A popular technique is making bracelets by bead weaving on a loom. The most used beads are delica beads, because with the cylinder shape they give a beautiful smooth surface. This allows you to create beautiful patterns for it.
When adding the threads, make sure that the threads have good tension, so that you can thread easily and that the beads lie well against each other. Avoid a too high tension, because then there is a chance that your bracelet will curl up as soon as you take it off the loom. This is a bit of a test in the beginning, but you will get more feeling for it when you repeat it.
INSTRUCTIONS
START) Undo some thread from the spool but do not cut this yet. Attach the end of this thread to the metal pin on your beadingloom. Then pass the thread back and forward around the metal pins on both sides of the loom. The space between the thread should be approximately the length of one beads, which you are going to add in between them.
The number of threads must be one more than the number of beads of your bracelet. In this example we are making a bracelet that is 6 beads wide, so we need 7 base threads.
STEP 1) After you have attached the base threads, take a new piece of thread (which we are ging to use to weave) and tie this onto the most left base thread. Leave a tail of 20 cm that allows you to hide the thread back into your work as soon as you are finished. After this step, pick-up 6 beads onto the thread.
STEP 2) Bring your thread to the right, going below the base threads and place your finger under the beads. Use your finger to push the beads up and place them inbetween the base threads. Don’t pull too hard here, just place them slowly between the base threads. This can be a bit difficult in the first row, but will become easier in the next rows.
STEP 3) When the beads are in their right place go back to the left and go through all 6 beads. Make sure your needle(and thread) goes above the base threads! This way the beads will stay in their current place and your first row is already there. Pull lightly.
STEP 4) String 6 new beads onto your thread and place them below your previous row, this time again with one bead in each gap between the threads. Repeat the previous step.
END) Continue this way until you reach the desired length of the bracelet. Keep in mind that you also need some space for a locket. If you use an extension chain, you can leave around 2 to 3 cm free for this.
TIPS FOR BEAD WEAVING ON A LOOM:
– You can finish the bracelet with several sizes of slide end tubes which are from Miyuki. They fit exactly over the last row of delica beads. Just press down the sides and it is perfectly finished. You can also attach a lock and desire chain to this.
– And because the beads are nice and tight, you can also use nice patterns.
– You can add a thicker cord, such as wax cord, to the sides or between the rows. You thread this into the beads and create extra jobs in your bracelet.
– With a checkered pattern from a notebook or a pattern sheet that you can find online, you can also draw your own patterns by coloring the boxes.