New Two-Hole Es-O Mini Bead—About the Bead
The Es-O Mini bead is a new addition to the two-hole bead family. The shape of the bead is similar to a lentil with tapered ends. It is 4 mm long and 2.5 mm wide at its thickest point. What I like about them is that they nestle perfectly together due to their rounded surfaces. Plus, the thread tends to be less visible with the Es-O Mini bead than with the SuperDuo bead.
Es-O Mini vs. SuperDuo
I decided to update this post on May 8, 2018 due to readers asking me if the SuperDuo bead could be substituted for the Es-O Mini bead. The answer to the question is yes and no. Here is why. Yes, it is physically possible to do so. The chart below compares the attributes of the two beads. As you can see they are similar.
Top View
However, the end results won’t be the same. To help illustrate the point I worked up both beads using the peyote stitch. You can see from the photo labeled Top View that the left side of the strip with the Es-O Mini beads is narrower than the right side with the SuperDuo beads. You can see from the photo labeled Side View that the SuperDuo has a straight side and the visible thread is longer than with the Es-O Mini.
Side View
Peyote Stitch Tutorial
How to work the Peyote Stitch using the New Two-Hole Es-O Mini Bead
Working the peyote stitch with the New Two-Hole Es-o Mini Bead is only slightly different then working the stitch with seed beads.
- Pick up the stopper bead and pass through it again a couple of times, going in the same direction . Then pick up six Es-O Mini beads.
- Pick up one bead, skip the first bead (from the group of six) and pass through the (second hole) of the next bead.
- Repeat the second step two more times.
- Continue working until you have achieved the desired length.
Herringbone Tutorial 
How to work the herringbone stitch using the New Two-Hole Es-O Mini Bead
1.Work the first row in ladder stitch using seed beads. Thread needle with beading thread. Pick up four seed beads. Pass through all four beads again to create a two-by-two square.
Pick up two beads at a time. Pass through the two beads from the previous stitch and the two beads just added. Continue adding until you have the desired width. (The number of two bead stacks should be even.)
2. Pick up two Es-O Mini beads, and sew down through the next bead in the previous row and up through the following bead in the previous row. Repeat across the first row.
3. To turn in preparation, pass up through the second to last bead in the row below. When you pass up through the last bead added, pass up through the second hole.
4. Work second row of herringbone stitch using the Es-O Mini beads. Pick up two beads and pass the needle through the second hole of the bead below. Repeat until you finish the row.
Notes:
If you don’t like to see any thread along the outside edge, then pick up two seed bead before you pass through the second hole of the last bead added in the row you just completed.
Due to the size of the beads, you may want to double thread to make the stitches more secure.