Peyote Graph
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More Peyote
Join us in part 2 of our journey learning about peyote. We're going to learn some of the more advanced peyote techniques including my favourite beaded toggles!
Even Count tubular peyote
Working in tubular will produce a rope with nice flexibility
to it. Your starting circle of beads will determine how thick the rope is, it
is better to go up a size of beads than start a large circle of tiny beads or
you may need to add something inside the tube for structure (aquarium tubing is
perfect for this). Perfect for stripy designs. When working with graduated
sized beads this will form a Cellini Spiral.
Even Count Tubular Peyote
Step 1
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread and add a stop bead or bead stopper to the end. Pick up 10 beads. Loop around and pass through a few beads to form a circle.
You may find it easier to slip the circle onto a dowel or pencil for the 1st few rows to help maintain the shape.Step 2
Pick up a bead, skip a bead and pass through the next bead. Repeat around to add 5 beads to this row.
Step up by passing through the 1st bead added at the start of the 2nd row.Step 3
Repeat step 2 to work your tubular length.
Odd count tubular Peyote
Worked in exactly the same way except that you do not need
to step up when starting with an odd number in your circle. This works
perfectly for stripes around your tube.
Step 1
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread and add a stop bead or bead stopper to the end. Pick up 11 beads. Loop around and pass through a few beads to form a circle.
Step 2
Pick up a bead, skip a bead and pass through the next bead.
Step 3
Repeat until your tube is the required length.
If you are wanting to create stripes then always pick up the bead that your thread is exiting, this will cause the stripe to wrap around the tube.Drop Peyote
Drop peyote is worked exactly the same as normal peyote, you
just pick up more beads per stitch, normally worked in 2’s or 3’s.
Drop Peyote
Step 1
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread and add a stop bead or bead stopper. Pick up 12 beads alternating 2 black and 2 red.
Step 2
Pick up 2 red, skip the 2 red and pass through the 2 black. Repeat down the length.
Step 3
Pick up 2 black, skip the 2 black and pass through the 2 red. Repeat down the length.
Spiral Peyote
This is a slightly complicated version of peyote and can
take a while to master but the beautiful tactile nature of the finished piece
is so worth it.
Step 1
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread, note that this is quite thread hungry so start with a much longer length than you would normally, especially if working a necklace length. Thread on a stop bead or add a bead stopper. Pick up enough beads to make double the required length, for ease make sure it is an even number.
Step 2
Pick up 2 beads, skip a bead and pass through the next bead. Repeat along the length.
Step 3
Pick up a bead, skip a bead and pass through the next bead. Pick up a bead and pass through the next bead. Repeat along the length.
Step 4
Pick up 2 beads, skip a bead and pass through the next bead. Repeat along the length.
Repeat the 1 bead row and 2 beads row as many times as you like. The more rows you make, the “fluffier” the spiral.
You can either leave the spiral in its more organic twist or you can manipulate the beadwork around to form a perfect spiral.
Circular peyote
This technique is perfect for making your own toggle clasps
and is the basic start for bezelling.
Step 1
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread. Pick up an even number of size 11 beads, loop around and pass through a few beads to form a circle.
Step 2
Pick up a bead, skip a bead and pass through the next bead. Repeat around and then step up through the first bead added in this step.
Step 3
Pick up a size 8 bead, skip a bead and pass through the next bead. Repeat around.
You can add another row of 8’s or maybe add some crystals or small pearls, the possibilities are endless. Or maybe even use size 15’s in the centre to really snug the ring in.
Zipping Up
One of my favourite things to use peyote for (apart from bezelling shiny rivolis) is making my own beaded toggles. We’ve covered most of the basics to make the actual components (odd or even count peyote for the toggle, circular peyote for the ring) but how do you turn a strip of peyote into a toggle bar? You zip it up!
Step 1
Create your strip of peyote finishing on an even row. Fold your strip in half, you will notice that the sticking out beads will slot together.
Step 2
Thread through the 1st sticking out bead from the beginning, then through the bead at the end and keep alternating between the 2 sides “zipping” your work up. At the end pass up through the very 1st bead.
You can decorate the ends or embellish the tube further, just ensure that the piece of circular peyote created is large enough for the tube to pass through.
