Art Deco Tila Bead Necklace Pattern

This pattern uses the following 5mm Miyuki Tila beads:

• 32 Tilas in mala green (A)
• 10 Tilas in ivory pearl ceylon (B)

Related directory: Where to Buy Tila Beads Online

It also uses the following Miyuki round seed beads:

• About 250 size 8/0 beads in opaque medium cream; I.D. number 08-0403 (C)
• 124 size 15/0 beads in opaque luster light cream; 15-9902 (D)
• 158 size 11/0 beads in color-lined light topaz/green; 11-0757B (E)
• 55 size 11/0 beads in color-lined light topaz/dark teal; 11-0757C (F)

The bold capital letters above are the bead key identifiers, which are referenced throughout this tutorial.

You'll also need the following beading supplies:

• 0.006-inch (0.15mm), 15-pound Beadalon DandyLine beading thread in white
• Size D Nymo beading thread in cream
• A size 10 English beading needle (or other size 10 beading needle of your choice)
• An Xacto knife or razor blade (for cutting the DandyLine)
• Beading scissors (for cutting the Nymo)
• Thread conditioner or beeswax
• Jump rings and a pre-made clasp of your choice

Pull and cut a length of DandyLine that is your total desired length for the completed necklace, less the length of your clasp, plus about 12 inches.

Optionally, pull the thread through thread conditioner or beeswax to lubricate it and help prevent tangling. Then, thread the needle and fold over a thread tail of six to eight inches.

The necklace terminates with two beaded loops that you can secure within jump rings to add your clasp. Begin by stringing the first end loop. Pick up 1C and 7D, and slide them down to about six inches from the end of the thread.

Pass back through the 1C, and pull the thread taut. Tie a square knot to secure the tension in the new beaded end loop.

String as many C as you need to achieve your desired necklace length. This will be your total necklace length less a quarter inch (for both end loops), and less the length of your clasp.

Then, pick up another 7D, and pass pack through the last C to form the second end loop. Gently cinch up the thread tension by holding the loop with your fingers while using your other hand to pull the thread tail. Avoid making the tension tight along the strand, but try to eliminate any noticeable gaps between C beads.

Pass the needle back through several C beads in the strand, and secure the thread tension by tying a half-hitch knot over the existing thread. Then, pass back through several more C beads in the strand and tie a surgeon's knot for extra security.

Pass back through several more C beads, and then cut the thread close to the beads.

Go back to the other end of the necklace, and thread the needle onto the thread tail. Pass back through several C beads in the strand, and tie a half-hitch knot. Then, pass back through several more beads before cutting this thread close to the bead strand.

This completes the beaded strand that serves as a base row for the vertical netting.

Prepare a length of Nymo beading thread that's just over two arm spans long. (Be sure to stretch your thread and coat it with a thin layer of thread conditioner or beeswax.) Thread the needle for single-strand beading.

Locate the center of your beaded necklace strand. (It's fine to be one bead off, which will happen if you have an even number of C beads in your strand.) Pass through the center-most C in the strand, and pull the Nymo thread halfway through that bead.

To anchor the Nymo thread, tie a half-hitch knot around the Dandyline thread just to the side of that center bead. Pull the thread backwards a little to hide the knot inside of the center bead.

The first column of vertical netting you stitch ultimately will be the center column; we'll go back and complete the other half of the netting using the long thread tail later.

Pick up the following beads for the first column:

1E, 1C, 1D, 1A, 1D, 1B, 1F, 1D, 1A, 1E, 1C, 1F, 1D, 1A, 1D, 1F

Tip: Decide which direction you feel most comfortable stitching your netting, and position your necklace accordingly. For example, if you prefer working left to right, you may need to flip the necklace strand so that your working thread exits toward the right, and the long thread tail exits toward the left.

Pick up the following beads for the first bottom loop: 8E, 1C, and 8E.

Pass back through the last F that you picked up in Step 7. Hold the beaded loop gently with your fingers, and use your other hand to pull the thread taut. Although the tension should not be tight, it should be cinched up enough that you don't see any spaces between beads.

Begin the second column (from the bottom up), by picking up 1D, 1B, 1D, 1F, 1C, and 1E. Pass up through the empty hole in the next A in the first column, and pull the thread taut. (This A serves as a link bead in the vertical netting.)

To complete this column:

• Pick up 1D, 1F, 1A, 1D, and pass up through the next A in the first column. Pull the thread taut.
• Pick up 1D, and pass up through the next C in the first column.
• Pick up 1E.
• Skip 1C in the beaded strand, and pass through the next C in the strand. Pull the thread taut.