Well, the weekend was better.  I managed to get over myself enough to start a couple of projects and to actually finish one of them.  Actually, it only took a couple of hours to do, so finishing isn’t really any kind of coup.  Then again, given my track record, I’ll take it :)

And while we’re here you know, just entre-nous, thank GAWD for crochet hooks.  Everything I worked on this weekend dropped stitches like panties after the prom!  Not too big a deal, I guess, as long as you catch them, but one little fink dropped down about a dozen rows in the time it took me to blink.  I took my hook to him and put him right back where he belonged - no escapees!

In a former creative life, I was a beader and I’ve been thinking about beaded knitting for a while now.  Yesterday, things finally acquired critical mass.  So, while Myria plumbed the depths of Morrowind, I worked out this little gem.  It’s easy as falling off a log and only takes a couple of hours to do.  And I think it’s really cute!

Little Beaded Bag

Materials

Fingering weight yarn
One pair US 4 needles
50 size 6 (or “E”) beads (Michael’s or Wal-Mart for the cheapies, your favorite bead shop for better quality)

Measurements

Finished bag measures about 4.25” x 2.5”.

The first thing you have to do is string the beads on your yarn.  What I did, because I used synthetic yarn, is hold a length over (not in) a candle flame.  When it starts to soften and melt, pull it apart gently.  This creates a nice, stiff, narrow end that you can then thread the beads onto easily.  When all your beads are threaded, snip the melted end off the yarn and you’re good to go.

You’ll have to keep sliding the beads back as you work so they don’t interfere when you’re not actually placing them.

Ready?

Note: SB = Slip bead.  Yarn forward (as if to purl) and slip the next stitch purlwise.  Move a bead up to the surface of your work.  You want this to be snug.  Then bring the yarn back between the needles, leaving the bead on the surface of the fabric covering the slipped stitch.

Cast on 19 stitches.

Do 4 rows of stockinette, ending ready for a right side row.

Next row:  K1, [K2tog, YO] 8 times, end K2
Next row:  Purl

Do 6 rows of stockinette, ending ready for a right side row.

Bead Diamond

1.  K9, SB, K9
2.  Purl
3.  K8, SB, K1, SB, K8
4.  Purl
5.  K7, [SB, K1] 2 times, SB, K7
6.  Purl
7.  K6, [SB, K1] 3 times, SB, K6
8.  Purl
9.  K5, [SB, K1] 4 times, SB, K5
10.  Purl
11.  K6, [SB, K1] 3 times, SB, K6
12.  Purl
13.  K7, [SB, K1] 2 times, SB, K7
14.  Purl
15.  K8, SB, K1, SB, K8
16.  Purl
17.  K9, SB, K9
18.  Purl

Work 4 rows of stockinette, ending ready to do a right-side row.

One side of the bag is completed.

*Purl the next two rows.

Now just reverse through the directions for the second side of the bag.  Bind off, sew up the sides and tuck in the ends.

*This is a matter of taste.  The purled rows make a nice little “fold” line on the inside of the bag but you can just as easily substitute a couple of rows of stockinete if you prefer.

You are free to use this pattern, copy it, distribute it, even claim it as your own. You may not change the pattern, or sell either the pattern or the bag.

Look Ma!  Both sides!

I just used yarn for the ties because it was all I had at hand and because I was too tired to do anything else at that point :)  But you could do an I-cord thing, or crochet a tie.  Ribbon would be pretty too.

Now, fill it with anything you like.  Place a few candies (or one big one) in it and give it to a friend.  Put in your personal good-luck charm and tuck it in your purse or pocket.  Use it to hold your subway tokens.

You can vary this any way you like.  I used synthetic yarn and cheap beads because it’s what I had handy but nice yarn and good beads could create a really spectacular little piece.  Post pictures - I’d love to see what all your fertile imaginations can come up with!

Hope your Mondays aren’t too tough :)