How to Bead on a Round Loom
Different beading stitches, such as the peyote stitch, are often implemented to bead on round looms, referred to as tube looms. The beads are stitched around the cylinder base forming the round shape for a variety of jewelry-making projects such as dangling hoop earrings. Subsequent beaded rows are connected to the round base row using the peyote stitch, creating the circular design as well as increasing the beadwork's width on the round loom. According to Stephanie Burnham in "Beading Basics," "Beginners may find it helpful to use a cylinder made of transparent material so that the work can be seen clearly."
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Instructions
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1
String an even number of cylinder-shaped beads onto your threaded beading needle, leaving a 3-inch tail at each end. Make sure you are working with beading thread to ensure strong peyote stitches between each row. Using cylinder-shaped beads ensures all beads sit snugly next to each other as you continue to add subsequent rows. Another alternative is to use contrasting beads to form a pattern.
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2
Position the beaded row around the tube loom. Overlap one tail end over the other tail end and pull it through. Form a loop with the two ends and pull one end through. Leave a gap the size of your cylinder bead between the first and last bead and pull the ends to form a knot. For instance, if you started stringing beads from your left side, the bead on the left tail is the first bead. The right tail has the last bead.
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3
Form a second loop with the tail ends and pull one end through. Make a second knot to secure the base row on your tube loom in place. Keep in mind the gap between the first and last bead is visible.
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4
Thread your beading needle again with a minimum of 1 yard of thread. Pass the threaded needle through the first bead's looping hole and pass it back through. The first bead will have a double thread through it to anchor the subsequent circular beaded rows.
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5
Pick up a bead with the needle and place it in between the gap on the base row. Make sure it is stacked evenly in between the first and last bead from Step 2. Pass the needle through the last bead.
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6
Pick up another bead with your needle and stack it on top of the base row to start the second row. This is the first bead for your second row. Make sure the bead is sitting slightly off center of the first row bead. This will form an alternating pattern with your subsequent beaded rows.
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7
Continue to string your beads until you complete the second row around your tube loom.
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8
Connect the beaded ends by passing the needle through the second row's first bead from Step 6.
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9
Pass the needle back through the first bead on your second row as well as through the last bead on the second row to lock the beads in place.
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10
Pick up a bead to start the third row. Make sure it is sitting parallel to the first row's first bead, starting the alternating pattern.
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11
Repeat Steps 6 through 10 until you have beaded your desired round loom beadwork.
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12
Close your beadwork when you reach your desired width by passing the needle through the first bead on the last row. Pass the thread back through the first and last bead. As an option, pass it back and forth several times to lock your peyote stitch beadwork in place.
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13
Cut away the excess tails with your scissors. Slide your completed beadwork gently off your tube loom.
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Tips & Warnings
Thread your needle with more than one yard to create multiple beaded rows. The wider your tube loom, the more thread is needed to complete the circular beaded row. Keep in mind that you must make several passes to lock the rows in place, which also requires more thread.
The peyote stitch can also be worked on other size round objects, such as a dowel. Eco-crafts often use empty toilet-paper rolls as a round loom base.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit working with beads image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
