Lace and Bead Scarf
The special project I’ve been working on was a present for my mother’s birthday. It’s a lace and bead scarf, it’s proven difficult to photograph but here goes:
The scalloped border is based on a “peacock tail” pattern I found in an old Victorian pattern for cuffs. I threaded beads on my yarn so that each cast on stitch had a bead between it and then I used the crochet hook method to add beads throughout the rest of the garment.
After the scallops there is a little arch like pattern before it melds into my main pattern.
The main pattern being a sort of upside-down heart, diamond thing:
It’s all in garter stitch so that it is reversible, the beads sit over a stitch so the scarf really does look the same from either side. It is knit in two halves and then grafted in the middle.
The colour has proved difficult to capture on “film”, it’s quite a dark teal. The beads are a lighter turquoise. The yarn is a 2ply wool from Bendigo Woolen Mills (the colour is “Venetian”, though their image does not do that colour justice either - it’s much darker) and standard foil lined seed beads.
It’s not a long scarf, just a little thing to tuck inside a coat in spring and autumn. The beading slows down the knitting but the finished effect is worth it, nothing too overt, just a lovely little sparkle when it catches the light.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Wow! This is just beautiful! I love the pattern and especially the border desgin. Nice job!
September 23rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
That is so pretty! I don’t think I’d have the patience for the beads, but the lace pattern is really nice.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:43 am
This is a work of love, I can see how much you have put into making this a very special gift for your mother.
The intricate pattern is wonderful, thank you for sharing this with us.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Oh that is *beautiful*. Your mum will love it!
September 26th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
what a great site, spotted it on the ravelry kiwi group, i’ll be back, there are not many modern knitters unafraid of fine needles!
where in nz are you? or are you afar and just from nz?
September 28th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
That is absolutely breathtaking!
October 1st, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Hello vintage purl, are you going to put the pattern on your site? The scarf is absolutely gorgeous!
regards Alison
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:43 am
Hi Alison,
This pattern won’t go online I’m afraid - it was a special, unique gift for mum and I’d like it to stay a “one of a kind” for her.
I’ve got a pattern for another beaded lace scarf swirling in my mind though, so maybe a different pattern of the same genre will appear in good time.
October 10th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Beautiful work! How did you find the Bendigo Classic 2 ply? I have a cone and am about to start a Swallowtail shawl with it - same colour as yours
October 15th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
lovely scarf for your mother - thanks for sharng a pic
thanks also for sharing the old patterns, there are many lovely ideas
December 25th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Could you tell me where I can find out how to do that stitch pattern of the “upside down heart diamond” thing? what is its name?
December 29th, 2007 at 12:34 am
[...] had a few queries about the pattern for the lace and bead scarf I made mum. I won’t release the whole pattern because it was a special present and I like to [...]
March 7th, 2008 at 12:56 am
where can I obtain a pattern for the lace and bead scarf pictured?
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:16 am
Please let me know how I can get this scarf pattern