Lately I've been seeing a lot of interest in crochet and beads. Past just doing crocheted ropes, a lot of people who both crochet and bead are interested in more ways to combine the two crafts.
One of my favorite parts about crocheting with beads is how fast it is and how easy it is to fall into repetition while working which makes it's a perfect portable project. Once your beads are threaded on your wire or cotton, you just need that, your hook, and a small pair of scissors. I remember my grandmother crocheting long strands of gold thread accented with fake pearls to use as garlands for the Christmas tree.
This is a good book to start with. The projects are simple, using basic stitches. The introduction explains the tools, has well photographed instructions for the basic stitches, and an explanation of some of the beading techniques used. So if you are an absolute beginner at either beading or crochet, you can get the information you need to start the projects.
The projects use a few mediums. Some are yarn or fiber only to create jewelry pieces. Then there are a bunch that are beaded. The author uses beads with thread or wire.
My favorite projects are the fiber with beads projects, like the sweet Pretty In Pink choker which combines perle cotton, rocaille beads and satin ribbon into a quick to stitch choker that would look lovely made to match a prom dress. The Bang Bangles would make great very quick gifts for girls and women on your holiday gift giving list. You can frequently find inexpensive wire bangles on clearance at various mall shops. This is a fun use for them. The Bead and Wire Amulet is worked in the round using wire and beads to make a large circular pendant that's absolutely wearable as a bold and lightweight piece of jewelry. The finger crocheted bracelet is a great project to do with children, and longer strands could also be used as garlands on Christmas trees.
You can get this book from Taunton Press or by clicking the Amazon link below. (affiliate link)


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