Peyote Linked Squares Bracelet

Capture diamondlike sparkle with this peyote-stitched link bracelet. Metallic Delica seed beads plus Swarovski® crystal equals big-time glitter.

Materials
-12 grams Metallic green Delica beads
-2 Moss green rocailles
-2 Bugle beads,
-1/2in 7 Sahara Swarovski® squares,
-20mm 2 Olivine Swarovski® bicones,
-4mm 1 Beading needle, #10
-1 Big-eye needle
-1 spool Brown Nymo® thread,
-D Wax Scissors Chain-nose pliers

STEP 1

Cut a 2 yard length of Nymo®
Thread on 6 green Delicas; bring them to the end of the thread, leaving a 12" tail, which will be used later
The 6 beads will be considered the first row for the instructions, but really only complete half ofyour first row as peyote takes two back-and-forth passes to complete one full row.

STEP 2
Begin the next half.
Pick up a Delica and pass the needle through the next-to-last bead (5th) strung in the first row
Pull the thread so the new bead and the 6th bead in the first row are stacked on top of each other
Pick up another Delica, skip the 4th bead strung in the first row, and pass the thread through the 3rd bead in the first row
Pull the thread so the new bead and the 4th bead in the first row are stacked

Pick up another Delica, skip the 2nd bead strung in the first row, and pass the needle through the 1st bead in the first row
Pull the thread so the new bead and the 2nd bead from the first row are stacked. Notice the zig-zag pattern developing, with some beads "popped up" and some not

STEP 3
I find it helpful to rotate my work so I'm adding rows in the same direction each time; do what's most comfortable for you.
Pick up a Delica and pass the needle through the first bead that is "popped" up
Pull the thread so the new bead sits in place, stacked on the end bead in the previous row
Pick up a Delica and pass the needle through the next popped-up bead
Repeat one more time, adding a bead between each popped-up beadRepeat this pattern until you have 30 complete rows. You can keep track by counting the beads along the edge of the developing strip of beads. Each side should have 30.

STEP 4

I like to add a picot-edge to my strip, but only in the places where the strip doesn't meet the diamond -- this helps keep the strip from spinning once all the diamonds are linked; this is optional.


Weave your needle by zig-zagging through beads, until it exits the third bead from the end (either side)
Pick up three Delicas
Pass the needle down the next bead in the strip (4th) and back up the 5th
Pick up three Delicas, pass the needle down the next bead then up the 7th, that completes 2 picots
Repeat to complete 6 picots

STEP 5

Weave your needle so it exits the 4th bead over from your last picot (18th in the row), leaving three beads without any picot in the center of the strip
Repeat Step 4 to complete 6 more picot

STEP 6

Weave your thread to exit the 2nd bead on the other edge of the Strip
Repeat Step 5 than 4 to mirror the picot edging on the other edge of the strip

STEP 7

You're ready to link the first two diamonds. Place two diamonds onto the strip so they face back to back

STEP 8

Match the ends of the strip together. Using the thread still remaining, or the tail thread, weave the strip together. You'll notice they're in a zig-zag pattern, just like the peyote had when you were weaving the strip. Weave your thread in and out of the beads, "zipping" the ends together

STEP 9

Weave the thread end into the beadwork, zig-zagging, working around and around the beads until the thread is secure; trim any excess.If you find any places the needle is having a hard time passing through, either work in a different direction or carefully pull the needle with pliers.

STEP 10
Repeat Step 9 for the other thread end. Open the diamonds so they sit right-side up; position the areas without picot to be on the insides of the diamonds.

STEP 11

Repeat Steps 1-10 until you've linked enough diamonds together to equal a bracelet, minus the 3/4" the toggle will add later.

STEP 12

Repeat Step 1-3 to create a strip that is 14 rows long. Wrap the strip around one side of the diamond on one end of the bracelet. Repeat Steps 8 to close the strip around the diamond

STEP 13

Weave the thread into the beadwork, finding an area that doesn't have a lot of thread in the beads already. Weave until your needle exits the fourth bead in one row in the strip.

STEP 14

Pick up two Delicas. Pass the needle into the third bead in the row then back out the fourth, making a path like a circle. Pass the needle back through the two new beads. Pick up two Delicas. Pass the needle back through the first two Delicas added in this step. Continue the circle pattern, passing the needle back through the two beads just added. Repeat until you've created a two-bead ladder, that is five rows long. Set the bracelet aside.

STEP 15
Time to create the toggle. Repeat Step 1-3, but create a strip of beads that is 18 beads wide and 6 rows high.

STEP 16


Place the two bugle beads on the strip, end to end, spanning the width of the strip. Repeat Step 8 to sew this strip together, making a tube. Weave your thread so it exits one end bead. Remove the needle and replace with the Big Eye needle

STEP 17



Pass the needle down the tube, passing through the bugle beads
Pick up a 4mm crystal and one size 15 seed bead
Pass the needle back through the crystal, without passing through the size 15 seed bead again
The needle will exit the other end of the tube; pull the thread so the crystal sits in the tube

STEP 18

Repeat Step 17 so each end of the tube is accented with a crystal
Continue to pass the needle back and forth through the crystals and seed beads to secure, working until it gets too tight
Carefully weave the needle into the beadwork in the tube
Weave in a zig-zag pattern to end the thread; trim any excess
Weave the other end of the thread into the beadwork as well; trim any excess

STEP 19

Pick up the bracelet
Using the needle on the end of the ladder-stitch beadwork, weave the thread through two center beads, of one row in the toggle, choosing and area that isn't already filled with thread
Pass the needle back through the last two beads added in the ladder, back through the two beads in the toggle and back down the ladder, weaving back and forth, then back into the peyote strip on the diamond
The beads will begin to get filled with thread at this point -- be very careful pulling your needle through as the beads will break if forced. You can use a pair of chain-nose pliers if needed
Weave the thread ends into the bead work; trim any excess.