Beaded knitting creates such a stunning effect that it really is worth the extra time spent threading the beads onto the yarn. For this bag, all you do is work in reverse stockinette stitch, sliding a bead up to hang between each stitch on the purl rows, where they will show up more than they would on knit rows. Instead of dealing with each bead separately, get into the habit of bringing several beads up on the yarn tensioned over the fingers, so you can flick one up close to the work when needed.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
The pouch took about 3 hours to knit, plus 1 hour to thread the beads: 4 hours total.
ABOUT THIS YARN
Rowan Lurex Shimmer is an 80% viscose, 20% polyester yarn with approximately 104 yds. (95 m) to a 25 g (approx. 1 oz.) ball. It’s a fine yarn, so 1 ball goes a long way.
SIZE
Width: 2½ in. (6.5 cm); length: 4¾ in. (12 cm).
YOU WILL NEED
• 1 x 25 g ball (approx. 1 oz.) of Rowan Lurex Shimmer in Pewter, shade 333
• 725 small glass beads with diameter large enough to thread yarn
• pair of size US 2 (3 mm) knitting needles
• 2 larger glass beads, tapestry needle, and sharp sewing needle
GAUGE
21 sts and 40 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over beaded rev st-st. Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
B1 = bring 1 bead up close to work; cont = continue; k = knit; p = purl; rev st-st = reverse stockinette st; RS = right side; st(s) = stitch(es); tog = together; WS = wrong side; [ ] = work instructions in square brackets as directed.
NOTE
• Thread all beads onto yarn before starting to knit.
POUCH
Cast on 31 sts.
Row 1 (RS) [P1, B1] to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 2 K.
These 2 rows form beaded rev st-st. Work 47 more rows, so ending with a beaded row.
Drawstring channel. Cont in yarn without beads.
Next row (WS) P.
K 1 row. P 3 rows. K 1 row.
Next row (WS) P each st tog with corresponding st 6 rows down, at the same time, binding off each time there are 2 sts on right needle. Fasten off last st.
TO FINISH
Join side seam and cast-on edge. Use 4 x 48-in. (122-cm) lengths of yarn folded in half and twisted to make a cord (see page 155). Knot free ends and trim to make a small tassel, then thread on a large bead. Thread cord through drawstring channel. Thread other large bead, knot and trim to match first end.
TIPS
• You can use any small glass beads for the pouch; just make sure that the hole in the beads is big enough so you can thread them onto the yarn.
• Here’s the easiest way to thread the beads onto the yarn. First tip the beads into a shallow dish, so they don’t spill all over the place. Thread a slim, sharp needle with a short length of sewing thread, knot the ends to make a loop, and slide the knot up to one side. Pass the end of the yarn through the loop, pick up the beads with the tip of the needle, and slide them down over the loop and onto the yarn.
• Tie the cord of the pouch to your bag handle or your belt to keep your cell phone handy.
• If you want to keep your cell phone extra safe, you could line the pouch with soft material.
• Phones are getting smaller all the time. If you want to reduce the size of the pouch, measure around your phone, allowing for a little bit extra so the pouch is not too tight, and cast on 4 sts fewer for each ¾ in. (2 cm) smaller. For a shorter pouch, simply work fewer rows. Don’t forget that you’ll need fewer beads, too.
• You can also use the pouch to store jewelry or your watch.
Keep your cell phone in this pretty drawstring pouch and you’ll always know where it is.
