Customer Reviews

Knit One, Bead Too: Essential Techniques for Knitting with Beads

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the book I have been looking for. It teaches several different techniques of using beads in knitting. The illustrations are great as are the explanations of the techniques. She offers patterns for each of the techniques. This book is spiral bound so stays open easily. I have several other books on knitting with beads, but this is, by far, the best.

I grew up in a household where my mother was always knitting, crocheting, braiding or sewing. Rugs, quilts, Afghans, doilies, and sweaters seemed to pile up only to be distributed to family or sold. I was a part of some of this, at one time I knew how to knit, crochet and I can still sew things up and braid rope out of strands of twine.
Incorporating beads into knitted work certainly makes things dazzle and it appears that it is hard to add this form of glitter to a project. That is not the case, as Durant clearly demonstrates using instructions that even I could follow, if you have a basic understanding of the knitting process, then you can include beads in your work. After explaining the terminology, sequences and how to read the charts, Durant presents a photo of a project and then gives a detailed description of how it is done. Most of the projects are very complex, which requires different knitting techniques to be used at different points in the creation.
If you have some talent at knitting and really want to demonstrate how good you are, read this book and create some of the projects. From caps to socks, you will impress everyone that sees your results. If you do this, be prepared to field the question, "That is beautiful, where did you buy it?" many times.

I would give this book more stars if I could. Why do I like this book so much?

It is well written, well edited, and well illustrated.
The author has a BFA and it shows in the lovely designs. I can see making every one of them. And the alternate design colors suggested are lovely.

The author knows how to write an instructional book that is easy to use, entertaining, and tempting. Starting from a pictorial overview of the five established techniques for incorporating beads into your knitting, to the last project where you can try out every one of them on one small beaded bag, everything is there to make you learn and internalize the crafts of bead and beaded knitting. Yes there is a difference. Also the essential trick about using Eastern knitting to prevent bead knitting from warping is clearly illustrated in photos.

The best part is how the beads are an integral part of the designs from the choice of color and placement of the beads inside cables, or other appropriate knitting stitches to how they add beauty to the garments and accessories. They are not added on for the ride. The lovely scarf is designed to be knit from the center out for symmetry, but with a smart provisional cast on so you do not need to fuss with weaving the two halves and possibly ruining the scarf on the last step. I love how thoughtful all the designs are in preventing problems before you get there.


As a final bonus, the book is hardcover but also ring bound so it lies perfectly flat as you follow the row by row instructions when you need to. It is small so you can take it with you in a bag. And she tells you how to store the strung yarn so you do not get those devilish slip knots in your work.

If you want to buy one knitting book for learning how to use beads and yarn, make it this one. You won't need another beaded knitting book. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

I just picked up this book on a whim and am so glad I did! I found the directions to be very clear, concise and easy to read. The accompanying pictures show great detail as well as alternate ideas with different colors of yarns and beads that will give your project a whole different look. I especially like that it shows many different techniques to add beads to your project, because I feel confident that I can add beads to almost anything I knit regardless of the type of yarn and beads I choose. I am looking forward to creating many unique items with the added sparkle of beads. Thanks Judith!

I'm a life long knitter and only recently began to incorporate beading in my knitting. I have found most knitting books woefully inadequate in their descriptions of how to use beads. I spent many frustrating hours trying to teach myself how to knit and crochet with beads.

Thsi book is the answer to my needs. it very clearly outlines the how-tos of knitting with bead and shows techniques that take the mystery out of "small bead/big yarn" dilemmas. The patterns are lovely and timeless. I can't tell you how many times I've had "aha!" moments with this book. If you want to knit with beads/paillettes in any way,this is the book for you!

I agree with every one of the 5-star reviews. This book is a model of clarity and explication. I have about 5 books on techniques of adding beads to knits, and this one summarizes all of them in a compact, lay-flat binding. As far as I can tell, every detail relating to writing, illustrating, and book construction for ease-of-use had been considered.

This book contains the clearest explanations for knitting with beads I have ever seen. It has step-by-step pictures for several methods of beaded knitting as well as a variety of other methods of knitting with beads (pre-stringing, hooked beads, etc). It also includes those priceless tips and tricks for making your knitting look perfect.

The patterns in this book are decent--some more to my taste than others but that is purely personal. Each of the patterns also includes notes on an alternative design (different beads, different yarn, etc) to give you ideas on how to modify each pattern.

The sizing is excellent with sizes for the (few) sweaters extending well into both the small and large sizes.

I don't knit with beads often but that was mostly due to frustration--now that I have read this book, I'm reading to give it another go!

This book is amazing. Durant takes you through all the different ways of using beads with knitting (I didn't realize there were so many options! and each gives a different look!). There are tons of neat patterns and lots of inspiring pictures and clear instructions. I've got a whole slew of things I want to make now!

I took this book out of the library before ordering so I knew what I was getting. It's a very good book,easy to follow! I haven't used it yet but look forward to! Happy with this purchase!

I really do like this book. It was sent very timely. Thank you for your quick response. Now I am ordering the other two books!!!