Retired - Ladybug Daisy Chain 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. If you are new to brick stitch, please watch the video: How to do Brick Stitch Bead Weaving. You'll be following the bead weaving pattern shown in the photo, starting on one side of the ladybug's body and weaving toward the other side.
2. Based on the technique shown in the video, cut a length of thread as long as you are comfortable working with (you will need 6 feet to complete the body and legs of your ladybug) and begin by weaving a ladder stitch base row using red beads (the bottom row of the pattern). Be sure to leave yourself a thread tail of at least 10 inches.
3. As you stitch the ladybug, you will need to make brick stitch increases and decreases according to the pattern. Keep your needle and thread attached to complete the following three steps for adding legs to your ladybug.
4. To make your ladybug's legs: Exit your needle through one end bead on your final row of brick stitch. String on two black beads, and weave them together using ladder stitch. Then send your needle back through the next bead over on your brick stitch row.
5. Sew your needle up through the third bead in your brick stitch row, and repeat the process described in the above step to ladder stitch your next leg. Continue this process to make the third leg. Tie off and weave in your thread tails.
6. Thread your needle back onto the tail at the beginning of your brick stitch, and repeat the previous two steps to create three legs on the opposite side of your ladybug's body.
7. To make your necklace: start by watching this video describing how to bead weave a daisy chain. Note: For this design, you will be using ten Delica 11/0 seed beads for each flower, with a 3mm Austrian Crystal pearl as the center bead.
8. Cut 5 feet of thread and follow along with the video to create 7.5 inches of daisy chain bead weaving. Note: be sure to leave a thread tail of at least 6 inches to attach your chain extender, as described in step 11. Weave each daisy using the technique shown in the video, in this case stringing your needle through the sixth white seed bead of your flower. Then string on ten green seed beads between each daisy (see photo for reference).
9. At the center of your necklace, string on the outermost two black seed beads on the head of your brick stitch ladybug, with one green bead in between (see photo for reference). Then continue the pattern shown in the photo to weave 7.5 inches of daisy chain on the other side of your necklace. Keep your needle and thread attached to complete the following step.
10. To attach your clasp: String your needle through a thread protector. Onto the thread protector, slide the loop of your clasp, then continue stringing your needle down through your bead work. Note: Reinforce the clasp attachment by stringing your needle around the perimeter of your final daisy, then up through the thread protector again. Tie off and weave in your thread.
11. Now thread your needle back onto the tail at the beginning of your daisy chain. Repeat the above step to attach and reinforce your chain extender on this side of your necklace by sliding the end link of the chain extender onto the thread protector. Tie off and weave in your thread. All done!

• DB-010 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads, 11/0 Size, 7.2 Grams, Black Opaque DB010
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• DB-791 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads, 11/0 Size, 7.2 Grams, Opaque Red Dyed DB791
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• DB-MIX03 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads, 11/0 Size, 7.2 Grams, Mix Ever Green
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• DB-1490 - Miyuki Delica Seed Beads, 11/0 Size, 7.2 Gram Tube, #1490 Opaque Bisque White
  Project uses 1 tube. You will need 1 package.


• SWP-3052 - Austrian Crystal, #5810 Round Faux Pearl Beads 3mm, 50 Pieces, Bright Gold
  Project uses 20 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FCR-4140 - Wire & Thread Protectors Protector Loops Silver Color (144)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FCR-9010 - Necklace Chain Extender, Curb Links with Drop 2 Inches, 10 Pieces, Silver Plated
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• FCL-4715 - Silver Plated Curved Lobster Clasps 12mm (6)
  Project uses 1 piece. You will need 1 package.


• XCR-1285 - FireLine Braided Beading Thread, 4lb Test and 0.005 Thick, 15 Yards, Smoke Gray
  Project uses 11 feet. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-0373 - Tulip Premium Scissors, Gold Handle 5 Inch, 1 Pair
• XTL-3006 - Beadsmith English Beading Needles Size 12 (4 Needles)