The right-angle weave is a really fun technique where you don’t place the beads tightly together. The beads do fit snugly against each other, but there’s still space between them.
The beads are actually placed at right angles to each other.
Instructions:
Step 1)
To begin, string four beads. Now, string them again in the same direction through beads 1, 2, and 3. Pull the thread all the way tight. This will create a circle around the beads.
This is the base of your stringing, to which you’ll add the rest.
Step 2)
To widen your work, string on three more beads (beads 5, 6, and 7). Now, using your needle and thread, thread through bead 3, then through beads 5 and 6.
This will secure the beads you just strung on to your work and put you back in the right place to add the next beads.
Step 3)
Next, string the next three beads (beads 8, 9, and 10). To secure these, thread them through bead 6, then through beads 8 and 9 again.
After this, repeat steps 2 and 3 until you reach the desired length of your project.
With each step of three beads you add, work alternately clockwise and counterclockwise:
When your needle and thread reach the bottom of the bead, work in a circle from right to left.
And when your needle and thread reach the top of the bead, work in a circle from left to right.
Step 4)
Now add another stitch of beads and finish by stringing from bead 13. You’ll end from the left side of the bead and will continue in this direction (clockwise).
Now we’ll add a row on top of your work. The top beads of your previous row will now become the bottom beads of this row.
For this row, you’ll also attach your beads alternating clockwise and counterclockwise.
You’ll string through these beads again to secure the beads of the next row.
Step 5)
Thread beads 14, 15, and 16. Then secure these beads by threading them through beads 13 and 14 again.
Exit the top of the bead and continue counterclockwise from there.
Step 6)
Next, string beads 17 and 18. Secure these to your work by threading them through beads 8, 14, 17, 18, and 7.
You’ll come out of bead 7 on the left, so the next step is to go clockwise again, ending at the top of bead 19.
When you reach the end of this row, repeat the steps to add a new row, but this one will be mirrored, as it’s on the other side.
TIPS, TRICKS & VARIATION:
- Ensure even thread tension and square corners to make your work look as neat as possible.
- It’s better to use Fireline thread instead of stringing thread. The tighter you string it, the better the beads will stay in place.
- When rethreading, thread through the beads one by one, pulling each bead tightly. Threading through multiple beads at once often causes the beads to fall out of place.
- Always work in rows from left to right and vice versa to get the correct right angles.
- You can also combine different beads. (In the photo above, Czech faceted beads are combined with seed beads.) You can also string spacers and O beads between your beads.