Migrations Beading Tutorial

By now you have all probably figured out that I am obsessed with knitting with beads. I constantly scour stitch pattern books keeping my eyes open for a stitch that is screaming for beads. I had a love affair this winter with floats and beads, and Migrations was born from that. I've been getting e-mails (and even a few phone calls) from knitters who are a bit confused about how to do this stitch. First off, let me assure you, it is MUCH easier than the Undulating Waves, so if you have succeeded at that, this baby is a piece of cake. This tutorial will take you through the "steps" of the Migrations pattern that are a bit unusual so you can do it on your own. Keep in mind that not every step of the stitch is done here, only the ones that need illustration. You will need to purchase the pattern if you want to knit the scarf.

How to Place a Bead: (you can click on any of these pictures to make them bigger!)

Slide bead up the yarn with your right hand, work next stitch locking bead in place.

Row 2: How to work a stitch with three beads:

Slide beads up the yarn so that they touch the right hand needle, work next stitch pulling the beads through with the stitch.

Row 3: How to drop beads and pick them back up again:

pic 1

pic 2

pic 3

Pic 1: With right hand needle, lift up yarn over loop on left hand needle and slip off.
Pic 2: With right hand needle pull up next stitch on left hand needle to form a large loop (this is taking up the "slack" from the dropped yarn over.)
Pic 3: Then drop this loop off the left hand needle and let it hang in front of your work. Don't worry: this loop is large and has beads on it to keep it from slipping out.

pic 4

pic 5

Pic 4 With left hand needle, pick up loop, making sure beads are on the right "leg" of the loop.
Pic 5: Place loop without twisting it onto right hand needle. (You are not working this loop.)

Please ask questions if you have any... I'd love to hear from you!