How to Make a Tubular Peyote Stitch

by Tammy Honaman, Author, Jewelry-Making Expert and Educator,
Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®
8235

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.

Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.

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