegant look that they bring to any knitted item.

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four. 

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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