Shades of grey

Mine is finished.


This is really, really beautiful.


In retrospect, I wouldn't change a thing. The beading is absolutely worth it. Slow, careful work - and a lovely result.


To recap - this is Mine, from Rowan 43. I used the yarn recommended by the pattern, Rowan's Bamboo Tape, in Storm. This is size 14 (UK sizing of course) and I used 9 out of the 10 skeins recommended. The beads are 8mm Swarovski dark grey crystal pearls from Creative Beadcraft, and silver lined clear glass beads from Rowan. They are attached individually with clear nylon monofilament sold for beading, with a simple knot at the back after every fourth bead, and the ends of the monofilament secured with a knot and a tiny dot of superglue to hold it.

It is not really possible to use any other method with these beads - and believe me I did consider all sorts of possibilities. But the pearls have a fine hole which cannot take anything other than a beading thread of some sort - also, they are really heavy, the pearls used on this garment weigh about 200 grams. Also, they have a reputation for sharp edges to the hole, which will cut through thread. Hence the choice of monofilament, and individual stitching. Actually, the individual stitching is what Rowan recommend in the pattern instructions - and it is a good way to go.

Putting this on is just wonderful - it feels like a beautiful heavy necklace.

And tomorrow, I shall have the pleasure of wearing it to work.


I'm looking forward to that.