How to Make a Peyote Stitch and a Tubular Peyote Stitch
Peyote Stitch
Instructions
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.
Tubular Peyote Stitch
by Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator,
Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
Instructions
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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