Freeform Peyote Stitch



This is my technique for freeform peyote stitch. Basically, I use a variety of beads – different sizes and shapes, from size 15 seed beads to 10mm glass beads – and sew them together in a mostly random fashion. I do however like to have some areas of the piece where the same bead is used to create areas of cohesion and focal interest. Freeform is also great for using those beads that may be a little misshapen, that you don't want to use in a project where perfection is necessary. I like to think of freeform as an all-inclusive technique - a land for the misfit beads that don't fit in anywhere else.

For this project I will be demonstrating a cuff bracelet in purples (of course you can use any colors you like). This cuff is something I am currently making, so I will be adding more to this tutorial as I get more done. To start I have provided detailed descriptions for the first 10 rows. After that I will provide generalized directions as well as additional tips and tricks and pictures of the cuff in various stages. I will also provide directions for the clasp, which will be a button and loop closure.

This is an intermediate project - some familiarity with peyote stitch is desirable.

Materials and Tools
In general I use a wide variety of beads – seed beads from size 15 to 8, Delicas, bugles, Czech fire-polished beads, crystals, stone, and glass beads. For this project specifically I am using the following:
(Starting with the dish on the left, top left)
4mm bugle beads
3mm bugle beads
6mm bugle beads
4mm round Czech fire-polished beads
size 9 3-cuts
size 11 seed beads, square-cut, Japanese
Delicas
(For the dish on the right, starting at top center)
Large hex beads
Large hex beads
Large hex beads
Size 8 seed beads

Beading needles – I love the beading needles by John James - they are thin and relatively flexible. A size 12 is good for this project, but you may want to have a size 13 on hand just in case. Of course you can whichever type of needle you like.
Thread – Nymo D in black
Thread Heaven
Sharp embroidery scissors
Glass button




In the instructions I will use the following abbreviations:
GTTNUB – go through the next “up” bead
Bugle - bugle bead
CFP – Czech fire-polished bead
3-cut – size 9 3-cut
Size 11 – size 11 seed bead
3-cut – size 9 3-cut
Size 8 – size 8 seed bead


To begin - cut a length of thread and condition it with Thread Heaven. I like to use a long piece of thread – about 6 feet - because I hate having to end old thread and add new thread. Of course you can use whatever length you are comfortable with. Tie on a stop bead, leaving a 2-foot tail. The tail will be used for the clasp.
Rows 1 & 2
String the following:
2 3-cuts
1 hex
1 3mm bugle
1 CFP
2 3-cuts
1 hex
3 size 11's
1 size 8


The stop bead is on the right. I have spaced the beads apart to make it easier to see them. I generally start with a random assortment of beads, trying to use each one that I've selected for the project, keeping in mind how wide I want the piece to be. When I do freeform peyote stitch, my projects have a tendency to become a bit wider than I had anticipated, so I take that into consideration when I string the first and second rows.

Row 3
2 delicas – GTTNUB
1 size 11 – go through next 2 beads to come out of the hex
2 3-cuts – go through the CFP
1 3mm bugle – GTTNUB
1 3-cut – go through the last bead


In this picture and all following pictures, the first two rows will be at the bottom and the stop bead will be on the right.
As you can see, you can pick up 1, 2, or more beads for each stitch. You can also skip a bead on the previous row, or go through two beads instead of just one.
Row 4
1 hex – GTTNUB
2 Delicas – go through the bugle
3 size 11's – go over the Czech and through the next two beads
1 Delica and 1 hex – GTTNUB
1 size 11 – go through the last 2 Delicas


At this point I decided that I especially liked the bugles, so I am going to create a small area of them.
Row 5
1 3mm bugle and 1 size 11 – GTTNUB
1 3-cut – go through the next hex & Delica
1 CFP – go through the next three beads
1 4mm bugle – go through the next 2 Delicas
1 hex – GTTNUB



I've also decided to use a bunch of the CFP's in the next several rows.
I am trying to keep the beadwork relatively flat for this piece, so I am choosing beads that fit well into the alloted spaces. However, if you prefer a bumpier, rufflier piece, choose beads that are a bit big for the space available - you'd have to balance that with beads that do fit in order for the piece to come out right.
Row 6
1 hex – GTTNUB
2 Delicas – go through the bugle
1 4mm bugle – go through the CFP
1 CFP – go through the 3-cut
1 Delica - go through the size 11
1 Delica – go through the bugle
1 Delica – go back through the bugle and the Delica


The way that I have sewn back up through the bugle and Delica on the left end caused them to turn almost vertical, and created a small open space. I did not plan this, and that's one of the fun things about freeform - you never really know what you're going to get.
Rather than keeping the 4mm bugles going up one above the other, I decided to move them over by one stitch, so they're still together but it looks more interesting and varied.
Row 7
1 size 8 – GTTNUB
1 3-cut – go through the CFP
3 size 11's – go through the bugle
2 3-cut's and 1 size 8 – go through the 2 Delicas
1 3mm bugle – GTTNUB



Row 8
2 size 11's – GTTNUB
1 Delica and 1 size 8 - go through the size 8 and one 3-cut
1 6mm bugle – go through the 3 size 11's, the CFP bead, and the 3-cut
1 size 8 - GTTNUB


I decided to change up the bugles, so instead of another 4mm I used a 6mm.
Row 9
2 3-cuts – GTTNUB
1 Delica – go through the CFP and two of the size 11's
1 size 8 – go through the 6mm bugle
1 CFP – go through the size 8 and the Delica
1 3mm bugle - go through one size 11


Even though you may use 2 or more beads in a stitch, when you come back in the next row you can go through just one if you choose.
Row 10
1 size 11 – GTTNUB
1 Delica – go through the size 8 and the CFP
1 6mm bugle – GTTNUB
2 3-cuts – go through the CFP and the Delica
1 size 11 – go through one 3-cut


By coming out of the CFP from row 9 and stitching in a 6mm bugle, another small space is created. Again, not intentional, but I like the way this looks. I will have to try to purposely create more small areas of space since I've already got two.


That's it for the first installment of this freeform peyote stitch tutorial. Stay tuned for more!