The bead stitch is a pretty stitch perfect for adding textured detail to any project. It is made by crocheting a puff stitch around the post of a double crochet. It is made in multiples of 2 plus 2
This pattern is written in US terms, but the UK translation is below
UK Translation
Double Crochet (dc) = treble crochet
Half Double Crochet (hdc) = half treble crochet
You can purchase the ad free, printable version of the pattern on Ravelry for just £2.40 which includes a weekly update with the next square
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-50-stitches-cal
The Pattern
You will need a 3.5mm hook
Row 1. Chain 32
In 4th chain from hook make a hdc (this is your 2nd stitch as your turning chain counts as your first stitch). Make a hdc in every chain – 30 stitches
Row 2. Chain 1(doesn’t count as a stitch) and alternate turning chain in the first stitch. In 2nd stitch make a dc. Around the post of the dc you just made make a puff stitch (yarn over, insert hook around the post, yarn over and pull up a loop. Repeat twice more until you have 7 loops on your hook then yarn over and pull through all 7 loops.) The double crochet and the puff make your first bead stitch.
*Skip the next stitch and make a bead stitch* repeat until you have 2 stitches left. Skip the next stitch and dc in the last stitch of the row. – 14 bead stitches
After every bead stitch you need to skip a stitch as the bead is so wide.
Turn
Row 3. Chain 1, make alternate double turning chain in first stitch. Hdc in every stitch – 30 stitches
Row 4 – 14. Repeat rows 2 and 3 with row 14 being a repeat of row 2.
The Border
Sc in every stitch across the top and bottom
In the side of rows 2 and 14 make 3sc, make 2sc in the side of all other rows. Add an extra sc in the corners for the turn
The Interlocking Border
If you are joining as you go, we need to add the interlocking border and weave it into the border of the previous square so they are joined together. Use a 4mm hook for this part of the border on all squares.
Start the border in the extra corner stitch on the bottom left hand side with a standing single crochet, and single crochet in the next corner stitch.
*Chain 4, skip the next 3 stitches, single crochet in the next two stitches* repeat this pattern across the bottom edge until you reach the next corner (you should have 6 loops). Make a single crochet in all 3 corner stitches. Carry on the pattern above. Do this for 3 sides.
When you get to the top left corner, single crochet in the 3 corner stitches then chain 4. Pull up a loop, then insert your hook into the top right loop of the previous square. Hook the loop from your chain 4 and pull it up through the seed stitch loop. Pull your loop tight, skip 3 and single crochet in the next 2 stitches of the adjoining square.
You should have joined the first 2 loops together. Repeat this for all 6 loops until you get back to the bottom left hand corner. Single crochet in the corner stitch, and join into the standing stitch.
You can now tie off and weave in your ends.
If you would like to close the gap between the corners of your squares, you can do this with a single stitch. I show you how in this video
If you have any questions about the pattern or the CAL, then come on over to the Facebook group – 50 Stitches where you can show us your completed squares too.