Squares (Arrows) in peyote stitch (Free tutorial)

GEOMETRIC BEADWEAVING - ARROWS -  

TUTORIAL

                                                                                                                                 <zialolabeadsit>

Those fascinating  geometric  shapes, are based,  as the most of the basic geometric forms  in beadwaving , on  a genius but simple combination of two known stitches: The herringbone and the peyote stitch. 

    You can see them hold precious stones as part of a pendant,  or earrings, or assembled forming  amazing shapes, as for example the five pointed star.

      
I was asked for a tutorial so I try to make this one and share it :)

All you need is thread,  needle  no12 , some  seed (or cylinder)  beads no 11/0

scissors and quite of passion about beading…

To simplify the beading tutorial, I’m not going to show you any special pattern, instead I’m going to pick two  different colours, and attach the Colour A  to the herringbone stitch and  the colour B to the peyote, so they can be easily  distinguished.

The colour '' A'' (gold)  attached to the herringbone stitch will always concern a pair of beads (A1 +A2), forming  the corners of the unit, while the colour ''B'' (blue) will always concern one single bead of the peyote stitch, forming the body of the unit (arrow shape)

•        Row 1

String 4 beads of colour A and form a ‘’ring’’.(fig1) 

Pass your thread through the four beads more times so you feel sure that they stay in their position. (fig.2)

You have now 2 pairs of two beads, that they form the corners of the unit ( fig.1&2 )

• ·         Row 2

(your  thread is coming out of the first  A bead of the  pair. as shown in fig.2)

Add 2 A beads to your  thread, and then pass your needle to the bead immediately next to the second bead of the pair.

(you have just set your first herringbone stitch)

Repeat this action three times to complete the round. STEP UP* (fig.3)

• ·        Row 3

Add 2 A (beads) and pass to the  next A, as described in row 2.

Add 1 B and pass to the next A, (You have just set your first peyote stitch.)

Repeat  three more times, to complete the round and STEP UP (fig.4)

•     Row 4

Add 2 A and pass to the  next A.  Add 1B (bead), passing the thread  through the B bead of the previous round. Ad 1 B bead and pass through the A bead of the corner. this is always the ‘’two beads area’’ of the herringbone stitch, so add 2 A beads, and pass through the next A bead.

Repeat this action three times  to complete the row and step up.(fig.5)

• Row 5 and up

Repeat as in row 4. Increase the number of peyote stitches on each side by one, with each new row, and of course at the corners continue to add two A beads.
You can re-pass the thread through any bead in opposite direction in order to fix it before
you cut it.

Your unit if folded it, will look like this (fig.6)

feel free to ask any question if anything is not that clear...

drawing from the book of D.Fitzgerald ''shaped beadwork & beyond''