Crochet For Summer Fun

Crochet for Summer Fun Many Creativity readers have written to me to share comments about previous issues of this e-letter (I appreciate it so much!). One thing I've heard again and again is how much they like to crochet, so here's a pattern for beaded edging. These flip-flops look like they'd be fun to make and wear. I don't know about you, but I have summer on the brain lately. This beaded edging would also be a great embellishment for a purse or a shrug. Beaded Chain Lace Edging Size About 1/2 inch x desired length Materials • • • • • •

Aunt Lydia's Classic Crochet size 10 crochet cotton (350 yds per ball): 1 ball #422 golden yellow Size 9/1.25mm steel crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge Tapestry needle Multicolored opaque E-beads Purchased flip-flops (optional) Tacky craft glue (optional)

Gauge 1 pattern rep = 1/2 inch General Directions Beading crocheted trims is not so very different than other thread crochet. The main difference is that beads are strung onto your thread before you begin and then moved into place as stitches are formed. There are two main classes of stitches: beaded stitches and reversed beaded stitches. With beaded stitches, the beads naturally pop up on the wrong side of your work. With reverse beaded stitches, the beads come up on the right side. A beaded stitch is worked exactly like its non-beaded counterpart except that you pull a bead up close to your hook at the appropriate moment and incorporate it into the stitch. Since the bead will come up on the wrong side of your work, you will use this stitch when the non-beaded side of your work is facing you. A reverse beaded single crochet stitch, on the other hand, involves a slightly more awkward twist of the wrist as you insert your hook from back to front. Since the bead will come up on the side of your work facing you, this stitch is worked on right-side rows. In the case of longer beaded reverse stitches (such as the beaded double crochet and beaded triple crochet), you rotate your entire piece after making the stitch to twist the whole stitch around, thereby forcing the bead to show its face on the right side of your work. Beaded Stitches

Beaded stitches are worked when the non-beaded side of your work is facing you. Beaded Chain Stitch (bch) Slide 1 bead up the crochet cotton close to hook, yo on the far side of the bead (see Photo A), draw crochet cotton through lp on hook.

Beaded Single Crochet (bsc) Slide 1 bead up the crochet cotton close to hook, insert hook in st indicated, yo on the far side of the bead (see Photo B), draw crochet cotton through st, yo and draw through 2 lps on hook.

Instructions Note: String 4 beads for every pattern rep.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, sc in 2nd and 3rd chs from hook, turn. Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc, turn. Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, in next sc work [ bsc (see General Directions), 3 bch (see General Directions), 2 dc], turn. Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 dc, turn. Rep rows 3 and 4 for desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing For attaching to flip-flops, apply glue to straps 1-2 inches at a time and press back side of trim firmly to strap. Let each section dry for a few minutes to secure before continuing on. Copyright © 2006. Beaded Edgings to Crochet. All rights reserved.