Knitting

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Giveaway: Beaded Lace Knitting

by

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.

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: Knitted Safari Friends – 20 Adorable Animals to Make

If you have a weakness for knitted animals wearing tiny clothes, Knitted Safari Friends by Sarah Keen is going to be very difficult to resist.

This colourful collection includes 20 safari and savannah animals to knit, including a lion, tiger, elephant, flamingo, hippo, crocodile, rhinoceros, zebra and giraffe.

And yes, many of them have their own little outfits.

The lion in purple overalls is probably enough to sell me on the whole book.

Cute Animals With Plenty of Personality

What I like about this collection is that the animals are clearly designed as characters rather than realistic wildlife models.

They are bright, friendly and a little quirky, which makes them particularly appealing as handmade gifts for children or animal-loving adults.

Looking at the sample pages, the hippo and flamingo patterns have a cheerful illustrated layout, with the finished animals shown in little safari scenes alongside the practical pattern information.

There is also plenty of variety in the shapes, which means you aren’t simply knitting the same basic body 20 times and changing the ears.

If knitted animals with interchangeable clothes are already your thing, have a look at our Knitted Wild Animal Friends book review. That collection includes elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, zebras and other animals with an entire wardrobe of tiny knitted clothing.

Is Knitted Safari Friends Beginner Friendly?

The publisher describes the patterns as easy to follow, and the book includes a techniques section, abbreviations and knitting conversions to help you through the projects.

I would still put this more in the confident beginner to intermediate category rather than recommending it as someone’s very first knitting project.

Toy knitting usually involves shaping, joining pieces, stuffing and finishing neatly, and that finishing stage can sometimes take almost as long as the knitting itself.

Ask anyone who has ever had a finished knitted animal sitting in pieces on the craft table for three weeks waiting for its legs to be sewn on.

For knitters who are still learning the basics of toy making, our Knitted Amigurumi Animal Friends review is another useful option, with smaller animals and simple clothing pieces.

A Great Gift Knitting Book

These would make lovely handmade gifts for children, particularly if you matched the animal to their favourite safari creature.

You could also knit several of them together as a nursery display or create your own little safari collection.

The clothes and accessories add another level of fun, too. Once you’ve knitted an elephant, there is something wonderfully satisfying about then deciding what that elephant ought to wear.

Apparently this is where my crafting priorities are now.

My Take

I think Knitted Safari Friends is one of those books that you buy intending to make one project and then immediately start planning an entire knitted zoo.

The bright colours, cute facial expressions and tiny outfits give the animals loads of personality, while the variety of creatures should keep the knitting interesting.

Sarah Keen has been designing knitted toys for years, and that experience shows in the way these animals have been turned into characters rather than simply miniature versions of real wildlife.

If you enjoy toy knitting, handmade gifts or anything involving animals in overalls, this one is definitely worth a look.

Knitted Safari Friends: 20 Adorable Animals to Make is written by Sarah Keen and published by GMC Publications. It was released on April 21, 2026, with a listed RRP of $26.99.