How to Make Jewelry Crochet With Seed Bead Rope
Seed bead rope is used to decorate clothing, enhance craft items and the basic strand for many jewelry items. Charming bracelets and necklaces are possible with homemade seed bead rope. The length of a bracelet and/or necklace is determined by the individual crocheting the seed bead rope. The seed beads are strung on the thread prior to beginning the project so it is important to have enough seed beads on hand. Beginners to seed bead rope creation should use six different colored beads strung in the same pattern to help mark the rows of crochet.
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Things You'll Need
- 6 colors 8/0 opaque seed beads - 70 seed beads per color
- Beading needle
- Size 10 (1 mm) crochet hook
- White thread
- Scissors
- Elastic beading thread
- 5 large beads with 8/0 opening.
Instructions
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1
Thread the beading needle with the end of the white thread while it is still attached to the spool. The crocheting is done by placing a seed bead in each stitch.
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2
Thread 420 seed beads on white thread in a predetermined order. For example, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Thread the seed beads in the same order.
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3
Remove the beading needle from the thread. Tie a slip knot in the thread 3-inches from the end. A slip knot is made by looping the thread over itself three inches from the end. Reach through the loop and pinch the long thread between your thumb and forefinger. Bring the long thread through the loop creating a second loop. Pull the tail of the first loop tight to secure the second loop in place. Note: Be careful to not let any of the beads fall off the thread during this process.
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4
Slide a bead up the thread close to the crochet hook. Loop the thread over the top of the hook. Pull the back loop over the loop under the hook. Repeat this process for a total of six loops and six seed beads. This is called a chain stitch.
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5
Insert the end of the crochet hook into the first loop stitched. Loop the thread over the hook. Do not place a bead in this loop. Pull the back loop over the first loop. This is known as a slip stitch.
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6
Position the seed beads in the first row so a thread loop is on top. Insert the end of the crochet hook through the thread loop on the first bead. Push a seed bead close to the crochet hook. Wrap the thread around the crochet hook. Pull the back thread over the front thread. Repeat the process in the next five loops. Slip stitch the row together by placing the end of the crochet hook in the first stitch made on the second row.
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7
Repeat Step 6 until all beads are used. Slip stitch the last bead to the first bead in that row. Cut the thread three inches from the crochet hook. Wrap the thread around the crochet hook and pull it through the last stitch. There is no bead in this stitch. Continue pulling the thread through the stitch. Pull tightly. This is the knot that finishes the seed bead rope.
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8
Insert the two tails of thread into the seed bead rope's center. The center area is like a tube. This hides the thread and prevents the ends from raveling.
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9
Measure and cut a piece of elastic beading thread 18-inches long. Insert the end of the through in one end of the seed bead rope. Feed the elastic beading thread through the tube. Pull the end when it appears on the opposite end of the seed bead rope so half of the length extends from either side of the bracelet.
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10
Thread the five larger beads with an 8/0 opening onto the elastic beading thread. Match the to ends of the beading thread. Tie the two ends together so they are flush with the last large bead. Cut any excess thread from the bracelet.
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11
Stretch the seed bead rope bracelet approximately 1/2-inch so the elastic thread is easily seen between the large beads. Locate the knot. Slide the elastic beading thread into the seed bead rope tube.
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Tips & Warnings
Vary the color of the seed beads and the length of the bracelet. The same crocheting process is used to create seed bead rope necklaces.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
