September 3, 2008

Square Stitch

This simple stitch is a good substitute for looms. It might be a bit clumsy in the beginning as you try to hold the first two rows in place, but it gets easier to handle when you have more rows.

For this tutorial, you will need beading thread, beading needle, and beads. I would advise the use of larger seed beads for starters. Consider size 8 or 6. This is just so you can get used to the technique. When you are ready to apply it to a project, by all means use the seed bead of your choice.

There is more space in the diagrams than there should be in your work. They are there just so you can see the process clearly. So we begin.

1. Cut a comfortable length of beading thread and thread your needle. You will use a single thread, so make your working tail longer than the other.

2. String one bead and either tie it or pass the thread through it twice. This is your stop bead, it will prevent your work from unraveling. If you tie it, make sure you pass the needle back through the bead so that you are ready to add more beads.

3. String on 5 more beads. These 6 beads make your first row.

4. To begin the next row, string 1 bead. Pass the needle back through the last bead of the first row.


5. Pass the needle back through the first bead of the second row.


6. String one bead. Pass the needle through the next bead on the first row, from right to left.


7. Continue this process until you get to end of the second row.

8. To begin the third row, string one bead. Pass the needle back through the last bead of the second row, from left to right. Then pass the needle back through the first bead of the third row, from right to left.



Continue to your desired length. Make the thread taut, so that the beads are snug against each other, but not so tight that the work becomes uneven.