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Bead Crochet Snakes
History and Technique
Published: 27-Jan-2007
Author: Adele Rogers Recklies
Edited by: Jean Campbell
Bead Crochet Snakes is a goldmine for beadwork enthusiasts, scholars, and antique collectors. It is the only book to offer an extended, illustrated history of bead crochet snakes and five patterns for beaders who want to crochet their own snakes. The book's extensive photos, clear charts, and detailed instructions made Bead Crochet Snakes a must for anyone curious about the rich history of these wonderful objects.
Bead Crochet Snakes illustrates how these beautiful, shiny serpents fit into the rich tradition of bead crochet as practiced in the Ottoman Empire and neighboring countries like Bulgaria, Greece, and Macedonia. It also explains how the snakes were constructed, the fascinating story of snakes made by Turkish prisoners of war during World War I, and how to tell those snakes from others made later.
Beaders can gain inspiration from the many photos of bead crochet items as well as make their own bead crochet snakes to exhibit or wear. Patterns are provided for a snake necklace with a loopy tail, a rattlesnake necklace, two matching bracelets, and a memory wire snake bracelet. The projects will also teach beaders an alternative stringing method, the bead single crochet stitch, increasing and decreasing beads, crocheting on two sides of a foundation chain, and two methods of fastening on a new thread.
Editorial Reviews
THE BOTTOM LINE: This book contains facts about the fascinating history of European bead crochet snakes, as well as patterns designed by the author, with complete instructions and diagrams to crochet some beautiful snake designs as bracelets and necklaces. --Sandi Marshall, Your Guide to Crochet, About.com