A bit more on beads

I chose uneven subtle beads

I'm working on a beaded scarf, a version of prethreaded beads, strung between stitches, rather than what I've done previously, which is attaching to the stitch - \o/ - it's legs as it were, while knitting the stitches, with a crochet hook - my preferred method.

However back to the Ravellenic (prev Ravelympics) knitting olympics which I do like to find something I've always wanted to try.

So. I started out on the machine, but quickly decided, after a couple of rows, to do this on 4.00 needles and try my hand at doing a two stitch garter strip up both sides.

Time for some pictures:

curling rather nicely on the edge

Light isn't the best but here they all are. in the background, on the left, is the other end, ready to go

I measured out both ends of the yarn so I didn't have to do a join in the middle. Plus a bit and when I came to the big knot, I stopped knitting, took it off and finish it off on 4.00mm.

So. having decided to give that technique a miss, I decided to see the best way to to the two stitch garter edge. And what I liked the best was:
Set the carriage to hold on the left.
bring out the two last needles both sides,
with the latch tool, take off the first stitch and manually form a stitch and put it back, same with the second.
knit one row - last two stitches didn't nit
take off the second last with the latch tool, knit a new stitch and put it back.
then the same on the last stitch
knit one row.
It's not too slow going, although it was for the first couple of rows till I worked out that that was the best way for me to do it.

It will need a press, to assist with the sides, then it will be ready to use - it's been a cold winter..

Beads, Beads, Beads

I love beads and beading. And knitting and my knitting stuff and my kitty. And we all live happily in my apartment.
I put beads on cards:

I put beads on shawls:

Usually I put them on hand knitted silk shawls and I've made a few in my time, however this week I've been experimenting with putting beads on my machine knits:

Experiment results. I did some hand tooling before I did the beads.

These beads are too big for the idea. The beads are prethreaded and this is where counting the first is an excellent idea, the needles in between the beaded sections are put into hold, UWP, beads placed, until each section has been knitted. This would look much better with small 5mm (5/0) or 3mm (8/0) glass seed beads. But I these were in the same box as the big plastic ones - I was checking the technique so I can do something similar in the Ravellenics.

This is one way of threading beads onto your yarn. Thread a very small needle with a sturdy thread, I used dental floss, tie a knot in the end and thread the yarn though it, about 10cm/4" should do it, thread them onto the needle and pull through, it is helpful to count up how many you need or you will have to keep pushing them along (or cut the yarn and unthread them. Another method is to get some PVA glue and make a point from the end of the yarn - rub it between your fingers to form a point, hang to dry and trim up the tip - this is a very easy way for a tight fit.

This is the 0.5mm crochet hook I use to put the bead on, take the stitch off the needle, hold firmly and pull the bead over it so it fits on both the "legs" of the stitch, making sure all of the wool is through the centre of the bead. Fishing line can also be used, thread the beads onto the fishing line, insert the end through the centre of the stitch, slip the end through the first bead, slip the bead onto the stitch "legs" and put the bead back on the needle.

I used a rouleau turner, it is too thick, but will be good for pony beads

And a day later, here is an excellent tutorial of the three methods of beading in hand knitting

Spin, Spin, Spin Beading Tutorial