Free Pattern: Fall Napkin Ring Revise

  When I designed the original Beaded Fall Napkin Rings, I tried to make an easy pattern that didn't require assembling separate pieces. After I posted the pattern, I started to make another set of them with larger beads. During the process, I realized that the original pattern isn't symmetrical. It doesn't affect the functionality of the finished piece, but it does cause the beads to sit slightly off-center.




  This bothered me, so I set about re-designing the rings, and rushed to publish the new version. Forgetting my dislike of weaving in any extra ends, I decided to make the pattern in pieces. It only took me about ten minutes to make the two separate pieces, then maybe another five minutes to join them together. I have to admit that it was much easier than the first design.




  The new and improved pattern is so much easier to follow, works up faster, and has symmetrical beads. The original version is pictured on the right in the following photo:

You can see that with the tiny seed beads I used, the piece looks symmetrical, but it's not. The following new pattern works better with the larger beads. View the original pattern here or check out the step by step tutorial if you would like to compare the differences.





Skill Level:
Easy





Materials:
Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn
- I used Red Heart Super Saver in "SH Browns". After looking on their website, it appears to be discontinued. Worsted cotton is interchangeable, just check your gauge.
Hook size I/9-5.50MM or size needed to obtain gauge
Yarn needle or smaller hook to weave in ends
Beads - 5 per piece




Gauge:
4" x "4 (10 cm by 10 cm) =
14 rows of 14 single crochet



Notes:
To use smaller beads on worsted weight yarn, use a drop of glue on the tail of the yarn. Twist tightly and allow to dry. Thread all of your beads before beginning.




Stitches and abbreviations:
Chain (ch)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Single crochet (sc)

Beginning (beg)
Repeat (rep)
Space/s (sp/s)
Yarn over (y/o)

Directions:

Strip A (3 beads):

Row 1:
Ch 3, make 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in last ch. (3 sc)


Row 2:
Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), turn. 1 sc in each of the remaining 2 sc.


Row 3:
Repeat Row 2.


Row 4:
Ch 1, turn. Insert hook in next sc, pull up a loop. Slide a bead up to the stitch, y/o, pull through both loops on hook. 1 sc in last st.


Rows 5 - 7:
Rep Row 2.


Row 8:
Rep Row 4.


Rows 9 through 12:
Rep Rows 5 through 8.


Rows 13 through 15:
Rep Row 2.


Border:
*(Ch 1, sl st in the next available post sp) 14 times. Rotate to work across bottom. (Ch 1, sl st) in each of the next 3 sc.* Rotate. Repeat from * to *. Ch 1, join with a sl st to beg ch-1. Bind off, weave in ends.


Strip B (2 beads):

Row 1:
Ch 3, make 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in last ch. (3 sc)


Row 2:
Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), turn. 1 sc in each of the remaining 2 sc.


Row 3:
Ch 1, turn. Insert hook in next sc, pull up a loop. Slide a bead up to the stitch, y/o, pull through both loops on hook. 1 sc in last st.

Rows 4 through 12:

Repeat Row 2.

Row 13:

Repeat Row 3.

Rows 14 and 15:

Repeat Row 2.

Border:

Ch 1, turn. (Sl st, ch 1) in each of the next 2 sc, in each of the next 14 side post sps, in each of the following 3 sc, and in the remaining 14 side post sps. Join with a sl st to beg ch-1. Bind off, weave in ends.

Joining:

*I have to apologize for not knowing the correct term for my seam. I always thought it was another version of the whip stitch, but a true whip stitch is brought back over the stitch. This seam is woven back and forth. Please, leave a comment (and a link to your blog if you have one) if you can give us the name of this stitch.

Pin the pieces together in an "X" shape before joining the ends. Strip A should be on top of Strip B, with the beads facing you.

Thread about 8" (20 cm) of yarn on a yarn needle. Start by folding so that the ends of the strips meet, with the beads on the inside. Weave the yarn through the back loops only of the first corresponding stitches of each strip. Pull the yarn through, leaving about a 6" (15 cm) tail. From the current side you are on, insert needle in the back loops of the next sts, pull through. Continue to the end of this strip.

Holding the next strip ends together, weave back and forth through the back loops of the sts.

Pull both ends to tighten and settle the stitches. You want to make sure there isn't a gap between the strips, or you'll have a big space and a single thread dangling in between them.

While weaving in the ends, work towards the center of the strip, where the middle bead is. Secure the strips together by weaving the yarn through the middle bead stitch.

Finish weaving in the ends. Turn right side out.

As I stated in the original pattern, I would love to see these starched to stiffen them, but I still haven't solved the problem of the beads becoming cloudy, and it shows even worse on these larger beads. I'm still open for suggestions if anyone has one.

So far, I've tried store-bought fabric stiffener, home-made liquid starch, and diluted craft glue. The glue dried clear on the beads, but with bumps, bubbles, and bare spots, so then I had to take the time to peel it all off of each bead.

Again, maybe they're better left as-is.