How to Crochet a Beaded Bookmark

Crochet stitches and beads complement each other in this whimsical craft.

Crochet stitches create a delicate, open weave that looks beautiful in shawls and blankets. These elegant stitches can also be employed to make a unique bookmark, using yarn and some decorative beads, that is perfect for the holiday season. To create this craft you will need to know how to complete a chain and a single crochet stitch. In less than an hour you will have a new way to hold your place in all your reading material.

Things You'll Need

• 1 skein acrylic yarn
• 18 decorative beads large enough to fit on the yarn
• Size G crochet hook
• Scissors

Instructions

1. String 15 beads onto the tip of the skein of yarn. Push all of the beads about 2 feet down on the skein of yarn to create a long tail with which to begin the crochet project.

2. Chain three with the skein of yarn, keeping the beads threaded about 3 feet down from where you are working. Push up the top bead to sit behind the third chain you created. Chain four more stitches to enclose the first bead into the weave of the bookmark.

3. Single crochet into the second chain from the hook. Single crochet in the remaining five chains to create the second row. You should have six stitches on each row. Chain one, turn your work, single crochet along all six stitches. Chain one and turn your work.

4. Single crochet into the first three stitches. Pull up the next bead on your skein of yarn. Single crochet into the last three stitches. Chain one and turn. Single crochet across the row. Chain one and turn your work. Single crochet into the first three stitches. Pull up the next bead on the skein to sit beside the last single crochet. Single crochet into the last three stitches in the row.

5. Repeat the previous step until all 15 beads have been incorporated into the weave of the bookmark. Slip stitch along the first three stitches in the last row of single crochet. Start from the end stitch and slip stitch towards the center of the row. Chain 10 to create a tail at the end of the bookmark. Cut off the excess yarn leaving a foot of extra yarn at the end. Tie a slip knot at the end of the chain. String on the remaining three decorative beads. Tie a double knot underneath these beads to secure them in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase rather flat, small beads so that they fit snugly in between the pages of a book or magazine.