Beaded Coasters Photo and Crochet Instructions

This is continuation of the previous post, "Quick Beaded Coasters" Materials: 1) Yarn, med. wt. acrylic, worsted. I used Lion Brand. May use Scrap yarn, Sorry, I did not measure the exact yardage amount that each coaster required. 2) Crochet hook, Boye USA F/5-3.75mm aluminum and or Boye USA size D aluminum hook (used from R1 to R5).  3) Crochet hook, Boye D/3-3.25mm (used in R6 Beading Crochet sts.).  The Idea here is to choose a hook small enough to go through the hole of the beads and still be able to crochet effectively with the chosen yarn. 3) Pony Beads 16 beads for each coaster. I usually buy a 500 pieces pack of multi-colored pony beads. Please note that the holes of some pony beads are smaller than the standard size, that is why I end up using  different sizes crochet hooks. 4) Yarn needle (used to finish and hide the yarn ends).





Terms and Abbreviations:

R (Round)
Ch (Chain)
esc (Extended single crochet)
sl (slip stitch)
Rep. (Repeat)
sc (single crochet)
lb, LB (load bead)
ilb, Ilb, ILB (Initial load bead)
Connect= means to slip stitch (sl) into the beginning ch1 or ch2 of current round or row.

The Pattern:

R1 Ch4. Connect to form a ring. Ch2. Count this as 1 esc. 12 total # esc over ring,( beg. ch2 included). Connect.

R2 Ch2. *esc next st. 2esc next st. Rep* until there are 18 esc posts. Connect.

R3 Repeat R2. 28 esc posts.

R4 Ch2. *esc next 2sts. 2esc next st. Rep. until there are 36 esc posts. Connect.

R5 Ch2. Rep R4. 48 esc posts.

Beading Crochet Stitches: NOTE: After reading R6 instructions, Please see the "Crochet Beading Demo" which has a photo of each step.

R6 After the last sl of R5: ** Withdraw hook off the loop by holding st between middle finger and thumb(of the hand controlling the yarn) as you slip the hook out of the loop. Pick up a Pony Bead with the small crochet hook and slip it through the loop where the big hook had been.  Draw up the loop through the hole of the pony bead and sl. ch1.** This process will be referred to as ILB or ilb (initial load bead) because it will only be done for the first bead that is to be picked up by the smaller hook (load).

Sc. next 2 sts. Note:* Do not withdraw hook this time. (without uncoiling the working end of the yarn from the index finger, turn loose the motif and let the hand holding the hook hold the motif as well; while your freed middle finger and thumb is picking up the bead and positioning it for hook insertion.) There should be one loop on hook. Insert the hook through the hole of the pony bead and keep it in place with your middle finger(of hand holding the hook). Insert hook on next st and draw a loop. Yo and draw loop through all loops including the bead which is sandwiched between two loops on hook. In effect, you are actually doing a sc stitch with a bead between the 2 loops on hook. Sl. C1.* From now on, the process will be referred to as LB(lb) stands for Load Bead. Rep from * to * all around. Ending with sc next 2 sts, ch1. Connect. Fasten off.  Hide the ends with the use of yarn needle.

I understand that the beading process will be hard for beginner because it involves almost all your fingers in both hands to do the process. But with practice, just like anything, it becomes easier and easier as you practice the motion. The main thing is to have fun and if the beading process is too much for now, skip it and do a lacy edging around the coaster instead of the bead, it will still be pretty.

Please let me know if you encounter problem(s) and I'll be glad to help. Sorry that I don't have a video recorder, it would probably help a lot and I don't have a photographer to take picture of my hand while doing the beading process.

Oh before I sign out: Please heed the warning on the Bead package, as beads can indeed be a risk hazard for little children and pets who may put them in their mouth and swallow them, Same apply to crochet hooks and needles, Just make sure not to store them where kids and pets can get to them; nor work with these things when little kids and pets are around.

Have a fun! Fun Crochet Life!

Zoe