I have made 6 of these bracelets and have "orders" from my daughters for 6 more for their friends! The materials are lovely to work with and look at and the product is very satisfying to make and give away. – Susan Cassel
I loved this project so much I just ordered a second. It was my first time knitting with beads, and the bracelet turned out to be beautiful. I was surprised to see that the beads are on both the RS and the WS of the work, and actually tore out a few rows at first, but after researching, I found that this is normal and it helps give the beadwork some loft. A fun and very pretty project! – aimee raymond
I am thoroughly enjoying Maryella--the kits looked really pretty to me even before I began, and knitting the delicate project with such tiny needles is a delightful experience. It's true that it does take time to thread all the necessary beads, but you can definitely get into a rhythm with it. – Leah Namour
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In the Winter '04 edition of the e-zine Knitty, (see the URL for the webpage below), is a great beaded wristlet/ bracelet done in thread with different embellishment options. (It is by Adrienne Robson, and offered with her permission.)
Please note that for copyright reasons, we cannot print out the pattern for your use -- you must go to Knitty's archives and print it there for yourself. There is a link below to take you there, or simply go to Knitty.com and check the "archives' link.
Here we offer the threads and beads needed to make this creation titled MaryElla. The pattern suggests between 1,400 and 1,975 size 11/0 seed beads, as measured on pre-strung hanks. Now, we carry Miyuki beads from Japan, which are truly among the finest quality seed beads in the world. These beads don't come in hanks but the colors are great, the quality high, and the holes uniform. There are roughly 110 beads per gram in the 11/0 -- we decided to weigh the beads in our kits, instead of counting them (ouch!) so the full amount should be contained in 18 grams.
Each kit contains a ball of DMC Perle Cotton #8 and the full amount (and more) needed of the size 11/0 beads [We are including between 19 and 20 grams of beads in each kit.].
The knitting needles (US 0000/ 1.25 mm dps) go in and out of stock here -- we also are carrying circular 000's (1.5mm) that will be an excellent substitute if so desired.
And every kit comes with a handy tool to get the beads onto the thread. Oh, and be aware that you will need some simple snaps to act as clasps for the bracelet.
We have put together a large number of color combinations. We try to keep them all in stock but things do sell out sometimes without being immediately replaceable -- the drop-down menu is kept as up-to-date as we can.
Let me try to describe some of the combinations here -- please use your imagination to see what these can be.
We are offering the ecru thread plus pearl seed beads, the combination shown in the MaryElla pattern. ("Ceylon" is the term for a pearl-esque finish on seed beads). The "antique" ivory pearl ceylon is just a slight bit darker -- looks great with the ecru thread.
We just got in a really nice coral colored thread that we are matching with a lighter semi-matte coral ceylon bead -- quite lovely together.
And red thread with silver-lined ruby red -- quite striking.
Another tone-on-tone that looks great is our silver lined dark gold beads with the yellow thread. Quite a delightful sunny day...
We have an elegant grey with silver-lined amethyst beads. Sophisticated.
We are constantly adding new options as threads and beads cross our path -- we are absolutely in love with color and this is such a glorious way to "play."
We took a multi-color perle cotton in what I could best describe as a tiger's-eye colorway -- golds and browns -- matches beautifully with a silver lined dark gold bead, again nuances of golden browns. Stunning together!
We have some bead mixes from Miyuki which combine many colors and finishes within one color range or story.
After a long wait, we were finally able to get back in a great mix -- pinks and roses and flashes of gold-- try the Abracadabra beads with the Pink thread. A great combination of various finishes and hues with suggestions of the Sultan's palace....
Another mix called Elegant Evening has pinks of all finishes, hints of violet, and a scattering of black. Really lovely with a great depth of color. We are pairing it with the black thread. This bracelet would be stunning!
A new bead mix called Galactic Blue Gold (a mix of a few blues, green, dark topaz, yellow, and gold) is being paired with a deep topaz thread. Beautiful together. .
Another new option: White thread with Silver Lined Crystal AB beads. Perfect for the wedding party....
We now have a Transparent Chartreuse AB bead which looks lovely with the Chartreuse Thread. This is a great combination for those who love greens -- a difference in sparkle and texture creates a contrast.
And we just found some delicate pale sea foam thread to pair with the sea foam lined crystal AB beads. Really really nice.
The Moonstone Mix is a combination of ecrus and pinks and greys and the colors one sees in the semi-precious stone. We like it with the ecru thread.
And we found a wonderful matte metallic khaki iris bead (you can see the color on our 6/0 bead pages) paired with what I'd call an almost-but-not-quite-khaki but on the drop-down menu we have it listed as light khaki thread -- hard to describe nuances of colors but this one is a delight. Absolutely stunning. This bead is somewhat more expensive -- it has a wondrous depth to it -- and so this combination you will notice on the drop-down menu is a bit more. Well worth it we think.
Oh, I will stop now. You get the idea.
We add to these combinations and subtract from them as well periodically when items are not available. It is great fun putting these colors together.
As I mentioned above, we try to keep the drop-down menu up to date (though we sometimes slip up) so make your choices there and have a glorious time creating!
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Remember that a copy of the pattern is not included in this kit. For copyright reasons you must print out your own copy. Go to www.knitty.com, click on Archives, and then go to the Winter '04 edition. The Mary Ella pattern is there in the pattern section. Or click on the link below -- that works too. Thanks.
