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Crochet beads — a deep dive, part 3

A third approach to adding beads with crochet is a hybrid method. This involves pre-stringing, so has all the caveats about stringing multiple colors in order, difficulty in fixing mistakes, and fraying yarn. It also has the advantage that if you strung correctly, the beads are not going anywhere. This method is slow because not only is the bead secured by being strung, it is secured again by pulling a loop through the bead. You'll need beads with large holes for this technique.

In technique video 5 the hybrid method is used in between stitches.

The result in double crochet is a horizontal bead that is very secure. In single crochet, the result is more angled. Also, this method means the bead is on the chain, and can interfere with making the next row of stitches. This method is best suited to adding beads on a final edge or adding looping swags of beads in a chain stitch edge.

In technique video 6 the hybrid method is used in the middle of making a stitch.

The results here much resemble technique 4. Unlike techniques 2 and 4, there are only two options in double crochet not three. If there is a way to do the hybrid technique on a yarn over, I couldn't figure it out. The first of the two options in double crochet produces a vertical bead. The second option is angled, very similar to the result in single crochet. The hybrid technique is mostly reversible. The two sides aren't quite identical — there is a strand of yarn running vertically between the beads — but the beads do show clearly from both sides. If you want to stack two beads on the same double crochet, they don't quite line up, as the top one is skewed.

The final technique video 7 is an unorthodox technique, indeed. And it is slow. It involves pulling a loop down through the bead, working most of the stitch, pulling the final loop back up through the bead, then completing the stitch. It has the advantages and disadvantages of using unstrung beads. You have creative freedom, but you'll have open containers of beads. You'll also need large-hole beads to make this work.

This technique has the advantage that the entire shaft of the double-crochet is through the bead. There are no weird loopy bits. The bead has a vertical orientation and is reversible. If you stack two beads on top of each other, they line up. With tall stitches, you could stack many, many beads.

This was a deep dive into beads with crochet. I know that's a lot to think about. Hopefully, this series helps you decide which techniques yield the results you like and are worth the trouble.

Comments

Betty said…
A MASTERFUL analysis of technique and an elegant innovation — thank you!