Beading Tutorial: Simple Chevron Chain

We’ve already had a look at what chevron chain can do when paired up with two-hole Tila beads, but what about the basic stitch? In it’s simple form, chevron chain is limited to a standard set of stitches, but it is still incredibly versatile. Unlike peyote or herringbone weave, you can use virtually any bead style, size, or shape with this technique, and achieve a wide variety of beautiful results.

Whether you’re working with larger accent beads, or sets of seed beads, chevron chain is always worked with units of three - shared beads, outside beads, and middle beads. Just like peyote stitch, you begin by picking up double the normal about.

To weave a simple chevron chain:

Secure a stop bead to a comfortable length of thread, leaving at least a six inch tail. Pick up six units of beads in the following sequence: shared, middle, shared, outside, shared, middle. If you’re using a separate bead or color for each section of the chain pick up: A, B, A, C, A, B. Stitch down through the first bead pick up, to form a tear-drop shaped loop, and pull snug.

Pick up one of each unit: outside, shared, middle (or C, A, B). Stitch up through the nearest shared bead in the loop (the 3rd A picked up), and pull snug. You will now have two interlocked teardrop shapes, with shared sides.

Pick up another 3 units in the same C, A, B sequence, and stitch down through the A bead picked up in the last step. Continue stitching in this manner until the chain has reached the desired length. That’s it! Simple and fun, chevron chain is perfect for delicate bracelets, and for necklace straps.

You can use different combinations of bead sizes, shapes and quantities to achieve different looks. Here we have the same basic pattern of red, blue, and white, with seed beads standing in for each color. Each unit in the chain has a different effect on the overall look of the beadwork. To achieve a perfect curved chevron for collars, I find that increasing the number of C beads on the inside by one is ideal.

Do you like to use chevron chain in your projects? What’s your favorite type of bead to use with it?

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