Choosing beads for a project is more difficult than I would ever have imagined. The first hurdle is ordering beads. We don’t have any bead shops nearby. I’m hoping Hobby Lobby will have beads but they won’t have nearly the selection as a real, specialized bead shop. My guess is that I’ll never live near a bead shop so mail order is my only option.
Beads aren’t horribly expensive but it does add up. I usually order a half a pack, which for most beads, is in the $15 to $30 range. Most half packs have about 1,500 beads in them. Many of the beaded shawl patterns I’ve looked at require 900 to 1,400 beads so the half packs are the way to go. But, if I think I need a light blue bead, I feel like I need to order at least 4 different colors in order to get a color I can use. Ordering one at a time requires paying shipping. I figure if I can build up a half decent bead stash, then I can choose the right beads from my stash. Of course, that’s exactly what I thought about fabric, and then yarn (you know where that got me) and now beads!
When I was quilting, I would tell my friends that if I gave 10 people each a fat quarter of the same print, and we all went and chose 5 fabrics to go with that fat quarter, we would likely all choose 5 completely different fabrics and our quilts would all be different but they would all be beautiful. It’s the same with quilting thread. With quilts made from the exact same fabrics, we would all choose different quilting thread and all the quilts would be very nice.
It’s the same with beads. Given the same yarn, same pattern, there’s no telling how many different beads we would all choose, and all would be fine.
All that to say . . there’s no 100% right and 100% wrong bead for any project! Obviously I’m not a beading expert, but the only thing that really matters for me is whether I want the beads to blend or stand out. One of the prettiest shawls I’ve seen on Ravelry is a white shawl made using red beads. They stand out totally but it’s gorgeous. On my blue shawl, that is finished and blocking now, I wanted beads that were basically the same color as the yarn but very sparkly.
I want to make a black shawl and my original intention was to use black beads. Even sparkly beads hardly show up on the black. The one thing I don’t want to do is go to the trouble and expense of beading and have the beads not show up at all.
Last night I knitted a swatch and used six different beads. Feel free to tell me what you think.
Swatch
#1 – Silky Eggshell 5050SB
I love the look of these beads. They’re chalky, icy, shadowy looking but they’re not really seed beads, and on the project, they look rustic and chunky. I want this project to be lacy, pretty and dainty so I’ve ruled these out.
#2 Antique Ivory Pearl Ceylon 6-592
These beads are pearly and look very dressy. I haven’t ruled them out, though I think they may look prettier on a different colored yarn.
#3 Gilt Lined Opal – 06-0551
I love these beads! You may notice that I love all the beads. These look “opal-y” with a gold lining but the gold lining is totally lost with the black yarn so I’ve ruled these out.
#4 Crystal – 6-131S
These are plain vanilla clear beads. Not something I would have guessed I’d like but I think they may be the best choice.
#5 Inside Color Lined Noir – 0283
The photo doesn’t do these justice. They’re turquoise/blue – clear beads with the turquoise/blue liner but all the color is lost on the black yarn so I’ve ruled them out.
#6 Matte Khaki Iris – 2035
These beads are so pretty. I can’t wait to use them on something but I don’t think this project is the project. What color yarn do you think these would work well with? I’m anxious to use them.
I think my choices are:
First Choice – #4
Second Choice – #2
What do you think?
pattilynn9 says
I picked #4 before I scrolled on down and read that you did too. They’re all beautiful tho!
Wanda says
I say. Try red ,gold or silver. I don’t !like white in it looks !like lint. Sorry but you ask. Just my thoughts.
Judy Laquidara says
Good point about the lint. I don’t want to use red because that would limit what I could wear with it. I thought about gold or silver but unless I spend a lot of $$, the gold beads look a bit cheap. I think the clear look a bit silver on the shawl. I may just go with those or I may keep looking.
Dottie says
My choices would be 4 or 5.
pamspretties57 says
Hi Judy. I like # 4 too. Don’t know what bead shops you’ve checked out, but have you looked at Fire Mountain Gems??? They have excellent products (I’ve used them for jewelry for years now) and are reasonably priced, with lots of options. They offer a discount if you buy in assorted multiples too. Just a thought for you. Hope you’re having a great weekend, hugs!!!
Judy Laquidara says
I have ordered from Fire Mountain and have always been happy. Thanks!
Cathy says
Where are you ordering the beads? Fairyhill was my first beaded shawl and I really enjoyed it. I ordered the beads from Amazon. Wondered if you had better options.
Judy Laquidara says
Just did a blog post with a list of the places where I’ve mostly ordered the beads I have here.
Laura Deaver says
I like #4 also.
Valerie Boudier says
Even though you’ve ruled them out I like 6 best on your photo
Pinot and Piecing says
I like #4 best also–subtle and sparkly at the same time. #6 would be interesting though–it would especially dress it up for the Holidays. Although…I’ve been a faithful reader long enough to have this sinking suspicion that you’ll decide on something else completely! I think if you have to ask for help to decide, nothing has knocked your socks off yet.
Judy Laquidara says
Hmmm . . you know me too well! 🙂
needleminder says
My choice would be #5 first, then #4. I like the subtlety of #5. You know it’s there, but it doesn’t hit you in the face.
Anne says
Number 4 is the best!
justquiltin says
# 4 or 5 was my first thought in seeing the swatch.
SusanB says
My first choice is #4. I think 2 & 3 have too much contrast with the black. If I had to name a second choice, it would be #6, followed by #5 in third place.
danielle nabozny says
I love Iris – I have Iris – because whatever I think theyw ill look good on – they havent yet. Of all your choices, I would say #4. But I dont see a silver there? And I would probably have tried silver before anything else.
Kay L Ford-Sollimo says
#2 is the more visible than #4 in the photo… So it depends on the look you are going for. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Dar in Mo says
I like #4 and $6 when looking just at the swatch first. After seeing the bowl of beads individually, the #4 look dressing and would not draw too much attention away from design in shawl, but still lend a sparkling look. #6 looked pretty in the bowl. Good luck. I know you will find the perfect ones.
Robin says
They all look pretty in the jars and as you explained them I almost changed my mind but based on the sample, I have to choose #6.
Pat says
4 or 5 My choices both pretty.
Wander says
I would pair #6 with Northbound Knitthing BFL silk lace in matcha. I think she does a wonderful job making yarn look metallic, and that would work well with your beads. Alchemy and Metallurgy in merino silk fingering is also gorgeous.
Joyce says
I like #4, but if you want them to stand out more, maybe look for a grey that isn’t high contrast but doesn’t totally blend in either.
Andrea says
Of these # 4 is my favorite. An iridescent black bead (sometimes called oilslick or peacock) or a pewter colored glass bead would also be beautiful. Whatever you choose I’m sure it will be beautiful!
marcille irwin says
I like beads #4 and #5. How about a jade green for the beads that you can’t wait to use?