Three Star Circular Peyote Stitch Earring Pattern

The materials below make one pair of earrings:

• 6 6mm Renaissance Cut fire polished Czech glass beads in milky amethyst (A).
• 168 size 11/0 Miyuki round seed beads in metallic gold lined crystal AB* (B).
• 82 size 14/0 Miyuki round seed beads in gold luster sage (C).
• 4 size 8/0 Miyuki round seed beads in taupe lined crystal AB (D).
• Size D beading thread in ash or taupe.
• Beading scissors.
• Size 12 beading needle.
• Ear wires of your choice. (The example in the photos uses gold filled French hooks.)
• Chain nose pliers.
• Optional supplies, such as a Vellux beading mat, thread conditioner, thread burner, and magnifier.

* B is available from UBeadIt, if you have trouble finding it elsewhere.

Pull and cut an arm span of beading thread, and thread the beading needle. Position the needle about six inches from the end of the thread, and fold over the thread tail to prepare for single-strand bead weaving.

The initial ring of circular peyote stitch is made up of two segments (or halves) of 7B each, which surround 1A. (The bead letter key is included in the materials list, above.)

Pick up 1A and position it about eight inches from the loose end of the thread. Use your fingers to hold the bead in place (rather than using a stop bead).

Pick up 7B, pass through the 1A, and pull the thread taut.

Pick up another 7B, pass through the 1A again, and pull the thread taut.

Follow the chart on the left to stitch a second round of circular peyote stitch using B beads.

Complete the first star by stitching 1C within each pair of 2B in the second round, following the thread path shown in the chart on the left.

You can use these photos to check your work. They show what the star should look like as you work through the previous steps. (Note, however, that they differ from the charts in that the second round of circular peyote is begun on the left side, rather than on the right. You can stitch in whichever direction you find most comfortable.)

The chart on the left shows the path of the thread through the section of right angle weave that will connect the second star (which you have not yet stitched). Here is how to stitch the connector:

• Begin by picking up 2C, 1D, 2C.
• Pass through the 1B that your thread currently exits (this is the very top of the first star), and pull the thread taut.
• Pass through the first 2C and the 1D again, and pull the thread taut again.
• Pick up 2C, 1B, 2C, and pass through the 1D again.
• Pull the thread taut, and then pass up through 2D and 1B again.

Your beadwork should now look like the small photo in the chart.

After pulling the thread taut again, pick up 1A for the second star and slide it down against the right angle weave connector.

Pick up 7B, pass through the 1A again,and pull the thread taut.

Pick up another 7B, pass through the 1A, and pull the thread taut again.

This completes the initial ring of circular peyote stitch for the second star.

Stitch the second round of circular peyote stitch, just like you did for the first star, with one important exception: When you reach the 1B at the top of the right-angle weave connector segment, simply pass through it, rather than picking up a new 1B.

The photo on the left shows how you can do this by passing through 3B all at once as you finish stitching the third pair of 2B for the second round.

When you finish the second round of circular peyote stitch, stitch the C embellishments, just like you did with the first star.

Use the same techniques and bead sequences to stitch another right angle weave connector segment and a third circular peyote stitch star.