Beads can add a lovely decorative touch to your knitting as well as weight to the edge of a shawl.  I’ve used beads in a few of my patterns, including Flama.

Beads can be added to your knitting in two ways, either working with beads that are ‘pre-strung’ on your yarn or added with a crochet hook while you work.

I’m going to look at pre-strung beads first of all and will later add some details about using a crochet hook.

Pre-stringing Beads on your yarn.

Long Tail Cast On with beads.

Elastic Bind Off with beads.