Recently, I've gotten into beading. The beading that I'm talking about is not just stringing beads on a thread but a complex art form that merges stitching and microbeads. You can create patterns like in a tapestry.
The beads in question are mostly Japanese Miyuki beads. I have also branched into other beads but I'll talk about that some other time. What these are - small extremely uniform (Imagine Japanese level of precision) rounded or cylinder glass beads that serve as building blocks or pixels for creating complex patterns and designs.
Other thin needed for beading:
1 - A beading needle - There are two types - a collapsible needle which is better suited to peyote stitch (described subsequently) and a fine beading needle for threads as thin as 0.1mm in diameter. This lends itself well to the brick stitch. Pony makes great needles.
2 - Thread - the thread used for beading is not the normal run-of-the-mill thread. I suppose you can use it but it is more prone to breakage and cannot handle weight (in earrings and pendants). Also, since the beading uses a continuous thread even if one part breaks or frays it impacts the entire pattern.
So beading utilizes nylon threads. Brands like nymo, One-G, S-Lon. The best thread for beading in my opinion is fused fishing thread. So, fishing line manufacturers produce beading thread lines like Fireline and wildfire, which is incredibly strong and resistant. It is also pre-waxed which helps make the processes more smooth.
For Miyuki beads, I find the 6 lb Fireline the best. It is strong, thin and holds the shape of beading projects specially 3 D.
For fringe beads however, a nylon thread like Nymo works better because it is less stiff and gives that lovely swing to the fringe.
Here are a few examples of how bead weaving is done:
Typical beading has 2 major stitches:
1- Brick stitch: The name stems from this looking like a brick laying project (I think). two beads side by side and the bridge between these serves as the base for the other bead.
A basic brick stitch begins with a ladder. Where you create the base layer with adjacent beads.
On top of the above you start the brick stitch. A normal brick stitch moves in a decreasing triangle pattern but there is a provision to step up with one bead too.
The most basic pattern you can create is a triangle. Another simple pattern is a diamond wherein the base layer has a triangle on top and one below it.
There are patterns available for free or for sale that you can refer to. You can also create your own pattern.
2- Peyote Stitch: The second common stitch is the peyote, this one seems harder than the brick stitch because it involves adding a bead between alternating beads. But this is EASIER than brick stitch and more fun as well as more versatile. It is however, had to pattern and read.
The easiest peyote stitch would be a rectangular slab or a triangle.
This can be used to create whole bracelets, 3d objects like squares, Christmas ornaments and also shapes like square, kites, hexagons, pentagons, hearts.
