Maximum total including threading beads: 2.5 hours

Made with size 3 cotton thread, using 2.5mm needles. It came out about an inch shorter than my first try, so I made another using 4mm needles.

My tips (which the pattern does not say):

1. be careful not to twist the beads or the yarn the beads are on - lay them flat while working
2. use the previous row as a guide to how much yarn to use with the beads - before moving on to the next stitch, check to make sure the beads are lying correctly one on top of each other. Otherwise … a little tinking might have to take place.
3. slower is better than faster - eliminates twisting and tinking
4. when using smaller needles, I increased number of stitches in between beads to 4 - that way the pattern could be more clearly seen. Of course you can stick to 4mm needles and 2 stitches - it’s all personal preference.

I like the feel of the 100% cotton better than the blend I used for my trial. Plus, for wearing around the neck, I feel more confident that there will be fewer reactions with cotton than any other yarn.

Will spend some time this weekend working out a bracelet pattern, although my Mom thinks I should work out an earring pattern first!