How to Knit Some Pearl String on a Bolero
Knitted boleros are wonderful transitional pieces for your wardrobe that dress up a simple outfit. Adding pearls to a bolero makes it pretty enough to wear to a wedding or other formal occasion. You can buy strings of pearls at craft or bead stores and then incorporate them into the bolero as you knit. Once you have learned how to add beads to knitted pieces, you can use this technique with other sweaters, bags, knitted jewelry and more.
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Instructions
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String the beads on your yarn. If your pearl beads have large holes, sometimes you can just slide them right onto the yarn. Most of the time, however, you'll need the help of a beading needle to get the beads onto the yarn. Beading needles are inexpensive and available at most craft and bead stores. Poke the yarn through the loop at the beading needle, and slide the beads over the straight part of the needle and onto the yarn. Continue adding pearl beads until you have 4 to 5 inches of pearls on your yarn.
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Begin knitting the bolero according to your pattern. Just let the beads slide down your yarn until you are ready to use them. If the beads get too close to your knitting needles, gently slide them away from you. Be especially gentle if your yarn is fragile, such as silk or angora, as the sliding motion of the beads can weaken the fibers.
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Knit or purl one stitch, and then immediately slide a pearl over to your right needle after the last worked stitch. Knit or purl your next stitch, holding the pearl in place so it doesn't slide over into the next stitch. The pearl will be secured between two stitches. If the pearl slides to the back of the knitted surface, poke it through to the front, and pull your stitches a little tighter.
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Plan the pattern for your pearls. For an organized approach, insert a pearl every so often at designated intervals. For example, add a pearl every 20 stitches in one row and then every 10 stitches in the next row. For a random effect, which requires less counting and concentration, insert pearls whenever you think of it.
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Cut your yarn and thread a new batch of pearls when you run out of the first batch. Again, use your bead threader to string on another 4 or 5 inches of beads. You'll have to weave in the ends of the cut threads when you have finished with the bolero, but the pearl effect is well worth this extra effort.
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Tips & Warnings
Thread your pearls on the yarn in the opposite order you want them to appear on the bolero.
References
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