In March, I was asked to review one of Javori Designs beaded knitting kits. I selected the Chelsea Necklace Kit as I have not knit much jewelry – and in fact, the only knitted jewelry I had made thus far was with wire.
The kit comes with everything you need – sparkly yarn, beads, bead threader, a ring (on which you cast on) and the clasp.
The directions were very clear, however, the Andi Javori has a wonderful tutorial on YouTube that made the clear directions clearer if you are, like me, a visual learner.
You thread on the prescribed number of beads before you begin and then you cast on. Can I just say BRAVO for this bead threader? It is really a wonder – sort of like a big-eyed needle! I loved how easy it made threading the beads on the yarn!
The cast on felt a bit fiddly and awkward, but you only cast on four stitches. The most difficult part of the knitting was counting rows – really. Casting on side two was much easier, and I had this cute necklace knit in about 3 hours – that includes the tassel and adding the beads to the tassel. So, this is a very quick project!
I am not sure I am supposed to tell you these parts, but obviously, the yarn is not my usual wooly want to stick to itself yarn and weaving in the ends worried me. I did not think they would stay – so I did the same wraps that I did to attach the tassel at the base of the ring. I simply wrapped the yarn tail around my knitting just below where I attached the clasps. I then used a crochet hook to pull the tail through and pull it tight. I made sure the yarn came through the back of the knitting so it is hidden in the necklace.
I did surgeons knots with the cast on tails on the wrong side and snipped them off. As you can see, I even had left-over yarn and beads – so I probably could have made it a little bit longer and there are enough beads that I could have added a row of beads to each beaded section.
I really like how it turned out! (And, I hope my sister will too – because it is heading off to her for her birthday!)
Andi Javori can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Ravelry, and Pinterest.
She has a wide variety of kits available on her website and she is graciously offering my readers a free pattern as well as a 15% discount on your entire online purchase from her website. Please use the code: KATKNITS before April 30, 2017.
If you decide to knit a Chelsea Necklace, please let me know! I would love to hear your thoughts and see your finished project!
That turned out really nice Kat! Can’t believe you made it that quickly!
So, not that I needed yet another project, but I ordered the Leah Twist necklace and bracelet kit, and a pattern for the Bella Knit Reversible Ring. I am going to a wedding in a few weeks, so maybe I’ll have some new jewelry?!?
Your necklace is gorgeous. I’m sure your sister will LOVE it!
A three hour project, sparkly yarn, lovely beads, and your helpful notes? This sounds like a great project, one I’m going to have to keep in mind for my sister’s birthday!
That’s a really cool necklace. Great job, I’m sure your sister will love it.
I’m not a huge fan of knit jewelry usually, but this looks really nice — and I can’t believe how fast it knit up!
What a perfect gift! Just lovely, Kat.
Very cool … and what a beautiful gift!
That’s lovely! I haven’t heard of Javori (so thanks) but I’ve knit some jewelry designed by Laura Nelkin. That fancy bead tool is really a floss threader. Ingenious reuse of household tool.
What a fun idea and a great review…I’m adding the jewelry to “my give to gift list ” for a knitter I know.
Cheers~