| This repeating ladder stitch works up beautifully with matching seeds and bugles. The textural differences between the two types of beads creates an elegant bracelet whether you make a thin cuff or a wide one. Using two similar tones of color (like a pale lavender and a pale blue, or silver and gold, etc) makes the bracelet even more striking. Try matte with gloss, transparent with opaque- the possibilities are endless! See another example HERE. |
Prerequisite stitch knowledge- brick stitch, ladder stitch, adding thread (weaving in ends, no knots
on this project)
Supplies:
on this project)
Supplies:
- Beading thread (I used Nymo D, whatever you use must be able to make multiple passes
through your beads) - Bugle beads of desired length (about 100-130 beads depending on finished size)
- Seed beads (either 3-4x as many as bugles, depending on how many seeds it takes to match
the length of the bugles- some discrepancy is okay, as the rows will balance out in the
finished bracelet.) - Box-tab Clasps (1 for the 3 square wide pattern, 2 for 5 squares wide, and 3 for 7 squares
wide (not shown)) Clasp choice is variable :) - Jump rings OR spring rings to attach the clasp(s) (round nose pliers for jump rings)
- thread conditioner (optional)
| Let's get started! |
- To begin, cut a comfortable, workable length of thread off your spool (2-4 yards.) You
will probably have to add in thread later. Condition your thread as needed. - Leaving a 2 foot tail, begin your foundation/base row of ladder stitch. (figures 1-4) The
ladder's "rungs" shown on the first row are 4 seeds x 3, bugles x 3, and 4 seeds x 3.
3. Your base row should look like this (figure 5). Always use an odd number of 'squares'
(seed or bugle groups) across for the thread path to work. Your thread should come back
out the top of your base row with the tail at the bottom-
(seed or bugle groups) across for the thread path to work. Your thread should come back
out the top of your base row with the tail at the bottom-
| note: one continuous thread is used, the color changes are to show each stage of work as the thread backtracks. Foundation row is red, first pass is blue, second is green. The blue and green stages repeat till your bracelet is the desired length. |
4. Now you will string two bugles and
go back through your base row (figure
6)
go back through your base row (figure
6)
5. Come back up through the base and string a bugle
and four seeds (figure 7)
and four seeds (figure 7)
6. Continue on across in this manner (figure 8) making a single
pass through the new row and anchoring it to the base row.
Thread path is shown in blue. The final column only has one
bugle and will not anchor to anything yet.
pass through the new row and anchoring it to the base row.
Thread path is shown in blue. The final column only has one
bugle and will not anchor to anything yet.
7. Now you will secure the second row of ladder stitch. Snake
the thread back through ONLY the second (working) row,
following the path as shown in green (figure 9).
8. Each row will be a repeat of steps 4-7, alternating seeds
and bugles. Each new row will anchor to the prior row only.
Continue until the bracelet is the desired length (keep in mind
your clasp and ends will add approximately 1 1/2" to the
bracelet.)
the thread back through ONLY the second (working) row,
following the path as shown in green (figure 9).
8. Each row will be a repeat of steps 4-7, alternating seeds
and bugles. Each new row will anchor to the prior row only.
Continue until the bracelet is the desired length (keep in mind
your clasp and ends will add approximately 1 1/2" to the
bracelet.)
9. Finish off each end by working two rows of a tapering brick stitch (similar to pyramid
earrings.) You may vary the number of rows depending on your clasp arrangement.
10. Attach spring rings or jump rings to your clasp(s.)
11. Make 2 loops of 6 beads on the final row as shown (figure 10.) (Use four loops for the 5
square wide cuff, six loops for the 7 wide.) As you string the beads, run the thread through your
jump/spring rings also. Make several passes through these loops to add strength. Pull the bead
loops snug and weave in your ends securely and trim close to your work.
12. Wear and enjoy the compliments!
earrings.) You may vary the number of rows depending on your clasp arrangement.
10. Attach spring rings or jump rings to your clasp(s.)
11. Make 2 loops of 6 beads on the final row as shown (figure 10.) (Use four loops for the 5
square wide cuff, six loops for the 7 wide.) As you string the beads, run the thread through your
jump/spring rings also. Make several passes through these loops to add strength. Pull the bead
loops snug and weave in your ends securely and trim close to your work.
12. Wear and enjoy the compliments!
| Want to try a few color combinations? I have some suggestions here: Patterns! Want to try your own colors? I have graphs for 3, 5, and 7 wide bracelets. Note that these are not for the full length of the bracelet, so you may have to use two graphs. Feel free to make copies of the blank graphs. |
| ALL CONTENT ©2005 Deirdre Pollock THIS PATTERN MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT. If you have any questions please email me from the homepage, I'll be glad to assist. :) COPYRIGHT 2005 DEIRDRE POLLOCK |
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