All About Peyote Stitch
From the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Collection
Welcome to the fascinating world of peyote stitch! Here's where you'll find resources for learning this easy and versatile seed-beading stitch used in all kinds of jewelry and crafty applications. Check out the videos and instructions to get started.
The basic materials you will need for any of these stitches are:
So grab your supplies, sit a spell and get ready to begin your seed-beading adventures. Happy beading!
Peyote Stitch Starter Tips
Step 1
Cut an approximately 4-inch length of wrapping wire. Form a wrapped loop on one end of the wire, then use a wire straightener to straighten the remainder of the wire.
Step 2
String the desired number of seed beads for the first row ONLY onto the straight end of the wire.
Step 3
Cut the desired length of thread, then thread a beading needle almost doubling the thread. Place a stop bead on the end of the working thread, by stringing one #11 seed bead onto the needle then sliding it to the end of the thread, leaving an approximately 10-inch tail. Pass back through the seed bead in the same direction, securing the bead in place.
Tip: Adding a stop bead to your thread will help keep your first row of beads in place and prevent them from falling off the end of your thread. Be sure not to incorporate your stop bead into your beadwork.
Step 4
String one seed bead, then pass through the first bead on the wire.
String an additional seed bead, then pass through the second seed bead on the wire. Repeat to add additional seed beads, passing through each of the remaining seed beads on the wire.
Step 5
Flip the wire over, then continue to add a third row, stitching through each bead in the second row (not on the wire). Repeat to create a total of six rows, then secure the thread.
This creates a frame that allows you to easily begin working new peyote stitch designs from, using this frame as a base section. Then simply separate the starter strip from the finished design and secure the tail.
Basic Peyote Stitch Instructions
by Marylynn McNutt, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
Step 1
Cut a length of thread (Nymo® or FireLine®) to a comfortable length for you to work with. The longer your thread, the farther you can work before you will have to add a new thread. Thread a beading needle almost doubling your thread but leaving a tail, making it easier to work.
Optional: Adding a stop bead to your thread will help keep your first row of beads in place. Be sure not to incorporate your stop bead into your beadwork.
Step 2
Following the instructions for your project, string the first row of beads onto your thread. This should be an even amount.
Step 3
String on one bead, pass the needle through the next-to-last bead strung on the thread then pull the thread so the new bead and the last bead from the previous row are stacked on top of each other.
Step 4
String on a bead, skip the next bead in the previous row then pass the needle through the bead after that. Pull the thread to tighten the beads up.
Continue to add beads until the end of the row. You will notice a zig-zag pattern begin to develop, with some of the beads from the first row "popping" up creating a seperate row.
Step 5
When adding the next row it may be helpful to rotate your work, as rows are added in the same direction each time. Do what's most comfortable for you.
Pick up a bead and pass your needle through the first "popped up" bead in the previous row. Continue to pick up a bead and pass the needle through the beads from the previous row, until you make your way across the length of the row.
Step 6
Repeat Step 5 until you reach the length the project instructions indicate.
How to Create an Even and Odd Count Peyote Stitch
Even Count Peyote Stitch
Step 1
Cut an approximately 3-foot length of size D Nymo® thread. Thread a #10 beading needle, almost doubling the thread (to make it easier to work with) but leaving a tail so you are working with only one thread.
Tip: Adding a stop bead to your thread will help keep your first row of beads in place. Be sure not to incorporate your stop bead into your beadwork.
Step 2
String six (or an even number of) #8 seed beads onto the needle, in the color pattern of your choice. Slide the seed beads down close to the stop bead. This is the first two rows.
Tip: Bring the thread around your index finger to keep the thread taut to prevent the beads from twisting around.
Note:
- #8 seed beads are larger than the typically used seed bead and make it easier to see the technique
- The first few rows of basic peyote are the most difficult. It gets much easier once these rows are complete.
Step 3
String an additional #8 seed bead, skip the previous seed bead, then pass through the next bead in the row. Pull the thread so the last seed bead rests on top of the one next to it, beginning the next row. String an additional seed bead, skip a bead and pass through the next bead.
Continue the peyote stitch to the desired length.
Tip: Pass through the top of each bead so the needle doesn't pass through and catch thread from previous rows.
Once the length is complete, pass through adjacent seed beads to create several loops to secure the thread in place, then trim excess.
Odd Count Peyote Stitch
Step 1
Cut one 5-foot length of thread.
Note: It may be necessary to cut additional lengths of thread later in the design.
Thread a beading needle almost doubling the thread (to make it easier to work with) but leaving a tail so you are working with only one thread. Place a stop bead on the end of the working thread leaving an approximately 12-inch tail.
Step 2
Begin the odd count peyote stitch by stringing an odd number of beads (typically seed beads) in the color of your choice.
Tip: The number of beads strung should be double the number desired in each row.
Continue to string one bead, skip the last bead in the previous row, then pass the needle through the next bead in the previous row. Pull the thread so the bead rests on top of the last bead in the previous row, beginning the next (third) row.
Continue the peyote stitch, skipping every other bead in the previous row. At the end of the row, the needle will exit the second from the last bead in the previous row.
Step 3
String the last bead, then pass the needle through the bead directly below it. Continue through the next two adjacent seed beads. Pass back through the seed bead directly above where you exited.
Continue down through the next two seed beads (diagonal) exiting the last seed bead in the previous row, then pass through the first seed bead directly above it once more. Continue the normal peyote stitch.
Step 4
The next row will continue in the typical peyote stitch, exiting the last bead in the row. There is no need to repeat Step 3; just string a new bead and continue to stitch the next row.
Step 5
At the end of the next (fifth) row, instead of passing the needle through the bead directly below (Step 3), pass the needle through the loop of thread at the end of the previous row (instead of the turn-around technique in Step 3).
Step 6
Continue the odd count peyote stitch, passing through the loop from the previous row at the end of every other new row.
How to Create Increasing and Decreasing Even-Count Peyote Stitches
Starting Peyote Stitch Pattern
Step 1
Cut a three-yard length of Nymo® thread. Add your needle to the end first off the spool. Apply thread conditioner if you'd like. Add a stop bead to the end, leaving an 18-inch tail which will be used to attach the bracelet to the clasp later. Do not use this bead when working your pattern.
Step 2
Thread on six size 8/0 seed beads; bring them down to the stop bead. Begin the peyote stitch.
Step 3
Continue to work the peyote stitch until you have completed enough rows (for either a bracelet or necklace) minus the length the clasp will add. Remove the "stop bead."
Decreasing Peyote Stitch
Goal: To taper the ends of a woven peyote strip to one bead wide so you can add a single-strand clasp.
Step 1
To decrease the end of an even-count peyote stitch, weave your peyote strip as long as you'd like or to the length your project instructions indicate.
Step 2
As your needle exits the last bead in the last row, weave it into the bead work, turning the needle around back in the direction it came. The goal is to weave through the beads, not over them, as you don't want to see the thread--it is not only unsightly but it will create an area of weakness in the design.
Step 3
With your needle facing the other direction, pass the needle through the last bead strung in the next to last row, then through the last bead strung in the last row. Pick up a new bead and pass the needle through the next "popped up" bead in the row. Continue across the row.
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you've decreased as far as you'd like or as your project instructions indicate.
To end, weave your thread into the beadwork until the thread is secure. Trim any excess thread.
Increasing Peyote Stitch
Increase Along the edge of even count peyote:
Exit the last bead in the previous row of the existing peyote stitch strip. String three seed beads, then pass the needle through the first seed bead. Bring the seed beads down along the edge of the strip and position the beads so the two beads on the end sit on top of each other. (This is extending peyote by two columns and adding the first seed bead in the next row.)
Tip: The beads will want to twist when first added but will smooth into the design with additional rows.
String one seed bead, then pass through the next "up" seed bead in the existing portion of the strip.
Continue the even count peyote stitch.
Adding beads to the center of peyote stitch:
Exit the seed bead adjacent to where the increase will be added. String two seed beads, then pass the needle through the next "up" seed bead. Bring the seed beads down into position between the beads. Continue the standard peyote stitch.
Tubular Peyote Stitch Instructions
by Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
Step 1
Cut a length of thread and add a needle to the end of the thread that is first off the spool. Thread a beading needle almost doubling the thread (to make it easier to work with) but leaving a tail so you are working with only one thread.
Note: Thread is woven in one direction. By placing the needle on the end first off the spool, the thread passes through beads and fabric easier.
Step 2
Thread on eight seed beads. Bring the seed beads toward the end of the thread, leaving a 6-inch tail.
Step 3
Pass the needle through all 8 seed beads again, then through the first bead strung one more time. Pull the thread so the seed beads tighten up and form a circle. This is the base row.
Tip: It may be helpful to slide the ring onto a pen, pencil or seed bead tube to help with the formation of the design.
Step 4
String on one seed bead then pass the needle through the third bead in the row (skipping one bead from where your needle exited in Step 3). String one seed bead, skip a seed bead in the base row and pass your needle through the fifth bead in the row. Repeat this pattern all the way around the base row of seed beads, skipping a seed bead each time you add a new seed bead--working until you have added four seed beads.
Tip: If this is your first time doing a peyote stitch, please note that the beginning rows can be challenging. The pattern will become clear in the later rows.
Step 5
Pass the needle up through the first seed bead added in Step 4, this is called a step-up, and positions your needle and thread so you can begin the next row.
Step 6
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you've created a tubular peyote the length your design calls for.
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