Sensational Beads: Silky Shaped Beads

✓Let the Interweave Knits Winter 2024 issue transport you to a winter wonderland of cozy knits! This remarkable edition features 14 extraordinary projects to immerse yourself in the uniqueness of specially crafted yarns.

Silky beads are Czech glass, two-hole, diamond-shaped beads that are flat on one side and have a raised ridge on the other side. You can fit them together or incorporate them into a woven pattern with other shaped beads and seed beads. They’re like little silk pillows (affiliate link) for your beadwork. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Silky Dream Bracelet

The Silky Dream Bracelet by Maria Teresa Moran uses a netting technique to combine Silky beads, SuperDuos, Swarovski crystals, and Japanese seed beads. I love the look of this bracelet! The monochromatic color scheme gives the bracelet an elegant, upscale appearance. I can see making this is silver so I could wear it with everything.

Modern Patchwork Bracelet

For the Modern Patchwork Bracelet by Marina Montagut, you weave a peyote stitch variation to create a patchwork effect. The resulting pattern resembles a beautiful, modern quilt. The matte metallic Silky beads give this an eye-catching, modern feel. Experiment with your favorite color palettes to create different looks.

Papillon Bracelet

Silky beads are the stars of this delicate bracelet inspired by butterflies. The Papillon Bracelet by Carole Ohl is an intermediate project that uses several different stitches. At first glance, this strikes me as a dressy accessory, but I think it would also look amazing in a Boho stack.

Champagne Serenade Earrings

These Champagne Serenade Earrings will be the perfect complement to your next special occasion–or use them to dress-up a ponytail! Evelína Palmontová stitched these earrings together in circular peyote stitch with picots for a fun, festive look. They’re a good beginner project and pretty much instant gratification.

Sugar Coated Earrings

Or, try the Sugar Coated Earrings by Laura Graham. Use tubular and circular netting to form open bezels around vibrant crystal rivolis, then add structural appeal to surround the bezel with two-hole beads. The Silky beads make good focal elements for the north-south-east-west compass points.

Find more recommendations for pretty shaped bead patterns to try in Beading Trends: Pastel Bead Weaving Projects.

Happy beading,
Katie Hacker
Interim Managing Editor of Beadwork