Apache Leaf Stitch Directions
The Apache Leaf Stitch is a way of stringing together beads adapted from a Native American design, so named because it resembles a chain of leaves. This stitch pattern is often used to create colorful and striking jewelry--most popularly, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
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Things You'll Need
- Size 11 seed beads, white
- Size 11 seed beads, green
- Beading thread
- #12 beading needle
- Necklace or bracelet clasp
Instructions
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Making a Necklace Cord
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1
Thread your needle. Tie the end of the thread securely to one-half of your clasp, leaving a 4-inch tail.
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2
String one green bead, five white beads, one green bead and two white beads. This is the base unit for the necklace cord.
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3
String more beads, repeating the base unit until your necklace or bracelet has reached the desired length. Omit the last two white beads from the last unit.
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4
Attach the other half of your clasp securely to the end of the cord. Run your needle and thread back through the last five beads you strung, then cut the thread.
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5
Thread the tail you left at the beginning through the needle and run it through the first five beads you strung. Trim the excess.
Making the Leaf Pattern
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6
Thread your needle. Tie the end of the thread securely to the clasp at the beginning of your base cord, leaving a 4-inch tail.
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7
String a white bead. Go through the green bead at the beginning of the base cord from right to left. Pass the needle and thread through the white bead you just strung again from left to right.
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8
String two white beads and eight green beads. Pass the needle and thread back through the seventh green bead you just strung.
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9
String nine green beads. Pass the needle and thread through the third white bead in the base cord from right to left, then pass the needle and thread back through the last green bead you just strung.
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10
String two green beads, then pass the needle and thread through the first three green beads you strung in step 3.
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11
String a green bead, a white bead and another green bead, then pass the needle and thread through the fifth and fourth green bead you strung in step 4, in that order.
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12
String a green bead, pass the needle and thread through the white bead you just strung, then string another green bead and pass the needle and thread through the second and third bead you strung in step 3.
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13
Pass the needle and thread through the three beads you strung in step 6, then pass the needle and thread through the sixth bead you strung in step 4. This completes the "leaf" figure.
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14
String three white beads. Pass the needle and thread through the second green bead in your base cord from right to left, then pass the needle and thread back through the last white bead you just strung.
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15
String three white beads and one green bead. Pass the needle and thread back through the last white bead you just strung.
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16
String three white beads. Pass the needle and thread through the third green bead on the base cord, then pass the needle and thread back through the last white bead you just strung. Repeat the process from step 3 until you reach the end of the base cord.
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17
Tie the thread securely to the second half of the clasp. Pass the needle and thread through the last five beads of the base cord then cut the thread. Thread the tail you left at the beginning through the needle and run it through the first five beads of the base cord. Trim the excess.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Change the colors of seed beads used to match your favorite colors.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit beads as background image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
