How to Use Brick Stitch in Beading

You can use a brick stitch to make a simple bracelet, as a base for more intricate beading, or to compose the long chains in a necklace. Brick stitching is a beading technique that you easily can master. You can use it with any size beads.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beads
• Beading Thread
• Beading Needle

1. Tie the thread onto the bead to hold the thread while you begin the base of the brick stitch.

2. Loop the thread around the first bead by looping the thread through the hole once.

3. Take a second bead and slide the thread through the bead. Then run the thread through the hole of the first bead and back through the second bead again. The 2 beads will connect with the outside edges touching.

4. Add the next bead and repeat the same steps. Thread the new bead onto the thread, go through the hole of the last bead and go through the new bead again. You want to create a circle of thread through the 2 beads. Repeat these steps until the piece is as wide as you want.

5. Start the second row of beading by threading 2 beads onto the needle and thread.

6. Now look at the single chain that was originally created. There will be a loop of thread between each bead on the base row. Slide the needle and thread under this loop of thread between the second and third bead. Pull the new row of beads against the base row. The new beads will be side-by-side with the base row, the holes of the beads should be lined up.

7. Thread just one bead and pull the needle and thread through the next loop of thread between the base row beads. Repeat this until you reach the end of the base row and have used up all the loops. You now have 2 rows of beads with the same number of beads on each.

8. Continue adding rows, staring with 2 beads and continuing adding 1 bead at a time, until the piece is the length that you want. In the last row, tie a knot in the thread and run the thread through one of the rows of beads to hide and secure it.