French Knitter Using Yarns and Other Fibers

Okay so Monofilament has a mind of its own, but we so absolutely love the “floating” look of the beads!  We can’t get enough of this look.

This week we are going to step back and suggest using yarn, embroidery floss and crochet thread.  Yarn is, of course, one of the first fibers used with the wooden/nail spool knitters of childhood….but let’s take another look at the fibers available today.

A very simple and fun way to get familiar with the French Knitter is to just make 2 cords the length for a necklace.  Pass silver pony beads over both cords spacing them evenly.  Add a closure finding and a pendant for an impressive, but very easy creation.

Materials:

Cotton sport weight yarn Bright aqua

Acrylic sport weight yarn Navy with navy metallic

11 Sliver Pony Beads

1      Ribbon Clasp closure

1      Turquoise stone Pendant

Each cord uses the 4-peg head

Next let’s add beads!

Pre string 40 Beads onto the yarn, use the 4-peg head.  Knit five rounds without any bead on the sixth round place a bead between a peg.  Then knit five more rows and place a bead between the same peg as before.  Continue until all beads are used.

Have fun when adding beads onto embroidery floss to include evenly spaced large beads with small ones.

Tips:

• If you want to try different threads as your cord, test them by breaking the thread with your own hands…if it breaks too easily…don’t use it.
• Often the metallic threads will break especially from the abrasion of the beads sliding across the surface.  Take care when selecting beads and make sure they slide easily over the fiber.
• There is a lot of stretch with most yarns.  If you are making a bracelet, make it approximately one inch smaller than your wrist measurement. Use a toggle closure.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1CmUcoy1ks&w=560&h=315]

Enjoy the next weeks French Knitter Jewelry saga……

3/15 – USING YARNS, EMBROIDERY THREADS, AND OTHER FIBERS

3/22 –  HOW-TO: COMBINE 2 DIFFERENT FIBERS INTO ONE FABULOUS LOOK

3/29 –  PLAYFUL EMBELLISHMENTS

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