This beaded cover pattern is for a small size glass tree ornament. It uses a beaded lace stitch this is a modified version of vertical netting.
Please click on any image in this tutorial for a full-size view.
1. Gather Your Beads and Beading Supplies
The completed ornament using green, crystal, and white seed beads.
You'll need the following round Japanese seed beads, in the colors of your choice, to make one ornament cover:
- About 1.6 grams of size 11/0 beads in color A
- About 1.5 grams of size 11/0 beads in color B
- 36 size 8/0 beads in color C
This is a basic project that requires your personal kit of essential beadweaving supplies. I recommend 6-pound FireLine beading thread and a size 10 beading needle. To cut the FireLine, you can use side wire cutters or Xuron Beading Thread Cutters.
2. Grab an Ornament
How to measure your ornament.
You'll also need a small glass Christmas tree ornament with a horizontal middle diameter of about 1 7⁄16 inches. (If your ornament is slightly larger than this, you can experiment with adding additional size 11/0 beads to the pattern to eliminate areas where too much thread may otherwise show through.)
3. String the Top Ring of Beads
The top ring of beads complete.
Cut an arms' span of beading thread and thread the needle for single-strand beadweaving.
String six sets of the following motif of beads: 6A, 1B.
Learn more: Terms and Annotations Used in Beading Patterns
Slide the beads down to about eight inches from the end of the thread. Bring the ends of this little strand of beads together and tie a square knot in the thread.
Pass the needle through the next six beads in the ring, exiting through a B bead, and pull the thread taut.
4. String the Beads for the First Side Loop
All of the beads for the first side loop strung.
String the following beads:
1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A.
5. Complete the First Side Loop
The first side loop being completed.
Pass the needle through the same B that the thread exited at the end of Step 3, going in the same direction. Pull the thread taut to complete the loop. (Please remember that you can click on the image for a full-size view.)
6. Reposition the Thread for the Next Loop
Repositioning the thread to begin the second side loop.
Going in the same direction, pass the needle through the next six beads, bringing the thread out through the next B in the top ring. Pull the thread taut again.
7. String the Beads for the Next Side Loop
All of the beads for the second side loop strung.
String the following beads:
1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1C, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A, 1B.
8. Connect This Loop With the Previous Loop
The loop being connected.
Pass the needle up through the first set of 1C, 1A, 1C in the previous loop.
9. Complete This Loop
The second loop complete.
String 1B, 1A, 3B, and 1A.
Pass through the same B bead that your thread exited in Step 6. Pull the thread taut.
10. Make the Next Four Side Loops and Begin the Last Loop
Beginning the last side loop.
Repeat Steps 6-9 to make three more connected side loops around the top ring.
To begin the last (sixth) side loop, pick up 1A, 3B, 1A, and 1B. Then pass down through the last set of 1C, 1A, 1C in the very first loop.