About

Beads add undeniable beauty to knitting, and many designers are now including beads in their lace and other designs. But how is one to choose perfect bead(s) for your project? This class presents guidelines for choosing beads that will enhance your knitting when combined with your yarn. We discuss color, dimensional effects, and the magic of light that makes it all possible.

In the morning, we learn principles for putting together inspired combinations of beads and yarn. In the afternoon, I introduce my Arcuato shawl, a design that accommodates from one to four different beads for different effects. We will sample our (hopefully more adventurous) choices from beads that I supply before casting on for the shawl.

Skill Level: Intermediate Skill Level. Skills required: casting on, binding off, knitting, purling, basic lace stitches including increases, decreases, and yarn overs. You must be comfortable with reading knitting charts for this class.

Materials Fee: $15.  Materials include beads and handouts. Please bring cash or check made out to BARN.

What to bring to class: 

Yarn:  Fingering weight yarn in a solid or shaded solid colorway, 400 (750) yards for small (large) size

Needle: Size 6 (4 mm) circular needle with sharp tips, 24” minimum length

Notions:

• Small steel crochet hook, size 13 (0.75 mm) for placing beads
  
• Post-it notes, magnetic chart keeper, or whatever method you prefer to keep track of your place in a knitting chart.
  
• Colored pencils or fine markers (optional) for color coding charts
  
• Bead mat or tray (optional), available at craft and bead stores
  

Age Level: This class is open to ages 14+

Instructor Bio: 
Sivia Harding has worked with fiber and art since she can remember. Obsessed since youth, by adulthood she had dabbled in weaving, spinning, and dyeing among other activities, and came to knitting in the year 2000. Almost immediately, she began to design. She is known mainly for her exceptional lace and bead designs. Her patterns also include accessories, garments, and imaginative Moebius creations. She has been widely published in books and collections, including Jared Flood’s Wool People series, online magazines such as Twist Collective and Knitty, and on Ravelry as Sivia Harding Knit Design. She has been teaching at larger venues since 2009.