Bb Peyote Chain

Peyote stitch links

chain

form an intricate

Use a favorite stitch to make a trendy piece of jewelry

designed by Maiko Kage

Large links of chain seem to be everywhere in fashion lately, and here’s an interesting way to stitch them. Work around the circumference of a ring of beads as if making a wheel. Then do it again from the same base row. Sew the two halves together to form sturdy circular and oval links.

You can dramatically change the look of this piece by choosing seed beads in different sizes and colors.

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Materials

stepbystep

[3] Work an increase in the

Circular link Beads in the photos and illustrations are shown in several colors for clarity. [1] On 2 yd. (1.8m) of thread, center 40 color A 110 seed beads. Tie the beads into a ring with a square knot (Basics, p. 140). Sew through the next A (figure 1, a–b). [2] Work in peyote stitch (Basics) by picking up an A, skipping an A on the ring, and sewing through the next A. Continue until you get back to the first A in this step. Sew through the A to step up to the next round (b–c).

[a]

pick up two As, and sew through the next single A on the opposite edge (figure 2, a–b). Pick up one A, and sew through the next single A on the opposite edge (b–c and photo d). [8] Continue around the ring until you reach the first As added in step 7. Sew through them, and continue, sewing through the As opposite the ones you sewed through in the last round. [9] Secure the tails using half-hitch knots (Basics) between beads. Make six circular links.

next round by picking up two As instead of one in every other stitch (c–d). [4] Work the next round, using one A per stitch and sewing through both increase beads on the previous round (d–e and photo a). [5] Set aside the working thread, and thread a needle on the tail. Work two rounds of peyote off the first row, remembering to step up (photo b). [6] Repeat steps 3 and 4, making sure the increases match the increases on the existing rounds (photo c). [7] With the thread exiting a single A on the last round,

[b]

[c]

bracelet 8 in. (20cm) • 6 6–8mm round gemstone beads • 12 3mm bicone crystals • size 110 Japanese seed beads 30g color A 30g color B • Nymo B • beading needles, #13 earrings • 4 4mm pearls • 2 6mm round crystals • 5g 150 Japanese seed beads • Nymo B • beading needles, #13 • 2 4mm soldered jump rings • pair of earring findings • chainnose pliers

[d]

e d

c

b a

a

c b

figure 1



figure 2



figure 3

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August 2006

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Toggle [1] On 2 yd. of thread, make a flat, odd-count peyote strip 21 As long and six rows wide (Basics and figure 3). [2] Sew the first row to the last row by zipping up the edge beads (Basics).

[e]

[f]

Connecting the links [1] Secure a 2-yd. length of thread in the first ring, and exit one of the single edge beads from step 7 of the circular link. [2] Pick up a 3mm bicone crystal, a 6mm gemstone, and a 3mm crystal. Sew through a corresponding bead on a second chain link, back through the beads just added, and back into the bead from step 1 (photo e). [3] Retrace the thread path to secure the connection.

[g]

Editor’s note:

If you prefer a more delicate bracelet, use 150 Japanese seed beads for the circular and oval links. Use a 4mm gemstone bead instead of a 6mm to connect the circular links.

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figure 4

Then, sew around the outside edge of the second link to a single bead on the opposite side. Connect the remaining links in the same manner. Connect the toggle to the end link.

Oval link Make oval links in the same manner as the circular links, with the following changes: Pick up 52 color B 110s instead of 40 As. Sew through two circular links before tying the beads into a ring (photo f). Refer to figure 4 for the increases and bead counts.

Earrings [1] Make a circular link using 150 seed beads, but don’t trim one of the tails. [2] With the tail exiting an outer edge bead, pick up

a 4mm pearl, a 6mm round crystal, a 4mm pearl, a 150, and a 4mm soldered jump ring. [3] Sew back through the beads and through the bead on the link where you started. Reinforce with a second thread path, tie a few half-hitch knots between beads, and trim the tails. [4] Open the earring finding, and slide the soldered jump ring into it. Close the finding (photo g). [5] Make a second earring to match the first. w You can contact Maiko Kage at 1474-6 Nakasho Izumisano-shi Osaka 5980002 Japan, rosette_c@ hotmail.com, or visit her website at homepage3.nifty .com/thebeadmilkyway.