Welcome back to Bead Weaving 101
For the last few weeks, we have been working on mastering our skills in the Peyote Stitch technique. So far we have really covered a lot of ground.
Now that we have a grip on Tubular Peyote basics, we can step it up and learn about Spirals.
- Flat Peyote Basics – Even & Odd Count
- Fast Peyote
- Diagonal Peyote – Increasing and Decreasing
- Stitch in the Ditch
- Circular Peyote
- Tubular Peyote Basics
If you need additional help with Flat Peyote, I have the Bead Weaving Basics – Flat Peyote Stitch PDF – 3 Techniques – Even Count, Odd Count and Circular Peyote.
available for a few dollars in The Alluring Bead Boutique Shop. Check out all my Technique Guides, with Step by Step photos and written instructions.
There are many ways to create interest, texture and layers to our Peyote beadwork. In the last post, I demonstrated the basics of tubular peyote using different colors of the same size seed beads.
By doing this, the work became spiraled in appearance. But you can also change the size and shape of the beads you use to create beautiful spiral effects. Another method we are going to examine today alters the thread path from traditional peyote stitching to create a loose looping effect in a spiral.
The methods I am talking about are the Cellini Spiral and the Dutch Spiral.
Today, I am going to focus on the Cellini Spiral technique.
Cellini spiral stitch is a variation of tubular peyote stitch that uses graduated bead sizes to form a unique spiral shape.
The variations of this method are nearly limitless.
As you can see by a simple Google search result, the look of the Cellini Spiral is easily manipulated to create endless designs.
The Cellini Spiral
Tools and Materials in this Demo
- 15/0 Toho Seed Beads – 1 color
- 11/0 Toho Seed Beads – 2 color
- 10/0 Hex Cut Delica Beads – 1 color
- 8/0 Toho Seed Beads – 1 color
- 3 ft. – 6lb. Fireline Beading Thread Black Satin
- 1 – Size 10 Beading Needle
The Cellini spiral technique can be used with many different sizes and shapes of beads, but for learning purposes, I recommend that you keep it simple.
If you do not have the beads listed below you can substitute an 8/0 bead for the hex cut delicas and add a 6/0 bead to the list.
Although I did not use one in the demo, a Stop Bead can be very helpful when learning this technique.
You can also use knots to tie your beads into a loop, but since we are using 15/0 beads, it can be harder to complete the 3rd row of stitching.
Step One
Pick up the beads for Rows 1 and 2 as with traditional Peyote, in this order:
- 2 – 15/0
- 2 – Color A 11/0
- 2 – 10/0 Hex Cut Delica
- 2 Color B 11/0
- 2 – 8/0
- 2 – Color B 11/0
- 2 – 10/0 Hex Cut Delica
Pass through the beads again and through the first two 15/0 beads to close the bead work.
Now we will be simply do traditional tubular peyote stitch by picking up the same bead as the bead we are exiting.
At the end of the round, we will need to do a step up each time.
Get into position and close the bead work by pass through the first two 15/0.
Pick up a 15/0.
Skip over the next 11/0 and pass through the second one.
Pick up a Color A 11/0.
Skip over the next Delica and pass through the next one
Pick a Delica.
Skip over the next 11/0 and pass through the next
Click any Image to enlarge the Gallery
Pick up Color B 11/0.
Skip over the next 8/0 and pass through the next one.
Pick up a 8/0.
Skip over the next 11/0 and pass through the second one.
Pick up a Color B 11/0.
Skip over the next Delica and pass through the next one
Pick a Delica.
Skip over the next 15/0 and pass through the next one plus the first one added in this round.
Click any Image to enlarge the Gallery
From here, it is all repetition of the last seven steps above.
As your work increases, you may find it easier to see the up bead by turning the work over in your non-dominant hand.
Simply keep adding the rows,making sure to hit the up beads and by remembering to do the step up at the end of each row.
You will know you are at the end each time you pass into the 15/0 beads.
Notice how the beads stack on the diagonal line. This is the look you are going for.
Keep your tension firm and even as your work.
You may find it helpful to pull upwards when stitching the Color B 11/0’s to get them to line up properly on either side of the larger 8/0.
There is a technique for reversing the direction of the spiral, but I plan to cover that at a later time. If you are in a hurry, just head over to YouTube and do a search for reversing a Cellini spiral.
When you move on to experimenting with your own bead choices, it is important to remember the bead sizes should gradually go up in size and then reverse in order on the other side of your largest bead.
As I mentioned earlier, there is another peyote spiral method which alters the thread path from traditional peyote stitching to create a loose looping effect in a spiral. A good example of this is the Dutch Spiral.
We will take a look at the Dutch Spiral in the next post.
We have come to the end of today’s post on using Tubular Peyote to create the Cellini spiral. I hope you found something useful and interesting.
Have fun practicing this technique and experimenting with various beads in your stash.
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