Crocheting With Beads

Looking for a super simple, yet elegant gift to give this Christmas season? Allow me to recommend the Understated Necklace by Sharon Hanson. I found this pattern on Ravelry and was able to create it while watching one episode of Project Runway. The most time consuming part of the whole project was either picking out which beads I wanted to use or chasing the runaway beads around the floor.

Like most patterns I run across, I ended up altering it slightly. Instead of creating a loop for a button hole I opted for a toggle closure and I switched the beads up to be all the same size in a 3 - 2 - 3 pattern. I also wanted a little more space between the beads so I chained eight in between each set of beads.

This is an excellent beginner piece for those learning to crochet with beads and every time I have worn the bracelet out it gets noticed.

Sharon Hanson is the owner/designer of Knot-Cha-Cha in Portland, Oregon and kindly offers this tutorial free of charge.  Find the pattern here!

The necklace version - please ignore the coffee stain!