How to Make Crochet Yarn Beads

Incorporating crocheted beads into a jewelry project is a great way to add texture and creativity to your design. Crocheted yarn beads make up quickly, and the benefit of using 100-percent wool for the bead is that it felts to a smooth surface that is perfect for beading. As an added bonus, if you miss a stitch while crocheting the bead, there's no need to panic. Felting hides all mistakes!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 100-percent-wool yarn labeled good for felting
• Size F crochet hook (3.75mm)
• Yarn needle
• Face cloth
• Laundry detergent
• Dishwashing gloves

1. Review basic crochet stitches if you are new to the craft. The stitches needed for this project are chain stitch (ch), single crochet stitch (sc) and slip stitch (sl).

2. 
   6 sc in the chain stitch

   Ch 2, then make 6 sc in the first ch stitch. Do not join rounds.

3. 
   12 sc in the round

   Make 2 sc in each of the next 6 stitches (12 sc total). Do not join rounds.

4. 
   Decrease round back to 6 sc

   Sc the next two stitches together six times (6 sc total).

5. 
   Beads with tails to weave in

   Sl in the next stitch to join, then ch 1 and fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing.

6. 
   Raw beads ready to be felted

   Use the yarn needle to weave in the short tail from the starting chain, then use the long tail from the last row to weave through the 6 stitches on the last row and pull it closed to form a ball. Weave in this last tail as well so you have a little crocheted ball.

7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for as many beads as you want to make.

8. 
   Face cloth and beads in hot water

   Fill a sink with hot water and place all the crocheted beads in it with a face cloth and a small amount of laundry detergent. Some wool dye may leach into the water, so you may want to use a face cloth close to the same color as the yarn.

9. Put on the gloves and use your hands to agitate the beads and the face cloth in the hot water. Then let them sit for about 20 to 30 minutes, checking periodically that the water remains hot.

10. Put on the gloves again and rub the beads briskly with the face cloth in very hot water until you see them felt and become smooth. This may take several minutes. The balls will also shrink a little in this process.

11. 
    Felted beads drying

    Remove the beads from the water. Gently squeeze them, then roll them in a dry towel to remove excess water. Reshape them with your fingers if necessary and lay them out on a towel to dry. When they are completely dry, they are ready for stringing. A beading needle will glide easily through the felt.

References

• Vogue Knitting: Felting, Trisha Malcolm, Sixth & Spring Books, pg. 13, 2005.

Resources

• Crochet Basics
• Crochet Stitch Directory
• Felting Basics