Decided to curl up with a crochet hook and season two of Arrested Development. I think I finally have a good handle on a pattern that will work for "noisy" trim. Realizing how many beads and coins this will take, too!
Pattern:
1. Create a crochet chain as long as you want the trim to be.
2. Turn. At the 2nd loop, SC across entire row.
3. Chain 1 and turn.
4. *SC, Chain 2* every other loop.
5. Bind off at end of third row.
Using a thinner yarn/thread, stitch to the center of each loop. String bead pattern, wrap around end bead or coin, then return needle through the first beads. Stitch to next loop and repeat.
This should be cool when I have the time to put the whole thing together as a hip scarf.