A don’t mind admitting that I am partial to a bit of bling. I can’t deny it, I do rather like a chandelier. I believe that a gin and tonic always looks more glamorous in a cut glass tumbler.
Around Christmas time you might find me out and about and a huge pair of crystal earings. But you have to be a bit careful that you don’t over-do that look. In my design work I very rarely incorporate beads or sequins. I don’t often feel the need, or that it suits my style. However when my friends at Black Sheep Wools asked me to road test the Swarovski beads and designs developed by Rowan, I said ‘Yes, but can I make something that I would want to wear?’
I chose to make the Star Mittens, which combine two balls of Rowan Finest yarn and Swarovski aquamarine beads. I wasn’t at all convinced that these beads used with yarn would be that beautiful. But out of their packet these beads are really, I mean REALLY sparkly. The beautiful aquamarine gems seem so precious that while I was threading them onto the yarn I found a little dish to contain them. I didn’t want to lose even one.
Each mitten uses 33 beads and you thread them on to the yarn before you knit the pattern. When you look at the yarn it is difficult to believe that you can thread these beads onto the thickness of the fibre. However when you do use beads in knitting or crochet you can use the cool little trick of pulling the thick yarn through the tiny holes in the beads using a fine needle and a little bit of cotton thread.
Basically you find a fine needle which will go through the bead. Thread it with a little bit of cotton thread. Tie a knot in the thread to create a loop. Then thread the yarn through this loop. Put your beads onto your needle and pull down over the needle, onto the cotton and then ease onto the yarn. Surprisingly it will work. Yarn magic!
I finished both mittens this week and Little B picked them up from the kitchen table and proclaimed – ‘These are like grown-up ‘Frozen’ power mittens. Cool.’ For a boy who is not a big fan of that Disney classic, that is quite compliment. Certainly, the Swarovski crystal makes all the difference. I would consider investing in these beads if you are making something very special for a wedding or evening shrug. Contrasted with this soft gray yarn the crystals look like pretty droplets of water. rather special.
If you fancy making these yourselves, visit the Black Sheep Wools website, where you can purchase the Rowan Finest Yarn and the Shine Swarovki Crystals.