On Our Needles- Rachel's Mudra Necklace by Nelkin Designs & a Giveaway!

The Mudra Necklace kit came with
everything I needed: yarn,
beads, pendant, clasps,
and the bead threader.
About a year and a half ago I fell in love with beaded knitting. I was in the process of planning my wedding and I decided that I had to have a beaded shawl. I knit the Aeolian Shawl in a lovely ivory that matched my dress and even though I was up very late blocking it the night before my wedding I am so glad I did it! 

All of the beads, ready to go!
After that project, I was hooked! I knit a couple of other (smaller of course!) beaded shawls, and then I started looking for new ways to incorporate beads into my knitting. Naturally, Laura Nelkin's interesting and innovative designs grabbed my attention! I had never knit any jewelry before, but I was certainly interested in trying. I started with the Ribband pattern, which is a long bracelet with beads running down the center that is worn wrapped multiple times around the arm. It can also be worn as a necklace! It practically flew off my needles, and I am super happy with the finished product! I couldn't wait to knit more of her designs, which brings us to her two newest kits, the Mudra Necklace and Mudra Cuff.

These two kits are so fabulous and the finished product is a lovely piece of jewelry. I already have plans to make several as Christmas gifts! I decided to try out the Mudra Necklace first. There are five colors to choose from and I went with Olivine which is an olive green yarn with matching beads that also have shiny gold and copper undertone. This combined with the cinnamon stick pendant creates a gorgeous necklace! 

Modeling my Mudra. :)
The kit itself includes everything you need including a dental floss threader for stringing the beads (for this particular pattern placing the bead with a crochet hook won't work). The beads are strung on the yarn in a particular order, which in my opinion was the most tedious part of the process. I was completely paranoid about messing up the order because once you start knitting there is no easy way to fix it. Too avoid having to start over I counted and recounted my beads several times to make sure it was exactly right. What can I say, I'm a perfectionist! Also, the small beads are a little difficult to get on the yarn, but with a little tugging I was able to get them all in place. 

My finished Mudra Necklace.
Once that was done and I began the actual knitting, it was smooth sailing. I didn't intend to finish the entire piece in one evening, but once I started I practically flew through it! The pattern is easy to memorize since it is based around a simple I-cord, with strategically placed beads. From start to finish (including the bead stringing!) it took me about two and a half hours. Talk about a fast project! The matching cuff would probably take a bit longer due to the extra length but I am definitely considering it so I can have a matched set.

I highly recommend this kit or any of the knitted jewelry by Nelkin Designs for both beginner and seasoned knitters. If you want to give beaded knitting a try, these kits are a great place to start!

Laura Nelkin, the amazing designer (who you can read more about in this earlier post) was kind enough to give us an extra Mudra Cuff kit to share with one lucky blog reader! To enter to win, please leave a comment on this post telling us what your favorite beaded design is be it a shawl or even one of Laura's kits! We'll pick a winner at random and announce it on next Wednesday's blog post! Thanks for reading!

Happy beaded knitting!
Rachel


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33 comments:

  1. I have made little owl socks with teeny beads for eyes. Not too difficult, maybe this should be my next step.

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  2. I recently knitted a Butin necklace by Laura and I love it! This was my first experience knitting with beads and I'd love to knit more of her designs. The Mudra necklace is next on my list!

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  3. I've made a beautiful beaded drop stitch scarf and I love it! It wn a 2nd place ribbon at the fair! I've also signed up for Laura's mystery beaded shawl on Ravelry. Can't wait to start.

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  4. I haven't tried beaded knitting yet, but I want to. I love the Butin earrings.

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  5. I have a few kits in my stash,but my favorite beading project will be the Trapeze Mystery KAL as this will be the first time I'm learning beading! Thank you Laura and JBW for this opportunity!

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  6. I love knitting beads and recently worked with purple beads and hope to work more with other beads.

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  7. I like the Undulating Waves scarf. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  8. My favorite beaded project is the only one I have tried, and it was a crocheted bracelet by Alice Merlino. I would love to try knitting with beads, and the Mudra Cuff looks like it would be a great way to start!

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  9. I forget exactly what they are called, but I have made several necklaces that are actually beaded knit pouches. Size 00 needles! They were fun to make, but honestly, havent worn them much!

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  10. I keep wanting to try knitting with beads, but just haven't tried it yet. That Aeolian Shawl is gorgeous and since I've been on a shawl making spree lately, I might have to try that one. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. My favorite beaded design is one I saw on Ravelry, called 'Caladan'. It is a beaded shawl worked in watery colors. If you've ever read the 'Dune' series of books, Caladan is a beautiful water world, and the shawl is beautiful too.

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  12. I knit Laura nelkins beaded diamond cuff bracelet, and loved it- both the process and the result!

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  13. I've just finished knitting Laura's Pioneer Cuff - I'm taking her Knitting With Beads course on Craftsy. I finished her other shawl knitting course - it was fabulous - she is such a great teacher! - I learned so much - and I decided I wanted to learn more - so now I am starting the first shawl with the beads in the fringe. What a lot more to learn! So, I guess up til now, that's my favourite! I would love to try her jewelry because everything else I've knitted that she has designed has been amazing! (I bought a couple of patterns from her website as well)

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  14. I have the ribband kit. I love it. Hope I do win.

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  15. All her kits are gorgeous but my favorite is the Butin Collar in Mineralogy. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  16. I love the Ice Queen cowl by Romi Hill, but I think this necklace would be a beautiful way to start beaded knitting. It seems inevitable to learn beaded knitting since I studied jewelry-making in college and also love to knit. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  17. I have the beads and yarn to make a beaded scarf but haven't worked up the nerve to try it yet. This project sounds like a good way to start.

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  18. I love the ribband in plum!

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  19. I love the necklace, it's beautiful. I've never tried beads, but have been wanting to learn. This looks like the perfect project.

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  20. I'm knitting the raven shawl with 8/0 seed beads, and it is stunning! I'm totally appreciating the power of beads now.

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  21. I would love to knit with beads - this would be my first jewelry project. esea on ravelry

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  22. I have been eyeing these kits since they became available! I crochet with beads, and this would be a perfect introduction to knitting with beads.

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  23. I don't have a lot of experience knitting with beads. I took a class at my LYS for a Sivia Harding Moonrise necklace and I really like how it turned. Planning to join Laura's MKAL; stuck on picking out the right beads. I love the Mudra designs and plan to put them both in the queue.

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  24. Honestly, I've always avoided using beads in my projects. I guess I've always felt it would slow me down!

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  25. I loved knitting the Butin Collar and matching earrings.

    Finnknitter@yahoo.com

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  26. I love Laura Nelkin's designs. I had so much fun knitting her Butin Collar. She picks the perfect color beads to go with special yarn. These kits are the best!

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  27. Just love the Mudra Necklace. I've never worked with beads in my knitting, can't wait to give this a try. Besides knitting, I dabble in stained glass and got to thinking, I could make the necklace and incorporate one of my fused pendants with the necklace. Great post Rachel!

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  28. I made a beautiful beaded bag that was so much fun to do. I love Laura's kits, and would love to try one.

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  29. I've never knit with beads, but I am always tempted to pick up one of Laura's kits every time I see them as I walk out of the shop. The Butin Collar is so pretty and it would be nice to wear some knitting, even when it's 100 degrees outside!

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  30. I guess my favorite beaded project would be the Aeolian Shawl that you knit for your wedding ;) That said, I would love to try one of these kits.

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  31. Lovely! I made a Butin kit a few months ago and LOVED it (still do), so that may be my favorite. So far.

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  32. I made the Butin collar and love it. I'm also taking Laura's knitting with beads class and learning so much.

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  33. My first time here never tried pattern would love to try Knitting

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