Retired - Among the Reeds Necklace

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. First, watch our video on how to do brick stitch bead weaving. Cut a length of Fireline thread as long as you are comfortable working with and thread a size 12 beading needle. Later, you will need to tie off and add more thread as you weave.
2. Begin by weaving a ladder stitch base row comprised of 5 Miyuki 8/0 matte green triangle beads. (Stacked next to one another, the beads will alternate: flat face up, pointy face up. The side with four flat faces and a point in the middle will be the front of your bead weaving, and if you flip over your piece, the back side with three flat faces will measure slightly wider.)
3. Next, watch our video on how to make brick stitch increases and decreases. Based on the technique shown in the video, make a decrease, using 4 Miyuki 10/0 bronze Delica beads to weave the next row. Then make an increase, using 5 green triangle beads to weave the next row. Repeat this pattern 7 more times, so your bead weaving is 17 rows long.
4. Now, use ladder stitch to extend the row of triangle beads on the end by an additional 8 beads, so the row is 13 beads long.
5. You will now weave the pointed bottom of the bead woven piece. With your needle exiting the bottom of the end of the ladder stitched row, make a decrease and brick stitch 4 bronze Delica beads. Then weave back through the previous row of triangle beads until you get to the other end. Make a decrease and brick stitch 4 more Delicas, so there are two identical mini-rows of Delicas on each end. Weave back through your bead work so your needle is exiting the Delica on the outer end.
6. Make a decrease and brick stitch 3 triangle beads. Then use ladder stitch to extend the row by an additional 4 triangle beads, past the space with no Delica beads in the previous row. Then brick stitch 3 more triangle beads, attaching the beads to the mini-row of Delicas at the end of the previous row. This row should have 10 triangle beads in total.
7. Make a decrease and brick stitch 3 bronze Delicas in the next mini-row. Then weave back through the previous row of triangle beads until you get to the other end. Make a decrease and brick stitch another mini-row of 3 Delicas. Weave back through your bead work so your needle is exiting the Delica on the outer end.
8. Make a decrease and brick stitch 2 triangle beads. Then use ladder stitch to extend the row by an additional 4 triangle beads, past the space with no Delica beads in the previous row. Then brick stitch 2 more triangle beads onto the second mini-row of Delicas.
9. Make a decrease and brick stitch 3 Delicas. Then weave back through the previous row of triangle beads until you get to the other end. Make a decrease and brick stitch another mini-row of 3 Delicas. Weave back through your bead work so your needle is exiting the Delica on the outer end.
10. Make a decrease and brick stitch 2 triangle beads. Then use ladder stitch to extend the row by an additional 2 triangle beads. Then brick stitch 2 more triangle beads onto the second mini-row of Delicas.
11. Make a decrease and brick stitch 5 Delica beads across the whole row of triangle beads.
12. Make a decrease and brick stitch 4 triangle beads.
13. Make a decrease and brick stitch 3 Delica beads. Set your bead woven piece aside.
14. Take one Vintaj dragonfly charm and buff the raised areas of the design with the Vintaj relief block.
15. Guide your needle out through the middle Delica bead in the last row. Add two Delica beads to your needle, then slide it through the loop of the dragonfly charm, then add two more Delica beads to your needle. Sew back through the middle Delica of the end row. Reinforce the loop to strengthen it.
16. Sew up through your beadwork so your needle is exiting the last bead in the long row of triangle beads from step 4. Resume the brick stitch pattern in step 3, weaving a second long strip of brick stitch identical to the first side of the necklace.
17. Using flush cutters, cut two 8 inch lengths of chain.
18. Guide your needle through your beadwork so it is exiting the middle triangle bead in the top row of one brick stitch strip. Add two Delica beads to your needle, the first link of one piece of chain, and then two more Delicas. Sew back down through the triangle bead. Reinforce the loop to strengthen it.
19. Repeat step 18 on the other side of the bead woven focal. When you are finished, weave in your thread tails.
20. Open a jump ring and slide it through the last link of chain on one side of the necklace, and also slide on the loop of your clasp. Close the jump ring.
21. Open another jump ring and attach it to the last link of chain on the other side of the necklace. Close the jump ring.
22. Enjoy your necklace!

• DBTR-0024 - Miyuki, Sharp Triangle Beads 8/0, 7.2 Grams, Matte Metallic Patina Iris
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• DBM-0022 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads 10/0 Metallic Bronze DBM0022 8 GR
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-1280 - FireLine Braided Beading Thread, 4lb Test and 0.005 Thick, 15 Yards, Crystal Clear
  Project uses 10 feet. You will need 1 package.


• PND-7088 - Vintaj Natural Brass Round Teensie Dragonfly Charm Beads 9.5mm (2)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• CHA-7170 - Vintaj Natural Brass Chain 4mm x 6.5mm Ladder Chain - Bulk By The Foot
  Project uses 16 inches. You will need 2 packages.


• FJR-5352 - Vintaj Natural Brass Jump Rings 5.25mm Open 18 Gauge (20)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FCL-9048 - Vintaj Natural Brass Classic Lobster Clasp - 15mm (2)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-3006 - Beadsmith English Beading Needles Size 12 (4 Needles)
• XTL-0109 - Beadsmith Extra-Fine Thread Snips - Cuts Textiles, Yarn, And More!
• XTL-2222 - Vintaj Metal Relief Block For Filing, Buffing & Sanding
• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex