GetCrafty Craft Facts

Q: I am very new at beading, and I started to do what I guess you would call a "Victorian Weave." I had a long thread to start out with, and didn't know if I would like the look, but I really do, and now I am going to run out of my length of thread. What I need to know is, is it kosher to tie another thread to it so I can continue? It's really a lot of work, and I really like it, so I would like to continue on. Do I knot it, then glue it, or just start over? Also, how do you keep your thread from curling?

A: I am also new to beading, and am about in the middle of a small bracelet. When my thread was no longer long enough to make one more length, I tied it at the end. I figured if all the knots are at the ends, they won't show as much. I have all the supplies to knit a beaded purse (I don't know if what I'll be doing is beaded knitting or knitting with beads - I understand there is some difference?). Anyway, I intend to string a whole ball of the thread with the beads before I start knitting... this way I won't have to join threads so often. Is this advisable, or should I simply plan on joining threads every few rows of knitting? I'm assuming that I should join the threads at the ends of the rows? I don't generally tie the threads together if there is room inside the beads to weave a new length of thread through several repetitions of the existing bead pattern. If I can make the new thread go 'round several corners, I'll use about 2" to anchor it, before adding new beads. I do tie threads together in loom beading. I run the new thread through 2 rows of beads and then tie the new thread to an outside warp thread before picking up a new row of beads. What did I do with the old thread? While I still had some usable length left, I tied it to an outside warp thread, and loomed two more rows. After the new thread is joined and 2 more rows are added, I cut the end of the old thread even with the edge of the piece. This way, both threads are anchored and the ends hidden as I go. I very much dislike waiting until the piece is finished to go back and hide (weave in) the loose ends. I will sometimes put a dot of clear nail polish or watch glass adhesive on each knot. That's on my "belt and suspenders" days. You say you have all of the supplies to knit a beaded purse. I'm wondering if you also have the book of directions. Anyway, you need to string all of the beads you will need for the entire purse before you start. I sell the book, if you need it. I have made a few hundred knitted beaded purses. You are right about there being a difference in knitted beaded purses, and bead-knitted purses. Bead-knitted will have a single bead incorporated in EVERY stitch, usually to form a pattern not unlike a loomed pattern. Knitted beaded usually shows some of the knitting in areas, and is beaded on both sides which is not the case in the Bead-knitted which only has beading on one side. You will need to slide the beads down the yarn as you work. This, of course, is very time consuming at the beginning, but less work as you approach the end. If you're using the pattern I'm familiar with, you will use approximately 7 strands from a hank for a purse without a flap and approx. 9 strands for one with a full beaded flap.