How to Crochet with Beads

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References

If you'd like to add a little sparkle to your latest crocheting project, add beads to your yarn. Pick out beads that are easy to slide onto your yarn and then begin your project. When you're ready to insert a bead, slide it up toward your crochet hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook and make a slip stitch, single crochet, or double crochet to secure the bead in place.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Choosing a Needle and Beads

1
Select beads that fit with the style and yarn of your project. The project pattern will tell you what kind of yarn to use, so pick beads that you can thread onto the yarn. If the pattern doesn't specify the yarn or beads, pick beads that match the style of the project.^{[1]
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- For example, use small seed beads with a thin fingering-weight yarn or pick a bulky bead for a heavier yarn with a rustic look.
2
Determine if you need a needle. Once you've selected the beads that you want to crochet into your work, look at the hole on a bead. If you can easily push the yarn through the hole, you won't need to use a needle at all.^{[2]
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- For example, if you have a large wooden bead with a hole that's 1/2 in (1.3 cm) wide, you can use your fingers to thread the bead onto the yarn.
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3
Pick out beading needles, if necessary. If your beads are too small to simply slip onto your yarn, you'll need to use a beading needle to get them onto the yarn. Purchase thin flexible beading needles that you can bend to position the bead.^{[3]
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- If you're working with larger beads and still want to use a needle, you can select a hard beading needle.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Threading and Crocheting Around the Beads

1
Slide the beads onto the yarn before you crochet. Get out as many beads as your pattern calls for and a few extra. Use the beading needle or your fingers to push the beads onto the working yarn that you haven't cut from the skein. If you're using the needle, thread yarn onto its eye and slide the beads onto the needle and down onto the yarn.^{[4]
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- If you're unsure how many beads to use or the pattern doesn't specify, slide as many beads as you think you need. You don't have to use all of them.
- Beads can sometimes break off of your yarn which is why it's a good idea to thread a few extra beads just in case.
2
Make a slip knot and chain stitches. Place the slip knot on your crochet hook and pull the yarn to tighten it around the hook. Chain up the number of stitches called for in your pattern. If you're not using a pattern, start with 10 chain stitches to give you some room to work with.^{[5]
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3
Single crochet (sc) into the first row. Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through the chain so you have 2 loops on your hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull it through both of the loops to make 1 single crochet stitch.^{[6]
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4
Slide a bead toward the hook and make a slip stitch. Pull 1 of the threaded beads right up to the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through. The bead will now be secured toward the back of the work.^{[7]
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- If you like, you can also make a single or double crochet stitch instead of a slip stitch.
5
Single crochet into the next stitch. Insert the hook into the next chain on your row and wrap the yarn over it. Pull the hook through the chain and wrap the yarn over the hook again. Pull the yarn through both loops on the hook to make 1 single crochet stitch.^{[8]
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6
Continue to slip stitch around each bead. Slide another bead right up to the hook and wrap the yarn over the it. Pull the hook through the stitch and push the bead toward the back of the work. Continue to alternate single crochet stitches with beaded slip stitches for as long as you want or for as long as the pattern calls for.^{[9]
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