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African Net NecklaceDateline: 05/18/98 Recently a reader sent me a picture of a necklace a friend of hers (I'm guessing she's a she, I only know her first initial is "K") bought in Africa. She was interested in finding out how it was made. I didn't know for sure off hand, but I was intrigued so I sat down and figured out the thread path. As you can see, there are many steps, but taken individually they are quite simple and the results are well worth the effort. Next week I will explore this pattern further with some examples of different patterns of color and instructions on how to make matching earrings. I just asked K for permission to post her photo, so hopefully I will be able to include that next week as well. Thanks for the inspiration K! Step 1: To begin, pick up one bead and go through it twice to secure it. Then pick up 11 more beads and go back through the 7th from the end.  Step 2: Now pick up 4 more beads and go down through your start bead (the very first one you picked up).  Step 3: Pick up 9 more beads and go up through the 7th from the end.  Step 4: Pick up 5 beads and go up through the 6th bead up from where your thread is coming out.  Step 5: Pick up 3 beads and go up through the 4th bead up from your thread.  Step 6: Pick up 4 beads and go down through the 2nd of the 3 beads you just added.  Step 7: Pick up another 4 beads and go down through the 5th bead down from the bead your thread is coming out of.  Step 8: Pick up 5 beads and go down through the 6th bead down from your thread.  Step 9: Pick up 6 beads and go back through the 4th from the end.  Step 10: Pick up 5 beads and go up through the 6th bead up from your thread. (Note that except for the turns at the top and bottom, you always skip the same number of beads as you are adding.)  As always, you are invited to write to me at beadwork.guide@about.com with any questions or comments you may have. I'd love to hear from you!
All text and graphics © Emily Hackbarth 1998 |
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