How to Read a Peyote Stitch Pattern: It's Easier Than You Think!
Do you love
those gorgeous peyote stitch patterns for flat peyote but find yourself
confused when it comes to actually reading them and stitching them up? You're
not alone - when I asked a question on the Beading Daily Facebook page
recently about how beaders keep track of where they are in a peyote stitch
pattern, I found more and more comments from beaders who were struggling with
how to read those peyote stitch patterns in the first place!
One of the
reasons why I learned how to do beadwork was because I wanted to learn how to
make peyote stitch amulet bags. (Remember those?!) And some of my favorite
amulet bag patterns used a peyote stitch pattern or graph. Once I learned how
to do flat peyote stitch, learning how to read those charted patterns was a
whole new learning experience, and one that I find many beaders struggle with
when they get started with peyote stitch.
Before You Get Started: Know Your Peyote Stitch Thread Path
I think the
key to being able to read a peyote stitch graph is that you have to be very
familiar with the mechanics of peyote stitch. Know the ins and outs of flat
peyote in all its various forms before you try reading a peyote stitch pattern.
If you are comfortable with and understand the thread path for flat peyote stitch,
you can use that to make reading a peyote stitch pattern that much easier.
Remember that
when you are working in flat peyote stitch, the first set of beads that you
pick up will make up the first two rows. The first row of beads that you add
after that will actually be your third row.
In this
graph, I've colored each of the first four rows a different color. Row 1 is
purple; Row 2 is green; Row 3 is blue; and Row 4 is yellow. This also gives you
an idea of how to count your rows in flat peyote stitch: since each row is
offset from the others, your counting should zig-zag back and forth. The thread path for flat peyote stitch creates a series of "up" beads that will stick out a little bit from the beads in the previous row. These are the beads that you stitch into when adding beads in each new row.
If you were
to start stitching this as a peyote stitch pattern, you would pick up your
first two rows of beads as they are numbered on the graph. Note that you're
alternating between purple and green beads for your first two rows. The first
bead that you add for Row 3 will be a blue bead, and you'll be stitching into
that last green bead (number 20 on the graph) that you picked up as part of
that first set. Adding those blue beads for Row 3 will create a set of "up" beads across the row.
Direction is
very important when you're reading a peyote stitch pattern as well. If you
start on the left side of the pattern and work your way to the right, you'll be
working from right to left back across the pattern as you add the next row. If
you're not going to finish the entire pattern in one session, it helps to mark
the pattern on the side that you finished your last row so you know where to
start when you're ready to start beading again!
Don't feel
like you have to start working peyote stitch with a complicated pattern right
from the beginning, either. Start with something simple that uses just a few
colors and then work your way up to a more complex pattern!
Do you still
need a little help with peyote stitch? Then you might want to check out
Peyote Stitch - Basics and Beyond with Melinda Barta.
If you already know a little bit about peyote stitch, it's a great way to
enhance your skills. Beginners can find all the instruction they need to get
started with peyote stitch basics, too. Because it's a digital download, there's
no waiting for delivery through the mail: you can download this video onto your
desktop or laptop computer and start learning peyote stitch today! If you're a
bead lover, chances are that you already have all the necessary beads and materials
to get started learning peyote stitch and all of its lovely variations.
Check
out Peyote Stitch - Basics and Beyond and find out why peyote stitch is so
popular with beaders and bead lovers!
Do you have
tips for beginners who are learning how to read peyote stitch patterns? Share
your tips and advice here on the blog!
Bead Happy,
Jennifer
P.S. Make
sure you head over to the Beading Daily
Facebook page to stay up to date with what's going on