Caterpillar design right-angle weave bracelet

Two sizes of drop beads evoke a caterpillar's legs and spines. 

I have always thought of right-angle weave as many little squares that share sides. This project shows that it’s not necessary to use the same size or even the same type of beads on all four sides of your “square.” The bracelet base is constructed with fire-polished beads, seed beads, and two sizes of drop beads. Additional seed beads and drop beads embellish the top.

SUPPLIES

• bracelet 71⁄2 in. (19.1 cm)
• 150 4 mm fire-polished oval beads
• 50 4 x 6 mm drop beads
• 100 3 mm fringe drops
• 6 g size 11/0 Japanese seed beads
• nylon beading thread, size D
• beading needles, #11 or #12

INSTRUCTIONS

Base

1. On a comfortable length of thread, pick up a 4 mm fire-polished bead, a 3 mm fringe (small) drop bead, a 4 mm, and an 11/0 seed bead, leaving a 6-in. (15 cm) tail. Tie the beads into a ring with a square knot, and sew through the first three beads again (FIGURE 1, a–b).

2. Pick up an 11/0, a 4 mm, and a 4 x 6 mm (large) drop bead, and sew through the 4 mm your thread exited at the start of this step and the next two beads (b–c).

3. Alternating between a small drop and a large drop in each stitch (c–d), continue working in right-angle weave until the strip overlaps by two stitches when you wrap it around your wrist.

4. To begin the second row, sew through the last stitch in the first row, exiting the last 11/0 added (FIGURE 2, a–b). Pick up a 4 mm, an 11/0, and a 4 mm, and sew through the 11/0 in the first row and the first 4 mm added in this step (b–c).

5. Pick up an 11/0 and a 4 mm, and sew through the next 11/0 in the previous row, the last 4 mm in the previous stitch, the two beads just added, and the next 11/0 in the previous row (c–d). Continue working in right-angle weave along the length of the band, picking up a 4 mm and an 11/0 in each stitch. End and add thread as needed.

6. Work the third row as a mirror image of the first (FIGURE 3). Secure the working thread and tail in the beadwork with a few half-hitch knots, and trim.

Embellishment

1. Secure a comfortable length of thread at one end of the band, and exit an end 11/0, sewing toward the body of the bracelet.

2. Pick up a small drop, and sew through the next 11/0 in the band (FIGURE 4, a–b). Pick up an 11/0, and sew through the next 11/0 in the band (b–c). Continue (c–d) along the length of the band, alternating between adding a small drop and an 11/0. Maintain an even but relatively loose tension so that the beadwork remains flat when you lay it on your work surface.

3. At the end, sew through the middle end 4 mm, and, stitching in the opposite direction, repeat step 2 to add small drops and 11/0s along the opposite row of 11/0s.

4. After completing the row, sew through the end 4 mm and the next 11/0, small drop, and two 11/0s (FIGURE 5, a–b). Pick up three 11/0s, and sew through the 11/0 your thread is exiting to make a picot (b–c). Continue through the next 11/0, small drop, and two 11/0s, and make a picot (c–d). Repeat along the length of the band.

5. Repeat step 4 to make picots along the opposite row of 11/0s.

6. Sew through the beadwork to exit the same 11/0 you made the first picot on in step 4. Make another picot, and continue through the next four beads (FIGURE 6, a–b). Repeat (b–c) along the length of the band. Sew through the end 4 mm, and continue through the beads in the opposite row to exit the next 11/0 with a picot.

7. Pick up an 11/0, sew through the middle 11/0 of the opposite picot (d–e), pick up an 11/0, and sew through the 11/0 your thread exited at the start of this step (e–f).

8. Sew through the next 11/0, small drop, and two 11/0s, and repeat step 7 (f–g). Continue along the length of the band. Secure the working thread and tail, and trim.

Don't forget the clasp! Step-by-step instructions and accompanying photos can be found on the free, downloadable PDF.