Flower Beads

This pattern is part of **Shine! Knitting with Beads**, a collection of 18 designs inspired by knitting with beads. Each project explores different techniques, textures, and constructions, inviting you to enjoy the creative process while knitting unique garments with a subtle touch of sparkle. **Available in English and Spanish**. **ABOUT THE PATTERN** The Flower Beads is a short bolero-style vest, a delicate piece that will make you shine wherever you go. I have always been drawn to flowers, their nature and quiet beauty, which inspired me to create this design as a way to express something I truly love. The vest features bead motifs created with different types of beads. **Sizes** 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9) Recommended ease: 0.5" / 2.75 cm of positive ease. The sample is shown in size 1, on a model with a 32.75" / 82 cm bust. **Finished measurements** A) Bust circumference: 34.75 (36.5, 39.5, 41.75, 45.25) (48.5, 52, 56.5, 59.5)" / 87 (91, 99, 104, 113) (121, 130, 141, 149) cm. B) Cross back (shoulder to shoulder): 15 (15, 16.5, 17.75, 19.5) (21, 22.75, 24.5, 25.75)" / 38 (38, 41, 44, 49) (52, 57, 61, 64) cm. C) Underarm to hem (body length): 6.25" / 17.5 cm. D) Armhole depth: 8 (8.25, 9.25, 9.75, 10) (10.25, 10.75, 11, 11)" / 20 (21, 23, 24, 25) (26, 27, 28, 28) cm. E) Total length: 14.25 (14.5, 15.5, 16, 16.25) (16.5, 17, 17.25, 17.25)" / 38 (38, 41, 42, 43) (43, 44, 45, 45) cm. **Materials** Yarns: DK-weight Version 1: Main Colour (MC): Hold one strand of Yarn A and Yarn B together. Yarn A: approx. 47 (63, 78, 94, 110) (125, 141, 156, 172) g / 206 (273, 342, 410, 479) (547, 615, 684, 752) yds / 188 (250, 313, 375, 438) (500, 563, 625, 688) m. Suggested yarn: Artyarns Merino Cloud – 80% merino, 20% cashmere (437 yds / 400 m – 100 g). 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) skeins, colour: 313. Yarn B: approx.16 (21, 26, 31, 37) (42, 47, 52, 57) g / 206 (273, 342, 410, 479) (547, 615, 684, 752) yds / 188 (250, 313, 375, 438) (500, 563, 625, 688) m. Suggested yarn: Artyarns Silk Mohair Glitter – 60% kid mohair, 40% silk (325 yds / 300 m – 25 g). 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins, colour: 313. **Version 2:** Main Colour (MC): Yarn A: approx. 75 (100, 125, 150, 175) (200, 225, 250, 275) g / 206 (273, 342, 410, 479) (547, 615, 684, 752) yds / 188 (250, 313, 375, 438) (500, 563, 625, 688) m. Suggested yarn: Cabeza de Alfiler Merino DK – 100% merino (137 yds / 125 m – 50 g). 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) (4, 5, 5, 6) skeins, colour: 000. **Recommended beads**: Delica 8/0, round 6/0, and square 3 mm or 4 mm. Bead counts are separated by section, so you can decide where to add or skip them. Bead 1 Version 1: miyuki, square 4 mm, colour: Galvanized Gold. Version 2: miyuki, square 4 mm, colour: 2035. Bead 2 Version 1: miyuki, round 6/0, colour: Smoky Rose. Version 2: miyuki, round 6/0, colour: 1052. Bead 3 Version 1: miyuki, round 6/0, colour: version 1: 6-234. Version 2: miyuki square 4 mm, colour:310. Bead 4 Version 1: miyuki, square 3 mm, colour: Rose. Version 2: miyuki, square 4 mm, colour: SB-2646. Bead 5 Version 1: miyuki, round 6/0, colour: Galvanized Gold. Version 2: miyuki, round 6/0, colour: Silverlined dark gold 6-1004. Bead 6 Version 1: miyuki, round 6/0, colour: 6-4243. Version 2: miyuki, round 6/0, colour: 6-1981. Bead units: Armholes: Bead 1 – 384 (400, 448, 464, 480) (496, 512, 528, 528) units. Bead 2 – 384 (400, 448, 464, 480) (496, 512, 528, 528) units. Bead 3 – 192 (200, 224, 232, 240) (248, 256, 264, 264) units. Side edges (full body): Bead 1 – 360 (368, 392, 400, 408) (416, 424, 432, 432) units. Bead 3 – 168 (172, 184, 188, 192) (196, 200, 204, 204) units. Lower edge and back neck: Bead 1 – 188 (196, 212, 222, 238) (252, 268, 290, 302) units. Total bead 1 and 3 (full vest): Bead 1 – 932 (964, 1052, 1086, 1126) (1164, 1204, 1250, 1262) units. Bead 3 – 360 (372, 408, 420, 432) (444, 456, 468, 468) units. Flowers: Bead 4 – 156 units. Bead 5 – 236 units. Bead 6 – 46 units. **Needles and cables:** N1: US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needles, 16" / 40 cm and 32" / 80 cm long. N2: US 6 / 4.0 mm circular needles, 16" / 40 cm and 32" / 80 cm long. **Notions:** Crochet hook for beading [US 12 – 0.60 mm], crochet hook for provisional cast on [4.5 mm / US 7], row counter (recommended), stitch marker, tapestry needle, waste yarn or 1 stitch holder, scrap yarn. **Gauge** 18 sts x 24 rows = 4" / 10 cm. Measured over Stockinette stitch after blocking, worked flat with N1. **Notes** The vest is worked seamlessly from the top down. It begins with the back with a provisional CO, followed by increases to shape the armholes. Once the back is complete, it is placed on hold while the fronts are worked separately from the same CO. When both fronts are finished, they are joined together with the back, and the work continues flat to complete the body. An I-cord edging is then picked up and worked around the armholes and the body for a clean, refined finish.