BEAD WEAVING 101

What is bead weaving?

Bead weaving transforms tiny seed beads into intricate designs, from delicate jewelry to stunning decorative pieces. Unlike stringing, which simply threads beads onto a string or cord, bead weaving involves using a needle and specialized beading thread to sew the beads together, creating flexible or structured fabrics. The resulting fabric can be flat, tubular, or three-dimensional, depending on the stitch and design.

The great thing about bead weaving is that you don't need much to get started. You can create many projects with just beads, a needle, and thread.

Bead weaving is a slow process. Often times stitching one bead at a time. However, many people find it to be meditative and stress-relieving. Allow the slow pace of bead weaving to balance out the fast pace of the world we leave in.

Bead Weaving Stitches

There are many bead weaving stitches to learn and each creates a unique look. Below you will find photos and descriptions of the most common stitches as well as links to great tutorials online. If you're a beginner, these are probably the stitches you will want to learn first.

Ladder Stitch

Ladder stitch creates a strong, flexible foundation, often used as a base for other stitches or for creating straps and edgings. It involves creating two parallel rows of beads, connected by thread "rungs" like a ladder. This creates a sturdy and even structure upon which you can build more complex designs or simply leave as a clean, minimalist band like the ring below.

Ladder stitch may be referred to as single ladder stitch or double stitch. This simply refers to number of beads or rows created at once. With single ladder stitch, you add one bead and create one row at a time. With double ladder stitch, you add two beads and create two rows at once.

While triple ladder stitch is not a common term, you can add three beads and three rows at a time as shown in the ring above.

Ladder Stitch Beading Tutorials

Below are links to some ladder stitch tutorials online:

To make the ring shown above once you understand the basics of ladder stitch, click here for a tutorial.

Use this link for a tutorial using ladder stitch to make the beaded tassel earrings shown below.

Peyote Stitch

With peyote stitch, the beads are offset in rows, giving a brick-like or staggered appearance. It can be worked in flat or circular variations and is known for its ability to create intricate designs, shapes, and patterns like the beaded star below.

Peyote stitch is often referred to as even count or odd count. This refers to the number of beads you start with. If you start by adding 8 beads, it's even count. And if you start by adding 7 beads, it's odd count.

Generally, even count peyote stitch is a little easier. So I recommend starting there.

Peyote Stitch Beading Tutorials

Jill Wiseman (flat even count)

The Wholeness Shop (flat even count)

Potomac Beads (flat off count)

The Wholeness Shop (flat odd count)

Jill Wiseman (flat odd count turns)

Once you get the hang of peyote stitch, one of my favorite beginner projects is even count peyote stitch rings like the one shown below. I suggest starting with one or two colors or a bead mix. It's best to get the hang of the technique before you start working with patterns. So if the tutorial you're using follows a pattern, you can ignore the pattern and focus on the technique. Below are a few YouTube tutorials for you to check out.

Fusion Beads

Beauty Beads Land

Orchid and Opal Jewelry & Beads

Once you're comfortable with peyote stitch, you can use it to make beaded tassel earrings. Click here for a tutorial.

Brick Stitch

Brick stitch creates a flat fabric with staggered beads aligned in rows like a brick wall. There are lots of ways you can use brick stitch and three of them are shown below.

Brick Stitch Only
Brick Stitch with Fringe
Brick Stitch Around a Frame

Like ladder stitch, brick stitch is often referred to as single (1-drop) and double (2-drop) brick stitch. This refers to the number of beads you add and rows you create at once. For single brick stitch, you add one bead and create one row at once. With double brick stitch, you add two beads and create two rows at once.

Brick Stitch Beading Tutorials

Beading by Hannah (single and double)

The Wholeness Shop (double)

Beadaholique (increases and decreases)

Once you get the hand of brick stitch, you may want to try adding fringe to create fringe earrings or brick stitch on a hoop. You can find beginner-friendly tutorials for these designs below.

The Wholeness Shop (fringe earrings: part 1)

The Wholeness Shop (fringe earrings: part 2)

Swoop Fringe Earrings

Bugle Bead Chandelier Earrings

Brick Stitch Hoop Earrings

Herringbone Stitch

This stitch creates a diagonal, textured fabric. Beads are angled, creating a distinctive chevron pattern. You can create flat herringbone designs or stitch the beads into tube shapes with or without spirals.

Flat Herringbone
Tubular Herringbone

Herringbone Stitch Beading Tutorials

The tutorials below will teach you the basic herringbone stitch technques.

Jill Wiseman (flat)

Fusion Beads (flat)

Orchid and Opal Jewelry & Beads (tubular - 2 sides)

Fusion Beads (tubular - 3 sides)

Jill Wiseman (spiral)

Once you get the hand of herringbone stitch, here are some fun beginner-friendly beading projects to try.

Flat Herringbone Bracelet

Tubular Herringbone Bracelet (Snails & Fairy Dust)

Tubular Herringbone Hoop Earrings (Snails & Fairy Dust)

Candy Cane Spiral Herringbone

Square Stitch

Square stitch creates a flat fabric with a grid-like structure. It's similar in appearance to loom weaving, but it's done without a loom. The beads are arranged in neat rows and columns. Square stitch is often used for creating geometric patterns.

Below is a square stitch gingham pattern with beaded fringe.

Square Stitch Beading Tutorials

To learn square stitch, check out these tutorials.

The Wholeness Shop

Artbeads

If you'd like to make fringe earrings with square stitch as shown above, click here for a tutorial.

Bead Weaving Materials

First, I want to express how important it is to invest in quality beads and thread when you're beginning your bead weaving journey.

In order for the beads to fit nicely together and/or create a visible pattern, the beads must be uniform in shape and size. Miyuki Japanese seed beads are best for this purpose. Doing so will save you lots of headaches!

Buying beads in person is always a great experience. It really helps to be able to see the colors in person before you buy. Unfortunately, many online bead shops don't have accurate photos (but we do!). However, brick and mortar bead stores aren't in every town or city.

You can shop our collection of Miyuki seed beads here. You can find a list of other customer recommended online bead shops here.

In addition to beads, you will need a beading needle and beading thread. If you are making jewelry, you will also need jewelry findings.

Beading Needles

It's important to note that beading needles are different than sewing needles and they are sized much like seed beads – the higher the number, the finer the diameter of the needle. So, a size 12 needle is thinner than a size 10.

The two most common needle sizes used with seed beads are 10 and 12. Size 12 is often used with smaller seed beads (15/0 and 11/0) and size 10 is used with larger seed beads (11/0 and 8/0).

Big eye needles are also available, which are much easier to thread. They are good when you are just starting out, but I recommend graduating to standard beading needles. Ultimately, they are easier to stitch with.

Beading Thread

Choosing the right thread for your beading weaving project depends on a number of things. Consider the project itself, your own preferences, and any recommendations in the tutorial you're following. However, it's generally best to avoid regular sewing thread. Beading thread is stronger and more durable.

There are two main types of beading thread to consider. Thermally bonded thread and nylon beading thread. To learn more about each type of beading thread, please read this article.

Monofilament Thread
Nylon Bead Thread

Jewelry Findings

You may see or hear the word "findings" often when it comes to jewelry making. This just refers to the components needed to finish your designs. For example, once you finish creating the beaded portion of your jewelry, you need to add components so that your jewelry can be worn. This may be ear wires to turn your designs into earrings or clasps to turn your designs into bracelets or necklaces. Hoops and beading frames are also commonly used with bead weaving.

Ultimate Beginner's Beading Kit

We put together a carefully curated kit with all the things you need to get started creating jewelry with seed beads. Tools, beads, thread, jewelry findings, and more! So if you want to save yourself time and money, check it out here.

Bead Weaving Tips

Start Simple: Begin with basic stitches like ladder stitch and brick stitch before moving onto more difficult stitches.

Practice Makes Perfect: Don't get discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect. Bead weaving takes practice and patience.

Rely on Tutorials: YouTube has lots of great beginner beading tutorials. Here's a list of some great YouTube channels.

Use Quality Supplies: Investing in good quality beads, thread, and needles will make your beading experience more enjoyable and produce better results.

Bead mixes are also great when you're starting out and learning new stitches. They allow you to create colorful designs without worrying about following a pattern or spending a bunch of time figuring out which colors work well together. You can focus solely on learning the stitch.

Tension is Key: Maintain consistent thread tension throughout your work. Too tight, and your fabric will be stiff; too loose, and it will be floppy.

To Sum it Up...

Bead weaving is a rewarding craft that allows you to express your creativity and create beautiful, unique pieces. With practice and patience, you can master the various stitches and unlock a world of possibilities. So, gather your supplies and a cup of tea, choose a stitch, and embark on your bead weaving journey!