Hello and welcome back to Bead Weaving 101.
Currently, in the series, we are working on the forms and variations of Herringbone Stitch.
In the last post, we worked through the basics of Odd Count Flat Herringbone, by working the Odd column at the edge of the bead work.
Today, I will show you how to work the odd column in the middle of the row.
The odd count herringbone technique is one I have newly discovered in my exploration of the 2019 Bead Stitching Handbook by Bead & Button.
The links in this post, are my affiliate links to related products on Amazon. I make a very small commision when you use the links to purchase these products.
As a bonus, this tutorial continues to demonstrate how you can add lines of color pattern to a Flat Herringbone project.
The last time, we used two colors and this time I am uping the variety to six colors.
It really is a very simple process when you want to add straight lines of color to the bead work.
You simply pick up the same color bead that your working thread is exiting first. The second bead is the color of the next bead you are going into.
This rule also applies to odd count technique as demonstrated below.
Tools and Materials
Odd count techniques, gives you more creative ways to add patterns to your bead work. As you can see in my sample, I am able to create a center line of color in the middle of the piece.
2 -6 colors – 11/0 or 8/0 Seed Beads
4 feet of Beading Thread
Size 10 or smaller Beading Needle
Scissors or Thread Burner
If you still have your sample from the Part 1 of Odd Count Herringbone, feel free to use that if you like.
I made a new sample, when I was toying around for a new project concept.
The goal is to have a base of bead work that has an odd number of columns.
The Ladder Base
In this tutorial, I decided to use the 2 bead high Ladder for my base. Check out Ladder Stitch Basics to get started.
I used 6 colors to create the two bead columns in this order:
Color A – Color B – Color C – Color D – Color E – Color F – Color E – Color D – Color C – Color B – Color A
In this tutorial, I will use the fifth column as my odd column.
You can choose any odd numbered column on the inside of the bead work.
Odd Count Herringbone - The Odd Rows
For the first two stitches, pick up the color you are exiting and the color you are entering.
Pass down through the top bead on the next column.
Step up into the top bead of the next column before you pick up the next set of beads.
After the last step up, your working thread should be exiting the fifth column.
Pick up one bead of the same color as your fifth column on the base.
Pass back down the same bead you are exiting
Step up into the top bead of the next column as you normally would.
For the remainder of the row, pick up the color bead you are exiting and the color bead you are entering.
Pass down the top bead of the next column. Then step up into the top bead on the next column.
After adding the last set of beads, we need to do the turn around.
In this sample, as I added the last set of beads, I passed down through both beads on the base.
To turn around, reverse direction and pass the needle up through the bead next to the one your thread is exiting.
Reversing direction again, pass the needle up through the top two beads on the edge of the bead work.
We are now in position to begin the next row.
Odd Count Herringbone - The Even Rows
I like to flip the bead work around so that I can continue to sew in the same direction.
That is a personal choice and you can certainly choose to sew back in the opposite direction if you prefer.
Repeat the same steps above for the first three stitches.
Pick up the color you are exiting and the color you are entering. Pass down through the top bead on the next column.
In the even rows, we will be working the same column as the odd count column.
So you will take a third normal herringbone stitch on columns five and six.
Step up into the odd column as you normally would.
Pick up the color bead you are using for the odd column and pass back down through the same bead you are exiting.
Step up through the top bead of the next column
Revert back to taking the last two stitches as normal.
Pick up the color you are exiting and the color you are entering. Pass down through the top bead on the next column.
Once again, as I added the last set of beads, I passed down through the top two beads on the base.
To turn around, reverse direction and pass the needle up through the bead next to the one your thread is exiting.
Reversing direction again, pass the needle up through the top two beads on the edge of the bead work.
We are now in position to begin the next row.
Repeat the steps for the Odd Numbered Rows.
Repeat the steps for the Even Numbered Rows.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and have lots of new ideas for creating your bead work with lovely colorful patterns and using the odd count method for creating a center line in your projects.
In the next post….
we will look at accelerating flat herringbone stitch and discuss the changes to the thread path and bead work.
