Florence Spurling’s Fave Products for Knitting with Beads

Knitting with beads is a beautiful and versatile technique that adds a touch of elegance and sparkle to your projects. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter looking to try something new or a beginner eager to experiment with beads, you may be wondering what you need to master the technique. Ahead of her Interweave @ Home workshop, we chat with Florence Spurling about her favorite products for knitting with beads.

Related: Our Favorite Knitting Patterns with Beads

Hooks & Needles

Naturally, the right needles are at the top of the list for knitting with beads, but you may not have guessed that crochet hooks are on the list, too. Florence shared:

“I use a mix of metal and wood needles, depending on preference and the yarn I am working with. For metal, I love ChiaoGoo circular needles because the cord never gets twisted, and the needle tips are great for detailed work. If I’m using a slippery yarn, I will choose to work with Seeknit bamboo needles. These bamboo needles are really gorgeous, and the interchangeable set is on my wish list!”

“Clover crochet hooks are my favourite; they are very comfortable to use because of their ergonomic grip. I also find the hook catches yarn easily compared to some other branded hooks—small things like that can make a big difference!”

Beads

There are so many different beads out there, it can feel a little overwhelming! While it’s a lot of fun to explore different shapes and sizes, Florence recommend you purchase the best quality beads you can find. Japanese and Czech beads are known for their quality and precision—the beads are really uniform, meaning they will slide onto your yarn without any problems! Beads like this can be a little more expensive, but it’s worth it in the long run. Florence notes that sometimes less expensive packs can be so assorted in size, you aren’t able to use all of them. 

Related: Shimmer and Sparkle: Easily Add Beads to Your Knitting

Extras for Knitting with Beads

Beyond knitting needles, hooks, and beads, there are two sewing tools that Florence keeps handy.

“The other items I keep on hand for bead knitting are a fine sewing needle and sewing thread. I use these to help string my beads onto my yarn. Make sure the fine sewing needle can easily go through the hole of your beads. I thread a length of sewing thread through the eye of the needle and then pass the needle so that it’s sitting halfway on the thread. Then I tie a knot in the sewing thread to create a loop. I can then pass my yarn end into the opening of this loop. When I pick up beads with my sewing needle, I slide them down the thread and over the yarn.”

From the range of materials to the intricate details, knitting with beads offers endless possibilities—and Florence Spurling is one of the best teachers out there for this technique. Her exceptional skill and passion for teaching makes her Interweave @ Home workshop coming in May 2023 a perfect place to learn how to add a touch of glamour and sparkle to your knitted items. With her guidance, you will be able to create stunning projects sure to stand out!

Note: This article contains affiliate links to products we love. If you choose to purchase through our links, we may receive a commission.

Serial yarn sniffer Kerry Bogert loves to spend her time knitting when she’s not collaborating with the team at Interweave or editing Interweave Knits magazine. Her passion for making things with her hands is only matched by her love for her children and a well-attenuated stout. Kerry endeavors to never stop learning, buying yarn, or collecting beads. Read her latest articles at Interweave.com.