Topics: Seed Beads, Peyote, Odd-Count

Q.
I am beading a bracelet that is odd count flat peyote (Delica size 11 beads). I am beading it by holding it in my fingers, but when I set it down flat on the table top, it is wavy on the edges. If I flatten the top, the bottom becomes wavy. If I flatten the bottom, the top becomes wavy. Doesn't matter if I use single needle or two needle. What am I doing wrong and can I fix it or should I take it all apart and start over and be careful not to do what?
- Suzie
A.
Most of the time, waves like the type you are describing happen when you have missed adding a bead, or when the beads are an uneven size. If this is the case, then you would need to undo your work back to that point to make the correction. The nice thing about peyote projects is that you just need to undo your work to the point of where the mistake was made instead of undoing all of it or starting over from the beginning.

If the beads at the end of the odd numbered rows aren't woven in correctly, waves could be part of the end result. Waves could also happen from not keeping the tension even when sewing through the beads. I find that if when I get to the end of a row, turning the piece so that the working thread is at the bottom, and always pulling the thread in an upward direction instead of an outward direction, the thread tension stays very even.

Jewelry Makers Tip: Odd count peyote is great for making certain patterns that must have a distinct center line, or that are decreasing to a single point at the end. However, it is a much more time intensive technique and can be made much easier and faster by converting to even count peyote. This is done by adding one bead to the beginning row of beads. Just remember that even count will not have a center row and will not decrease to a single bead at the end.

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