Minna Necklace

Minna Necklace by Studio Avenue Six

What is Being Made

The Minna Necklace is a beaded knitted jewelry piece designed to be worn year-round. This versatile accessory combines the elegance of hand-knitted lace or sport weight yarn with the sparkle of pre-strung beads, creating a statement necklace that transitions seamlessly from casual to formal occasions. The design showcases how knitting techniques can be adapted beyond traditional garments to create wearable art.

Techniques and Construction

This project employs bead knitting, a specialized technique that integrates beads directly into the fabric as you work. The primary method involves pre-stringing all beads onto the yarn before beginning the project, then working them into knit stitches as you progress through the rows. The pattern uses a two-row repeat structure: the first row consists of knitting all stitches, while the second row combines knit and purl stitches with beads worked into every knit stitch. This creates a rhythmic pattern where beads are distributed throughout the fabric at regular intervals.

The necklace is constructed using circular needles in two different lengths to accommodate the varying strand lengths required for the design. Longer strands are worked on 24-inch circular needles, while shorter strands utilize 16-inch circular needles or the magic loop method, allowing for seamless construction of smaller circumferences.

Stitches Used

The Minna Necklace employs fundamental knitting stitches executed in a straightforward pattern:

• Knit stitch (k) – forms the base fabric structure
• Purl stitch (p) – creates textural variation and helps position beads effectively
• Bead integration – beads are worked into knit stitches during the second row of each repeat, anchoring them securely within the fabric

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Two yarn weight options are available, allowing crafters to choose based on desired drape and bead size:

• Lace Weight Option: Studio Avenue Six Bellwether Lace (4 ounces / 560 yards total), worked on US 1 circular needles. This delicate option requires 900 beads in 8/0 size, creating an intricate, lightweight necklace with fine detail.
• Sport Weight Option: Studio Avenue Six Bellwether Sport (4 ounces / 280 yards total), worked on US 4 circular needles. This slightly heavier yarn creates a more substantial necklace and requires 610 beads in 6/0 size, resulting in larger, more prominent bead placement.

The gauge is flexible and can be adjusted based on personal preference, allowing crafters to customize the final drape and appearance of the necklace. All beads must be pre-strung onto the yarn before beginning the project, requiring careful planning and preparation before knitting commences.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Minna Necklace is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore specialized techniques. While the basic stitches are simple, the bead integration method and the coordination of pre-stringing beads adds complexity that distinguishes this project from beginner work.