DATE NIGHT CLUTCH, EARRINGS & BRACELET
Add sparkle to your favorite clutch by making a French-knit handle clutch. Made with a French knitter (a jewelry tool that combines beads with string or yarn), this jewelry how-to is incredibly chic. Create earrings and a bracelet to match, and you are on your way to making memories…and oh so sophisticated!
Materials:
- Assorted white and clear beads and iridescent sequins for all pieces
Clutch Handle
- Satin silver bead stringing wire .012 (.30mm)
- 1 set rectangular rings (can use D-rings or O-rings)
- 26-gauge wire
Earrings
- 2-ply silver lamé cord
- Earring wires
- 4 crimp beads
Bracelet
- Clear stretchy cord
- 2 crimp beads
- 1 toggle clasp
Step 1
For Handle
- Length: 12" (305mm)
- 5-peg head
- Method B (Monofilament in front of peg) single stitch
Pre-string bead stringing wire with 460 assorted beads and sequins. Begin knitting, adding one bead between each peg on every row.
Wire to clutch at the rectangular rings. The first attachment is using the .012" (.30mm) stringing wire and a touch of glue at the base of the tube.
String 26-gauge stringing wire through some of the end beads and over the rectangular ring; do several wraps around the wires to create a lead to the handle.
Step 2
For Earrings
- 4-peg head
- Method A (Wrap all pegs) double stitch
Pre-string 2-ply silver cord with 40 assorted beads and sequins. Knit all rows, adding one bead between each peg every row.
Thread a crimp bead; then add the drop bead.
Bring the cord back through the crimp bead.
Using a darning needle, feed the end of the cord up through the knitted tube and out the other end. Crimp bead with pliers.
Attach the earring wires. Thread both ends through a crimp bead and an earring wire; then bring them back through the crimp bead. Crimp bead with pliers. Feed ends into the tube to hide. A small dot of clear-drying glue just below the crimped bead will help secure it. Trim ends.
Repeat Steps 1–4 for second earring.
Step 3
For Bracelet
- 5 1/2" (140mm) (un-stretched, not including toggle clasp)
- 5-peg head
- Method B single stitch
Pre-string clear stretchy cord with 210 assorted beads and sequins.
Begin knitting. On all rows, add one bead between each peg every row.
Thread end through crimp bead and toggle eyelet, then back through crimp bead. Crimp bead with pliers. Add a drop of clear-drying glue just below the crimped bead and hide the end down the center of the bracelet. This is the same technique as for the earrings. Repeat for other half of the closure.
Step 4
This how-to is excerpted with permission from Making Jewelry with a French Knitter: The Easy Way to Make Beautiful Beaded Accessories
by Carol Porter, published by Design Originals.
