Diagram 1

First knit a sample about 60 nds x 60 rows leaving needle 15 right of centre out of work ( knit about 4 rows before putting ndl 15 out of work ), press sample. With wrong side of sample facing place a finger behind the ladder and you will see how easy it is to see through.

Sample 1

Now take a length of pearl (cut slightly longer than required ) and place on right side of sample in line with the ladder, you can pin this in place if you prefer, I just held it in place with my left hand as I was working from left to right.

Working on the wrong side, pull two of the pearls through at the beginning of the ladder and secure. Pass the tapestry needle down through the ladder between the next 2 pearls and back up again pulling thread through, miss 2 threads of the ladder and pass needle between next 2 pearls etc, it’s as easy as that. Examine first row of pearls on sample No.1 and you can see there is a thread between each pearl. For the second row I simply worked from the right side and kept one row of stitches as my guide, because they are on top of the knitting and not following a ladder as a guide they stand out more.

Sample 2

For sample No.2 first row, I used the same method but stitched with a gold thread used double to achieve this lovely effect. For the second row I just added the finer beads each side stitching on with fine lilac thread. It’s so simple to do but the effect looks very professional.

Now that you can see how simple this  is why not try something more ambitious like sample No.3.

Sample 3

Using paper or thin card (a cereal box is ideal) cut out a shape of your choice, diamond, circle, heart or as I did a simple paisley shape. Lay this on your sample right side up and draw around the outline with tailors chalk or similar marker.

Now using the same method as before sew pearls on following the outline, adding extra rows as you see fit. These pearls and beads are available in many colours and various thicknesses, there is no limit to what you can achieve. I would recommend if you are going to decorate a garment, doing it before you make it up. Don’t forget if you are doing this on a neckline, the pearls have no give. Just imagine doing a lovely job and then finding you could not get your head through !!!

Hopefully samples No.4 & 5 will give you the same feeling of excitement as it gave me when I discovered the technique.

Diagram 2

First look at diagram No.2 and see how easy the procedure is. Take a length of pearls, braid or even fine chain and simply thread up through the cable using one of the methods in the diagram, secure at both ends and the job is done.

Sample 5

Sample 4

It’s the simplicity of achieving such a stunning result that excited me so much. Also don’t forget you can do this on a bought garment, this of course means that manufacturers will quickly cotton on, so don’t forget you saw it here first. The other beauty of it is that when you tire of the look simply undo both ends and pull it out.

Really hope this and the previous article will spur you on to experiment. Its great fun to do and so rewarding. See pattern Sea Spray which was designed specifically for this technique.

Carl

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