Circular netting is one of those go-to stitches that you can use in an endless number of projects.
Understanding the basics of the stitch and learning to incorporate it into your designs will lead to beautiful and satisfying bead work.
So let’s take a closer look at Circular Netting.
Circular Netting is a variation of Flat Netting Stitch, that is stitched in a round. Each row radiates out from a center circle of of beads. It is very similar to Circular Peyote stitch in that you have to add an increasing number of beads in each row, to keep the work flat.
If you haven’t read the Intro, you may want to start there. I described netting stitch and it’s many variations. This lesson builds upon the previous lessons in the Netting portion of Bead Weaving 101.
Flat Netting Basics is a great place to start with understanding the basic stitch structures that we are going to use today.
Tools and Materials
In flat netting, a Stop Bead is required to hold the initial row in place on the thread and also helps with keeping the correct tension as the work grows.
For Circular Netting, you don’t necessarily need to use a stop bead. If you struggle with keeping your tension uniform you can optionally use a stop bead for circular or tubular work as well.
Check out this Post if you need a refresher or have not used a stop bead before.
Getting Started with Circular Netting
Here is the sample I will be demonstrating for you today.
Circular netting begins with an initial ring of seed beads for the first row.
Each consecutive round will add segments of beads that increase in number so that the finished piece of bead work lays flat.
As with flat netting, each segment will include a crossover bead in the center of the segment. The number of beads in each segment will increase, by two beads each round. One on each side of the crossover bead.
To Begin
Pick up ten 11/0 Aqua beads and carry them down, leaving a few inches of tail thread.
Pass through all the beads again from bottom to top and pull the beads into a circle.
Pass through the very first bead once more to close the circle of beads.
You can tie a knot before you pass through the first bead again. I recommend stepping outside the comfort zone of using knots, to learn how to maintain the proper tension when beading. If you have trouble maintaining tension, add a stop bead to the tail thread.
Round 2
For the next round:
- Pick 3 11/0 Hyacinth Beads
- Skip one bead on the base and pass through the next bead
- Repeat these steps four more times to complete the round.
To step up into the next round:
Sew up through two of the hyacinth beads in the first segment added in round 2.
Check the positioning of the segments, to make sure the middle bead of each segment creates a point. Keep your tension even so the bead work continues to lay flat.
Round 3
In round three we need to increase the number of beads per segment so the bead work increases in size while still remaining flat.
- Pick 5 Aqua beads
- Sew through the center bead of the next segment
- Repeat these steps to the end of the round.
As you add the last segment, you can step up at the same time.
Pick up the five beads
Sew through the center hyacinth bead of the first segment plus the first the first three Aqua beads adding in this round.
Check the positioning of the beads from this round before continuing.
The tension should be even so that the work does not bow upwards.
From here you will continue to increase each row by adding two more beads, one on either side of the center seed bead in the new segments.
Understanding these basic steps will build a strong foundation for working with circular netting.
Understanding the thread path will help you incorporate the wonderful open and lacy feel of this technique into your beaded designs.
Up Next
In the next post of the Bead Weaving 101 series, we will wrap up our exploration of Netting Stitch with a step by step guide to Tubular Netting.
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