Earn Your Stripes: Intro to Single Crochet With Beads

Example of how to incorporate a bead crochet tube into a necklace

I was obsessed with exploring stripe patterns for my upcoming bead crochet class.  Now that I have some samples finished, here is the information:


EARN YOUR STRIPES: INTRODUCTION TO TUBULAR SINGLE CROCHET WITH BEADS

Date:  Saturday, April 16, 2014
Time:  10am-4pm
Location:  Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, New York

Here is your chance to learn single crochet with beads, the bead crochet technique used in my snake jewelry and the multi-patterned necklaces by talented German designers like Brigitte Ilander. 

I know that bead crochet seems challenging so I have made this class as easy as possible. Both projects will use size 8 seed beads and stripe patterns that allow you to tell where you need to crochet the next bead. You will also use white or light-colored thread.

First, we will start with a larger than usual tube so that you can see what you are doing and understand the construction of the crochet . You will turn this larger tube into a cute mini purse that can be used as a decoration or key chain.

Bead crochet mini purses

 

After that, you will move on to a more traditional-sized tube that can be turned into a bracelet or necklace. Although we will be sticking with easy to follow stripe patterns, there is no reason why the result has to be boring so we will discuss options for turning your bead crochet tube into an interesting piece of jewelry.

Another example of how to incorporate your bead crochet tube into a necklace

Previous crochet experience is required; we will be using the chain stitch and single crochet (double crochet in Europe) stitch.  You don't need to be an expert, but you don't want to be learning crochet and adding beads at the same time.

Bead crochet tubes with stone and glass beads on memory wire

To register for the class visit Workshops.

OCTOBER 2013 CLASSES

Wow, October is almost here.  That means that I will be teaching 3 beadwork classes at The Innovative Beads Expo in Edison, NJ on October 12 and 13.

  First is a wire crochet class on Saturday, October 12 from 10:30am-1:30pm :

Wire Crochet class projects

Learn to crochet with wire by making this fun flower and the charming birds nest earrings. Students will learn which sizes of wire are best for crochet, tricks for working with wire, the chain stitch, single crochet, how to add beads to your work, and how to crochet flat shapes and in the
round. Crochet experience helpful but not necessary.

Class Fee: $60. Pre-register before 5pm on October 9 and save $10
Kit fee: $30
Kit includes: practice wire, 28 gauge colored wire, 24 gauge colored wire, seed beads, Swarovski pearls, long Magatama beads, ear wires, 2 crochet hooks

Students to bring: scissors, bead mat, diagonal wire cutters, nylon-jaw pliers, chain-nose or round-nose pliers (optional), task light (optional).
TO REGISTER FOR CLASS

Second, also on Saturday, is a Russian Spiral class from 2-4:45pm:

Russian Around

More color choices for Russian Around

With just thread and needle, you can make these striking earrings or pendants. Using a variation of the Russian spiral stitch, students will make a tube of bugle beads and seed beads. Then we will join the tube into a circle and embellish it with sparkly Swarovski crystals and more seed beads. Add a seed bead loop on top for an ear wire or neck cord and you are ready to wear your new creation.

Class Fee: $60.00 Pre-register and save $10.
Kit fee: $25
Kit contains: bugle beads, 11/0 seed beads, Swarovski crystals, ear wires, thread, and beading needles.

Students to bring: scissors, bead mat, task light (optional), magnifiers
(optional) if you have trouble working with small beads.
TO REGISTER FOR CLASS

On Sunday, October 13, I will teach the Turkish Delight bead crochet class from 11:30am-1:30pm

Turkish Delight bead crochet bracelet

Using a bead crochet stitch that I learned in Turkey, this sparkly bracelet is for beaders who wants to go beyond the standard tubular bead crochet and work with loops of beads. Students will learn how to string beads in a pattern and crochet the Turkish Loops stitch in the round. Once the bead crochet is done, students will make a button and loop closure and embellish the loop with peyote stitch or needle-woven flowers and leaves. Bead crochet experience is helpful.

Class Fee: $60. Pre-register before 5:00pm on October 9 and save $10.
Kit fee: $35
Kit Includes: over 150 4mm, Czech, fire-polished beads, 11° Japanese seed beads, assorted beads for closure loop, 2 bead caps, 1 button, 1 spool braided nylon cord, Fireline, steel crochet hook, and beading needles.

Students to bring: scissors, bead mat, task light (optional), magnifiers
(optional) if you have trouble working with small beads.
TO REGISTER FOR CLASS


If you have any questions you can contact Innovative Bead Expo or email me.  See you at the bead show!




 

STORMS GONE AND BEAD CLASSES COMING

No, the hurricane did not blow me away; I have either been traveling in Europe or too busy to post. We had a great time in England and Italy and I will be putting up some photos later.   I have just been so busy teaching classes in England, preparing for the storm, preparing for the nor'easter after that, and now preparing for my bead crochet classes at the Innovative Beads Expo in Edinson, NJ on Novemeber 17 and 18, 2012.  We survived the storms with some very minor damage, although it was touch and go whether we would lose our power Monday night.

 

  Right now, my heart goes out to all of you who are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  For those who are fortunate to be able to think about more cheerful activities, here are the two  bead crochet classes that I will be teaching very shortly:




Bead Crochet: the Beginning

When: November 17, 2012 from 2:00-4:45 pm
Where: Innovative Beads Expo, New Jersey Convention and Exposition    Center
Cost: $60 class instruction, $25 kit  Register before 5:00 pm  on Wednesday, November 14 and save $10.

Start from the very beginning of bead crochet and learn to crochet beads with a chain stitch to make this sparkly necklace that combines size 6 seed beads, 6mm beads, imitation pearls, vintage Czech farfalle beads, and nylon cord. Students will learn how to string beads in a pattern, the basic slip knot and chain stitch, crochet with beads, braid strands together, attach a clasp, and make dangles. . No crochet experience needed.

Class Fee: $60.00. Pre-register and save $10.00.
Kit fee: $25.00
Kit includes: nylon cord, size 6 seed beads, magatama drops, 6mm stardust beads, imitation pearls, vintage Czech farfalle beads, bead caps, clasp, jump rings, crochet hook, needles, and safety pin.

Students to bring bead mat, scissors, chain-nose pliers, and task lamp (optional).


Tubular Bead Crochet

Tubular Bead Crochet: the Basics

When:  November 18, from 11:30-  2:00 pm

Where: Innovative Beads Expo, New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Cost: $60 class instruction, $25 kit Register before 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 14 and save $10.

Learn bead crochet with the slip stitch method, the one most commonly used to make the popular bead crochet ropes. Students will first make a practice tube with size 6 beads and size 10 thread.  They will then move on to a 3.5 inch tube of size 8 beads that can be strung as a straight tube or turned into a teardrop-shaped pendant.  Students will learn how to string beads in a pattern, bead crochet in the round, add a new thread, finish a piece with bead caps, and how to combine the bead crochet tube with wire and crystals to create a fun focal piece. Students must know how to make a slip knot and chain stitch before class.

Class Fee: $60.00. Pre-register before 5:00 pm November 14 and save $10.00.
Kit fee: $25.00
Kit includes: Size 8 Japanese seed beads, size 8 Japanese hex or triangle beads, nylon crochet thread, bead caps, Thunder Polish crystals, assorted accent beads and metal charms, 20 or 22 gauge wire, ribbon or cord, crochet hook, beading needles, and safety pin.

Students to bring: scissors, bead mat, task light (optional); also round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, diagonal wire cutters, and nylon-jaw pliers if you wish to make the tear-shaped pendant.

For registration, please visit Innovative Beads Expo.  Hope to see you there.