Beads
New design: Peyote stitch
even-count or odd-count ✿
Each fills every other column, and the next row fills the gaps half a bead further down. Follow the row numbers, which zig-zag from side to side. Rows 1 and 2 (tinted) are strung together at the start. Tap a row number to pick that row.
Change the width one bead at a time, or type a number. An even width is even-count peyote and an odd width is odd-count; the badge above shows which you have.
Estimated size: about 1.3 cm wide and 1.0 cm long. Worked out from the bead size, so treat it as a guide and measure a small sample.
finished look · a sketch, not to scale
place a few beads and they'll show up here ✿
Stitching details for when you're ready to stitch
Starting pickup: 10 beads. These become rows 1 and 2, so the next row you stitch is row 3.
Shown in chart order, left to right. A dotted bead means that square is still empty on the chart, so give it a colour before you start.
This is one-bead-at-a-time peyote. A loom or square stitch chart can't be reused here as it is, because the beads sit in different places.
Peyote stitch, step by step
In peyote stitch the beads sit like a zip: every other bead is half a bead higher. You add one bead at a time into the gaps.
bead added in this stepalready in placestopper bead
1String rows 1 and 2 together. Put on a stopper bead, then string an even number of beads. This one string becomes rows 1 and 2 as soon as the next row pulls it into a zigzag, so count it as two rows.
2Pick up one, skip one, go through one. Pick up a bead. Skip the last bead on the string and go through the next one. The new bead sits on top of the bead you skipped.
3Repeat to the end of the row. Pick up one bead, skip one, go through the next, all the way along. Pull gently and the first string settles into its zigzag. The beads you just added are row 3.
4Turn. At the end of the row, pick up a bead and go back through the last bead you added, the one that stands up highest. That starts row 4.
5Fill each gap. From now on every row is the same: pick up one bead and go through the next bead that stands up. Each new bead drops into a gap.
6Count rows on the zigzag. Rows are counted along one edge, stepping up half a bead each time. Four rows are finished here.
Good to know
- An even width turns the same way at both edges. With an odd width one edge has no bead to go through, so that edge needs an extra turn through the beads below: that is why the designer treats even and odd widths separately.
- For a tube, the two side edges are joined so the rows run round and round.
- Take the stopper bead off when the piece is finished and weave that tail in.
This shows how the stitch works in general. It is not a thread path for any particular design.