Mimic fine needlework with peyote stitch

designed by Rebecca Peapples

Staggered rows of two-drop peyote make a striking necklace

Bargello, also called “flame stitch” because its characteristic MATERIALS necklace 20 in. (51cm) zigzag pattern resembles flames, • 23–30 4mm round or drop- is an Italian upholstery and shaped glass, pearl, or gemstone beads needlework stitch from the • Japanese cylinder beads seventeenth century. In this 10g color A 7g color B dramatic neckpiece, Rebecca 7g color C Peapples has gracefully re-created • 3g size 110 Czech seed beads, color A or B the bargello effect using two- • 3g size 150 Japanese seed drop peyote. beads, color C A zigzagging pattern • 10mm bead for clasp of cylinder beads • Nymo B or D, conditioned gives this necklace with beeswax or Thread great shape. Heaven • beading needles, #12

beadandbutton.com | August 2006 69 c the first of the four 150s and the 4mm (c–d). Pick up a 150 a f d b b and an A, and go through the last two As from the previous c f a a step (d–e). (If you’re using top-drilled drop beads, simply pick up an A, a 150, a drop bead, a 150, and g k an A, and go back through the last two As from the previous step.) [4] Work four stitches in two-drop peyote (Basics), using a pair of As, a pair of Bs, a pair of Bs, and a pair of As. On the last stitch, go through the first three beads e picked up in step 2 (e–f).

b Necklace [1] Pick up two As, a 150, d d e an 110, a 150, and two As, and go back through the c first two As just picked up (figure 2, a–b). This sequence FIGURE 1 will be referred to as a h j long turn. [2] Work four stitches in e FIGURE 4 two-drop peyote using the same A, B, B, A sequence used in step 4 of “Getting i stepbystep started” (b–c). a b Getting started [3] Pick up a 150, an 110, [1] Thread a needle on a and a 150, and go back 2–4-yd. (1.8–3.7m) length of through the last two As conditioned Nymo, and, added in the previous step leaving a 1–2-yd. (.9–1.8m) (c–d). This sequence will be tail, attach a stop bead referred to as a short turn. (Basics, p. 140). [4] Work four stitches in [2] Pick up a 150 seed bead, two-drop peyote using the A, an 110, a 150, four color A B, B, A sequence. After cylinder beads, eight color picking up the last two As, B cylinders, and four As go through the second pair of (figure 1, a–b). As from the long turn (d–e). d [3] Pick up an A, a 150, a [5] Repeat steps 1–4 three 4mm round bead, and four times. FIGURE 3 150s (b–c). Go back through [6] Pick up three As, a 150,

c EDITOR’S NOTE: The bargello effect is created by using a gradation of three to five colors. Rebecca varies the look of her necklaces by changing her cylinder-bead color selection. In the red necklace (opposite) she used three colors, as in the instructions. In the brown necklace (p. 68, bottom) she used a fourth color and arranged them from lightest on top to darkest on bottom with two midrange colors alternating in the center. FIGURE 2

70 Bead&Button | beadandbutton.com an 110, a 150, and an A through the beadwork to exit (figure 3, a–b), and go the top of the 110 used in the through the first two As first long turn of the first side just picked up (b–c). This (b–c). Pick up an 110, and sequence will be referred sew into the 110 and 150 of to as an apex unit. the first long turn made in [7] Work four stitches in this step (c–d). Retrace the two-drop peyote, using the A, thread path a few times, zig- B, B, A sequence (c–d). Make zag back to where you left a long turn (d–e), and work off, and resume stitching. four two-drop stitches using the A, B, B, A sequence (e–f). Clasp [8] Work a short turn (f–g), [1] Exit an A near the then work four two-drop top of either end. Pick stitches using the A, B, B, A up two 150s, an 110, sequence (g–h). the clasp bead, and an [9] Pick up three As, a 150, a 110. Go back through 4mm, and four 150s (h–i). Go the clasp bead and back through the first of the the first 110 picked four 150s and the 4mm, pick up. Pick up two up a 150 and an A, and go 150s, and sew into back through the first two As the A adjacent to picked up in this step (i–j). the one your thread This sequence will be is exiting. Retrace referred to as a drop unit. the thread path a [10] Work four stitches few times. Secure the in two-drop peyote, but tail in the beadwork substitute color C cylinders with a few half-hitch for the Bs (j–k). Repeat steps knots (Basics) between 1–9 using Cs instead of Bs. beads, and trim. After making the next drop [2] Use the tail on the unit, switch back to using Bs. other end to make a loop. Continue working in this Pick up three 150s, an 110, pattern, alternating Bs and and enough 150s to fit Cs, until the first half of your around the clasp bead. necklace is the desired length. Go back through the 110 End with an apex unit, and (photo a). Pick up three 150s, embellish the edge with short- and sew into the A adjacent turn bead groups, if desired. to the one your thread is [11] To make the other half, exiting (photo b). Retrace the flip your work, and remove thread path, secure the tail, the stop bead. Thread a and trim. w needle on the tail, and repeat steps 1–10. After stitching Contact Rebecca Peapples two rows (figure 4, a–b), you via email at rspeapples@ may want to reinforce the aol.com. center point. To do so, weave

[ a ] [ b ]

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