Coralie earrings: Knitty First Fall 2010

by Sarah Punderson

These earrings are reminiscent of coral found on the beach, twisted and airy, with bits of sea life hanging on. My fictional character, Coralie, would wear these earrings every day, but a different combination of yarn and beads for each day of the year.

Short rows create a spiral as you knit. The stainless steel in the yarn gives body to this very thin yarn. You can choose to use bads anywhere from size 11 to size 6, each size creating a different effect. It is not difficult to knit except for working with small needles and very thin yarn.

Experience with stringing beads and knitting with beads is helpful.

model: Lauren Fowler

photos: Sarah Punderson

SIZE
Shorter[Longer]
Note: burgundy earrings shown above are the longer size. Dusty blue and lime green shown below are shorter.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length of knitted portion: approx. 1.75[2.25] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn

Habu Textiles a-20/21 [69% silk, 31% stainless steel; 311yds/280m per 14.2g cone]; colors: Taupe or Lime Green [shown bottom right]
OR

Lion Brand Yarns LB Collection Wool Stainless Steel [75% wool, 25% stainless steel; 273yd/244m per 14g cone]; colors: #108 Dusty Blue [shown top right] or #114 Cerise
Note: 1 cone of either yarn will make many earrings; each earring requires approx. 5yd/4.5m of yarn.

Recommended needle size

2 US size 0/2mm double-point needles (straight or circular needles can also be used)
Note: Metal needles are recommended, as this yarn can be hard to work with on wooden needles.

Note: It is important to knit loosely to achieve the desired effect.

Notions
26[34] seed beads, any size from 6 to 11
Beads used:
Burgundy earrings: SL extra dark smoky amethyst size 8 beads.

Dusty Blue earrings: MA4-2136 transparent pale gray AB magatama/teardrop shaped

Lime Green earrings: Matte Metallic Khaki Iris size 8.

2 closed sterling silver jump rings, 4mm diameter
1 pair sterling silver ear wires
Beading needle or dental floss threader
Sewing needle
Flat nose pliers

GAUGE
Gauge is not important for this project.

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Place Bead: Slide bead up yarn so that it sits directly next to st on needle, k next st.

sk2p: Sl 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 2 sts decreased.

DIRECTIONS

Use beading needle or dental floss threader to thread 13[17] beads onto yarn.

CO 6 sts.

Note: Earrings are shaped using short rows. It is not necessary to wrap sts at turning points of short rows for this project.

Rows 1-2: K all sts.

Row 3: Place bead, BO 3 sts, k to end. 3 sts on needle.

Row 4: K all sts.

Row 5: Place bead, kfb, k1. 3 sts on right needle, 1 st on left needle. Turn work.

Row 6: K to end. 4 sts.

Row 7: Place bead, kfb, k1. 3 sts on right needle, 2 sts on left needle. Turn work.

Row 8: K to end. 5 sts.

Row 9: Place bead, kfb, k1. 3 sts on right needle, 3 sts on left needle. Turn work.

Row 10: K to end. 6 sts.

Repeat Rows 3-10 two[three] times more.

Work Rows 3-4 once more. 3 sts.

To finish off, work [sk2p]. Break yarn, leaving a tail approx. 6 inches long, and draw through remaining st.

FINISHING
Use yarn tail to sew knitted piece to closed jump ring. Attach ring to ear wire.

Note: If you are not familiar with how to attach something to an ear wire, this link shows directions for opening and closing jump rings. The bottom of an ear wire is opened and closed the same way.

Weave in and trim ends. Shape knitted piece as desired

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Sarah Punderson lives at the (New) Jersey shore and takes a lot of her inspiration from nature, especially the beach. She loves to work with simple shapes to create surprising designs. She designs for Plymouth Yarn Company and for her own website, sarahmontie.com.

She can also be found on Ravelry as sarahmontie and on etsy selling knitted and crocheted jewelry in addition to patterns.