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Going Viral with Beads!
The “Virus” shawl is one of the hottest patterns out there at the moment.
So simple and quick to make up.
You can use any weight of yarn from light and lacy to super thick and chunky.
I chose to use this amazing yarn from wolltraum.com
“My Melody is a hand wound yarn made with love.
The gradients are done by tying little strands of colours together and the little knots can be worked in with no problem.
The yarn is multiple wound, that means the single strands are lying next to each other.
You can use whatever hook size you prefer whether you want your project to be looser or tighter.
The composition of the yarn is 50% cotton and 50% acryl “
I chose the colour “Eiszeit” which is a beautiful gradient from soft white, through silver to a clear sky blue.
Perfect for wearing with jeans and a t-shirt in the summer.
I used the 4-ply version, 7oz/200g which costs $21.70 plus shipping, and a 4mm clover armour hook.
Because the yarn is not twisted I found I needed to work with VERY relaxed hands and mega light tension.
The pattern for the “Virus Shawl” was originally done as a chart, but there are now written versions and also these amazing videos by Woolpedia
Once you have the 4 row repeat you just keep repeating and go as large or small as you want.
To finish the shawl you can use what ever type of border you like.
I have seen many with picot edging or scalloped edgings.
But I chose to keep mine really simple and add some very light beads to the final round.
I have always threaded beads on to my yarn and worked them in where needed….. UNTIL NOW!!
This is the most amazing technique taught to me by my friend Kay Crone.
This is Kay’s own technique and it is with her permission that I have done this little tutorial for you.
First you need to set up your beading thread.
Take a normal sewing needle, thread it and attach a bead to the bottom.
You will want your thread to only be about 6 to 8 inches/15 to 20 cm, any longer and you will have problems with tangling!
I found it best to work with only a few beads on my threader at a time.
When you want to add a bead…..
Pull the loop of the completed stitch up slightly, and remove your hook.
1. Take your beading thread and insert the needle through the loop.
2. Reverse your needle and insert it back through the bead.
3. Pull gently on both strands of your threader.
4. Slide the bead down onto your stitch loop.
5. Insert your needle back through the stitch loop.
6. Insert your hook back into the stitch loop and complete your next stitch.
It really is that simple, and doing it this way the bead will always sit right on top of your stitches and will be very secure.
♥ All of my tutorials are free and are written or recorded using US terminology.
♥ If you need help and advice, the quickest way to find support is to join Helen’s Hookaholics Facebook group. There you will find a very supportive group of likeminded people. It’s also a great place to share your crystalsandcrochet makes, and see what others are making, and see what I am up to.
♥ If you are not a fan of Facebook you can always email me with any questions you may have by using the contact form here.