As a little bonus, here is a simple method for adding beads to my Candy Cones pattern. One of my talented test knitters, Laura (or furstyferret on Ravelry), came up with it during pattern testing and I’m sharing it here with her permission.
Materials needed
Yarn, needles, and stuffing as detailed in the Candy Cones pattern, which is available on Ravelry and Payhip.
60 beads per cone, in a suitable size for your chosen yarn. I used size 6/0 round seed beads with sport weight yarn, but larger beads would have been a little easier to work with.
If using the crochet hook method for adding beads, you will need a crochet hook in a small enough size to pass through your beads with a little room left over for yarn. I used a US 4 / 2mm steel crochet hook. Note that the steel hooks used for fine crochet work have their own sizing system - this is not the same size as a standard US 4 hook.
How to add beads to the Candy Cones pattern
After working the base of the cone as per the pattern, you’ll need to follow the instructions for the Bobbles Pattern with just one difference: each time the pattern asks you to work a mini bobble, instead work the following sequence: knit 1 stitch, add bead to next stitch, knit the beaded stitch. Or for short: “knit, bead, knit”.
To add a bead to a stitch using the crochet hook method, first load a bead onto your hook. Then hook the next stitch and draw it through the hole in the bead - you might need to hold the bead steady with your fingers to pull the yarn all the way through. Place the stitch back on your left needle, ready to knit.
The crochet hook method for adding beads to knitting is my personal favourite, but another method such as pre-stringing your beads will work as well, and may be preferable if you have a ‘splitty’ yarn (with plies that split apart easily). I’ve included a couple of links below which give an overview of some different methods.
Helpful links
Silvia Harding’s article in Knitty, Seduced by beads
Susanna Winter’s tutorial, How to add beads to knitting
Find out more about my Candy Cones pattern, including Ravelry and Payhip purchase options.