The Dutch Spiral Beadwork Stitch makes a great necklace or bracelet by itself and can be used for other applications as well. Try it as a strap for an Amulet Bag, or even as earrings!
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 60 minutes to make a short piece
Here's How:
- Begin the Dutch Spiral Beadwork Stitch by threading a #12 beading needle with about 4 or 5 yards of thread, depending upon your thread length preference. Nymo works well.
- Add 6 beads in this order: 1 size 8/0, 1 size 11/0, 1 size 8/0, 1 size 11/0, 1 size 8/0, 1 size 11/0.
- Tie this into a circle, and leave a tail of about 10 inches. This tail will be used for adding your clasp or findings.
- Start the next row by passing the needle through the first Size 8/0 bead you strung.
- Pick up 2 Size 11/0 beads and 1 size 8/0 bead.
- Pass the needle through the next size 8/0 bead from the previous row.
- Continue adding 2 size 11/0 and 1 size 8/0 until you finish the row. Each row has 3 sets of 3 beads each.
- For the third row, add 3 size 11/0 and one size 8/0, then pass through the first size 8/0 bead from the previous row.
- Continue in this count until your chain reaches the desired length.
- To decrease at the end, reduce the size 11/0 added to 2 for one row, and then to 1 for one row.
- Use the remaining thread to add your clasp or findings. Add a clasp at the other end, too, using the tail that was originally left.
Tips:
- Keep your thread tension tight and even for best results with this stitch.
- Use Czech type beads (rounded) rather than Delica type beads (cylindrical) when you first start out with this stitch.
- Don't wax your thread for this stitch, as you do not want a stiff thread. However, you can use a silicon based product to keep the thread from tangling.
What You Need:
- Nymo D Thread
- #12 Beading Needle
- Size 11/0 Seed Beads
- Size 8/0 Seed Beads