Now that you are familiar with the techniques for creating Flat Even count and Flat Odd Count Peyote bead work, there are a few ways the speed up the process.
Fast Peyote is a technique for adding 2 rows of bead work to the base at the same time.
The Multiple Drop methods can also speed up the process by allowing you to add more width to a project using less stitches per row.
Fast Peyote does not change the appearance of the bead work and can be used in both even and odd count flat peyote projects.
The Multiple Drop methods change the appearance of the bead work but you can also use these methods for odd and even count Flat Peyote projects.
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.
Fast Peyote
No matter if you are doing odd or even count flat peyote, you will need the first four rows in place before you can begin this method.
From there you can add two rows at at time using Fast Peyote.
The technique is slightly different for even or odd count, so let’s look at even count fast peyote first.
Even Count Fast Peyote
This is the sequence of beads I picked up for my initial set-up for rows 1 and 2 of my bead work.
I have added rows 3 and 4 to the bead work using traditional peyote stitching and am ready to start fast peyote.
I will pick up this same sequence of beads used in my initial set-up each time I start two rows of fast peyote.
Notice that I did not flip the work after completing Row 4 yet.
I pick up my 8 bead sequence and drop the beads down to the bead work.
I sew down through the top bead of Row 4 and pull the beads snug up against the existing bead work.
Flip the work if you prefer.
Now to stitch the beads in place, sew up on the diagonal through every other bead.
My thread is exiting the top of the bead on row 4, I sew up through the next loose bead or the new sequence, the pink one.
Click the images to enlarge the gallery.
Sew up into the next up bead on the base, the third bead.
Sew up into the fourth loose bead.
Sew up into the 5th bead on the base and so forth until you reach the end of the row.
Repeat picking up beads and stitching them into place to add length to the project.
To count the rows of peyote stitch:
Count the beads on diagonal from bottom left to top right (8) or
Count the beads along the top and bottom edges and add together (8)
Odd Count Fast Peyote
In my example, I have already done 6 rows of odd count Peyote.
My initial set-up of 9 beads is shown on the needle and once again, I will pick up this same sequence to add two rows at a time to my odd count strip.
Once again, I have not yet flipped my work.
The first difference in technique is that in odd count fast peyote, we go under the thread bridge at the top of the bead work instead of passing down through a bead.
Pull the loose beads snug to the bead work just like before.
We will stitch diagonally back and forth between the base and the loose beads to attach the 2 new rows to the base.
Click the images to enlarge the gallery.
Pass down through the first loose bead this time.
Pass down through up bead on the base.(bead 2)
To save time, you can stitch through every other loose bead and base bead at the same time. (3rd loose bead and 4th base bead.)
Continue through the 5th loose bead and the 6th base bead.
Click the images to enlarge the gallery.
Continue in the same manner through the 7th loose bead and 8th bead on base.
Finish the Row by stitching through the 9th loose bead.
You are now in position to pick up the next sequence for 2 more new rows.
Multiple Drop Peyote Methods
In 2 Drop Peyote is stitched just like regular peyote, except that you pick up and pass through 2 beads at a time.
Even Count 2 drop begins by picking up and even number of 2 bead sets for Rows 1 and 2.
- 2 colors of same size Delica Beads
- Stop Bead
- Size 10 or 11 Beading Needle
- 2 – 3 feet beading thread
Click the images to enlarge the gallery.
Thread your needle onto the thread and add a stop bead.
Pick up 2 Color A – 2 Color B – 2 Color A – 2 Color B and drop to the stop bead.
Pick up 2 Color A – Skip over the 2 Color A and Pass the needle through the next 2 Color B.
Pick up 2 Color A – Skip over the 2 Color A and Pass the needle through the next 2 Color B.
You are at the end of the row. Flip the work if you prefer.
Click the images to enlarge the gallery.
Pick up 2 Color B – Pass through the 2 Color A.
Pick up 2 Color B – Pass through the 2 Color A.
You are at the end of the row. Flip the work if you prefer.
Pick up 2 Color A – Pass through the next 2 Color B.
Pick up 2 Color A – Pass through the next 2 Color B.
3 drop Peyote is done exactly the same, by picking up and passing through 3 bead sets each time.
Note the gap between the sets of beads.
This can be used as a design element.
You can do 2 bead, 3 bead, 4 bead or any amount you choose as your segments. The more beads you use, the bigger the gap will be.
Use multiple drop peyote as a design element.
Odd Count Multiple Drop methods begin by picking up an odd number of bead sets for the first two Rows.
You do the turn around exactly the same as before just passing through the sets of beads as if they were one bead.
Now that you are familiar with new ways to speed up your Peyote Projects, it is a great time to introduce you to ways to increase and decrease the size of your work.
In the next post, I will show you how to do these cool techniques and we will talk about Diagonal Peyote.