Beaded Rope Necklace Tutorial
Learn how to make a beaded rope necklace
A beaded rope necklace is a a great way to show off the pendant you made. This post features three beaded rope necklace options. I made the beaded rope necklaces using the peyote stitch.
About the Peyote Stitch
The peyote stitch is an off-loom bead weaving technique. It can be worked with even or odd number of beads per row. The form of the beadwork can be flat or in a shape. The stitch technique is virtually the same for the stitch variations.
About the Beaded Rope Tutorial
You’ll learn how to make a beaded rope necklace using the following peyote stitch variations: tubular peyote stitch, flat even count peyote stitch, and 2 drop peyote stitch.
Tubular peyote can be tricky for beginners. This is especially true if the beads you are using aren’t uniformed in size. That is why I chose to include a beaded rope necklace made with the even count flat peyote stitch.
It is easy to transform a flat peyote strip into a tube (rope) by zip stitching the long edges together. As an added bonus, I chose to include the two drop peyote variation (even count and flat). The only difference between the two drop versus the regular peyote (flat even count) is that you pick up two beads at a time. Personally, I like the subtle detail (texture) that the 2 drop creates. Plus it works up a little bit faster. You could also choose to work the tubular peyote using the 2 drop variation.
Pendant Tutorials
Click on the links below to go to a pendant tutorial.
Materials (example list based on flat even count peyote version)
The quantity of seed beads required to make a beaded rope necklace depends on your design choices—how thick and long you want your beaded rope necklace to be. Below is an example based on the silver flat even count peyote version. The necklace is 16″ without the clasp. A total of ten rows were worked (including the first group of beads picked up).
- 14g 2mm Miyuki Seed Beads Galvanized Silver
- 2 Bead Caps Silver
- 2 Jump Rings Silver
- Toggle Clasp
- Beadalon® WildFire™ beading thread diameter 00.20mm (.008”)–Frost
- Big Eye Needle
- Scissors
Beaded Rope Necklace — Using Tubular Peyote Stitch
Why choose the tubular peyote stitch for a beaded rope necklace?
You would choose the tubular version if you wanted the chain to have a soft drape.
Tip: Leave a tail long enough to wrap around your pinky finger. This will make it easier to hold onto your work and to have a orientation point. Some instructions tell you to cut the tail right after making the square knot in step two. I recommend waiting.
- Thread needle with the longest piece of beading thread that you are comfortable working with.
- Pick up 10 seed beads. Pull the beads into a circle. Pass back through all of the beads a second time. Tie thread ends into a square knot. Pass the needle back through the first bead to bury the knot.
- Start working the tubular peyote stitch. Pick up one bead. Skip the first bead and pass through the next. Repeat a total of five times.
- Step up by passing through the first beaded added in this round. Continue until you have achieve the desired length.
- Go to bottom of post for instructions on attaching the clasp.
Beaded Rope Necklace — Using the Flat Even Count Peyote Stitch
Why choose the flat even count peyote stitch for a beaded rope necklace?
There are four reasons why you might choose the flat even count peyote stitch to make a beaded rope necklace. The first reason is that you haven’t learned the tubular peyote stitch yet. The second reason is that you feel more comfortable with the flat version of the stitchthan the tubular version. The third reason is that you want a stiff necklace. The fourth reason is that you want a thin chain. The image below shows two beaded rope chains with five beads at the end. As you can see, the tubular peyote in black is wider.
Instructions
- Thread needle with the longest piece of beading thread that you are comfortable working with.
- Pick up the stop bead (any contrasting bead). Pass through it again a couple of times, going in the same direction.
- Pick up 292 beads or the number required to make your desired necklace length.
- Pick up one seed bead. Skip the first bead and pass through the next. Repeat all the way across. (You should have work 146 beads for the row.)
- Repeat until you have worked a total of ten rows. The first group of beads you picked up count as two rows.
- Zip stitch the flat strip into a tube. Passing the needle back and forth through the up beads. Weave in thread ends and trim. (For more information on how to zip stitch, click here. Please refer to step six of Peyote Stitch Toggle Bar post.)
- Go to bottom of post for instructions on attaching the clasp.
Beaded Rope Necklace — Using the Two Drop Peyote Stitch
Why choose the two drop peyote stitch for a beaded rope necklace?
The reason for choosing this stitch would be the same as the even count flat peyote stitch.
- Thread needle with the longest piece of beading thread that you are comfortable working with.
- Pick up the stop bead (any contrasting bead). Pass through it again a couple of times, going in the same direction.
- Pick up enough beads to create the desired length. Like the flat even count peyote, the number of beads you pick up to achieve the desired length must be divisible by two. Unlike the even count peyote, the resulting number must also be even. This is because you will be passing through two beads per stitch.
- Pick up two seed beads. Skip two seed beads. Pass the needle through the next two beads. Repeat across the row.
- Follow steps five through seven from the even count flat peyote stitch version.
Attach the Clasp
- Open a jump ring. Insert the loop of the bead cap and the clasp. Close the ring.
- Apply glue to the end of the rope. TIP: squeeze out glue on a scrap piece of paper. Roll rope in glue. Insert rope into bead cap.
P.S. If you are making this as a gift, or are thinking about your holiday gift list, then I hope that you will consider my book Casual Bead Elegance, Stitch by Stitch. To learn more about the book and read reviews, please Click Here.
Daisy Chain Bracelet
Free Beaded Daisy Chain Bracelet Pattern
Learn how to make this daisy chain beaded bracelet. This is my interpretation of the popular daisy chain bracelet. I made it with the two-hole Es-O Mini beads, Czech fire polished beads and seed beads. I think this bracelet is extremely versatile and would make a great DIY gift. It looks great on its own or worn as a group. That is why I provided you with two additional variations.
Daisy Chain Bracelet — #1
This is the first daisy chain bracelet I made. I wanted it to reflect the easy carefree nature of summer. So, I chose to use only green seed beads.
Daisy Chain Bracelet — Version #2
I substituted most of the green seed bead with gold seed beads. This version is a little bit dressy looking. However, the daisies keep it from being too fussy looking.
Daisy Chain Bracelet — #3
I changed three design elements for the third version. 
The first design element I changed was the color of the daisies. The second design element is working 3mm gold seed beads before and after each flower. The third design element I changed was the number of stitches worked between the flowers.
P.S. If you are making this as a gift, or are thinking about your holiday gift list, then I hope that you will consider my book Casual Bead Elegance, Stitch by Stitch. To learn more about the book and read reviews, please Absolutely Darling Daisy Earrings
Free Beading Pattern for Daisy Earrings
Today’s daisy earrings were inspired by a daisy chain bracelet pattern that I created this week. (I will be posting the bracelet pattern soon.) These earrings are just so cute that I couldn’t wait to share them with you! I am keeping my fingers crossed that you will like them as much as I do.
Materials for Daisy Earrings
- Two Earring Wires Gold
- 6 8/0 Czech Seed Beads 24K Gold Plated
- 20 11/0 Czech Seed Beads 24K Gold Plated
- 24 11/0 Czech Seed Beads Olive Jade Luster
- 16 4mm Es-O Mini 2-hole Beads White Airy Pearl
- 2 4mm Czech Fire Polished Beads Round Yellow
- Beadalon® WildFire™ beading thread diameter 00.20mm (.008”)–Frost
- Big Eye Needle
- Beading Thread
Daisy Earrings Instruction
Create Earring Top
On 18” of beading thread, pick up one 8/0 gold bead, earring wire, and one 8/0 gold bead. Pass the needle up through the first bead, through the earring wire, and down through the second bead. Repeat thread path for a second time.
Work a herringbone stitch. Pick up two 11/0 gold seed beads. Pass down through the 8/0 bead below, through the earring wire and up through the 8/0 bead and the bead just added in this step.
Pick up four 11/0 gold seed beads, one green seed bead, one Es-O Mini bead, one green seed bead, and four 11/0 gold seed beads.
Work a modified herringbone stitch. Pass the needle down through the 11/0 gold bead below, up through five gold beads and one green bead.
Frame the Es-O Mini Bead. Pick up two green beads. Pass through the next hole of the Es-O Mini bead. Pick up two green beads. Pass through the Es-O Mini bead and the first two green beads you picked up in this step.
Add transition bead. Pick up one 8/0 gold bead. Pass down through the framing beads, through the Es-O Mini bead, up through the framing beads and through the 8/0. Repeat thread path working with tight tension.
Tip: If you ever find that you didn’t work with tight enough tension while creating a piece of jewelry, then you can remedy this when you are weaving in thread ends.
Start the Daisy
Flower Note: The first Es-O Mini bead you will pick up will be referred to as A and the second one as B.
Pick up one green bead, one Es-O Mini bead (A) and one green bead. Pass through the 8/0 and the next green bead.
Frame the “petal”. Pick up two green beads. Pass through the Es-O Mini bead. Pick up two green beads. Pass through the Es-O Mini bead, the first pair of green beads, and through the next hole of the Es-O Mini bead.
Pick up the center bead (4mm yellow fire polished bead) and one Es-O Mini bead (B). Pass through the center bead and A. Pick up two Es-O Mini beads and pass through B. Pick up three Es-O Mini beads and pass through A. Pass through all seven Es-O Mini beads. Repeat thread path several times and work with tight tension. This is how you get the center bead to rest on top. Just make sure that it is on the correct side when the earring is worn. Weave in thread ends and trim.
Make second earring by repeating the steps above.
P.S. If you are making this as a gift, or are thinking about your holiday gift list, then I hope that you will consider my book Casual Bead Elegance, Stitch by Stitch. To learn more about the book and read reviews, please Click Here.
Peyote Watchband Pattern
Peyote Watchband Tutorial
Learn how to make your own beaded peyote watchband. The bead stitch used to create the watchband is the peyote stitch and it is worked using seed beads. To make this beginner friendly, I did two things. The first thing I did was modify the traditional peyote stitch graph paper. I outlined each row in a different colors. I colored the row number to correspond to the outline color. I added some arrows. Plus, I enlarged the pattern. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will make it easier for people to read the chart. (However, I do know that the chart doesn’t look as pretty as the standard chart.) The second thing I did is provide options regarding how to adjust the size (length) of the project.
Three Flower Ring Tutorial
Free Beading Pattern
Three Flower Two-Hole Bead Ring
To create this three flower two-hole bead ring you will need the following beads: seed beads, Two-Hole Es-O Mini beads, pearls, and 2TINY™ Czech Fire Polished Bead. The stitches used are a modified right angle weave and herringbone.
Peyote Stitch Toggle Bar
Free Peyote Stitch Toggle Bar Tutorial
Have you ever gone on a quest to find the perfect clasp for your beadwork, but found out it didn’t exist? If the answer is yes, then you’ll want to learn how to make a peyote stitch toggle bar. Once you learn how to make a peyote stitch toggle bar you’ll be able to make a clasp that perfectly matches your beadwork using seed beads.
How to make a Peyote Stitch Toggle Bar
- Thread a needle with a 2′ long piece of beading thread. Pick up a stopper bead and pass through it again. [Definition of a Stopper Bead. A temporary bead used to prevent the other beads from falling off the thread is called a stopper bead. Choose a bead that is distinctly different from the beads in your project. String the stopper bead, and sew through it again in the same direction. If desired, sew through it one more time for added security.]
- Pick up 14 seed beads.
- Pickup one seed bead. Skip the first bead and the needle through the next one.
- Finish the row by working in the same way. You should have worked a total of 7 stitches (added seven beads).
- Work ten rows in the peyote stitch. The original 14 seed beads picked up counts as two rows. [From this point on your needle will be passing through the up beads.}
Count the beads at each end that are circled in red.
- Roll the strip into a tube. Zip stitch the edges together. It is called the zip stitch because the two ends of the peyote strip are brought together like the teeth of a zipper. This means passing the needle back and forth through the up beads from the two ends of the strip. (The up beads are marked with a red x.)
Attaching the Bar
The connector strip you create to connect the bar to the bracelet depends upon your bracelet design. A simple option can be seen in the section called Loop Options—#1. The thread would be exiting the end of the bracelet. Pick up some seed beads. (I picked up 7 per side.) Pass the needle through the center bead of the bar. Pick up some more seed beads. Complete the circuit by passing through the end of the bracelet. Repeat thread path until secure. Weave in thread ends and trim. Here are two more options.
Peyote Stitch Connector Strip
Use the center two seed bead as the base for the connector strip as shown in the photo below. Pick up one seed and pass through the next bead—twice. Continue working in the peyote stitch until you have achieved the desired length.
Herringbone Stitch Connector Strip
If you would like to see examples that use this option, then go to the section Loop Options—#2 and #4.
Weave thread so that it it exiting the center bead of the bar. Pick up two seed beads. Pass through the center bead and the first seed bead again.
Pick up two seed beads. Pass the needle down through the bead below and up through the next bead and the first bead picked up. Continue working in the herringbone stitch until you have achieved the desired length.
Loop Options
Use the same seed beads that you used to create the bar.
First option is the basic loop.
The starting point for this option is a three square stitch base. Pick up 20 seed beads. To complete the loop you would pass through the base. You would reinforce the loop by passing through all beads a few times. Weave in ends and trim.
Loop Option #1
Second option is also a basic loop but it is worked off of a ladder stitch end cap.
Weave through beads so that your needle is exiting one of the two center beads. Pick up 20 seed beads and then passed the needle through the second center bead. Reinforce the loop by repeating the thread path until secure. Weave in thread ends and trim.
Loop Option #2
Third option is a square stitch loop worked off of a single bead.
This option is different from the other ones in two ways. The first way it differs is that the toggle bar is embellished. This means that more beads are needed for the loop to accommodate the bar. The second way it differs is that it uses a contrasting bead as an embellishment to the loop. With the needle exiting the end bead, pick up 27 seed beads. Complete the circuit by passing through the end bead. Pass through the 27 added beads. Pick up 1 contrasting bead. Pass through the bead below and the one you just added. Repeat 26 more times. Weave in thread ends and reinforce as needed.
Loop Option #3
Fourth option is a square stitch loop worked off of two endpoints (beads).
With the needle exiting from the inside edge of the first bead, pick up 17 seed beads. Pass through the inside edge of the second endpoint bead. Pick up a seed bead. Pass through the bead below and the bead just added. Continue working in the square stitch until you reached the end. Weave in thread ends and trim.
Loop Option#4
Beautiful Beaded Butterfly Bracelet
Beaded Butterfly Bracelet Perfect For Spring
Learn how to make this beautiful beaded butterfly bracelet. It features happy colors inspired by spring. The beads used to create this beaded butterfly design are seed beads, fire polished beads and two-hole Es-O Mini beads.
Beaded Butterfly Pendant
Free Beaded Butterfly Pendant Pattern
The beads used to make this beaded butterfly pendant are: two hole Es-o mini beads, seed beads and 2TINY™ Czech Fire Polished Beads. The instructions includes photos. This project is beginner friendly and great for more experienced beaders who are short on time.
Tulip Heart Pendant or Earrings
Two Hole Bead Tulip Heart Pendant
This free beading pattern is for a two hole bead tulip heart pendant. It can be easily adapted into earrings.
