Knitted Beaded Jewellery

Just in time for Christmas, Knitted Beaded Jewellery offers you a creative way of making really special, one-of-a-kind gifts for your nearest and dearest. Combine your knitting and beading skills to make the daintiest jewellery and accessories out of wools and cottons; or be a little adventurous and try working with wire or leather.

The book is divided into four sections starting with basic, beginner projects using beads and simple techniques. The projects in the sections that follow increase in difficulty – I recommend starting with one of the easier projects, like a ring or two, to get your creative juices flowing.

All in all, there are a choice of 14 different designs from which to make earrings, necklaces, chokers, wrist- and anklebands, hairbands, rings and even handbags. It really is up to you how creative you’d like to be, as the designs are versatile enough to embellish with as many beads, sequins and sparkly bits as you like. If you’re brave enough, you could even adapt the techniques to make gorgeous Christmas tree decorations.

As someone who is fairly crafty but inexperienced in this area, I was impressed by the detailed instructions, skill level indicator, tips and step-by-step photos and captions for each project. I also found the introductory Materials and Equipment and Techniques sections to be very useful. There, the author starts from scratch by teaching you all about different types of beads, equipment, measurements, abbreviations and techniques; right down to holding the needles, how to thread wire and how to finish off your projects – very useful to page back to as you get going.

Reviewed by Cara Visser

Published by New Holland Publishers