Beading Tutorial: Triangle Weave

Beading techniques that offer naturally occurring geometric patterns can make for wonderfully intricate and deceptively simple beadwork. One of the most interesting - but unfortunately lesser used - techniques is triangle weave. Similar in many ways to right angle weave, this stitch can be worked with a variety of bead combinations - from a single bead in each segment to multiple seed beads and everything in between.

Just like RAW, triangle weave uses a lot of thread, and requires multiple passes through each bead or segment. It also incorporates a looping thread path, but with three segments per grouping, instead of four. For this tutorial, I’ve used 4 seed beads for each segment, alternating from blue to yellow for clarity.

How to Stitch Triangle Weave

Attach a stop bead to a comfortable length of thread, and pick up 12 seed beads. You can also knot your thread, if preferred, after sliding the beads down to the end. Pass through the first 4 seed beads again and pull snug.

Pass through the following 4 beads. Pick up 8 seed beads, and pass through the same 4 beads again to form the next triangle. Pass through all of the beads just added.

Pick up 8 seed beads, and stitch through the same 4 bead segment that your thread is exiting. Pass through all of the beads just added. Repeat to create a chain of the desired length.

To add a new layer to the beadwork, exit from the first segment at the bottom of the triangle chain. Pick up 8 beads and pass through the same segment again. Pass through all of the beads just added.

At this point, it may feel natural to weave into the next segment of the upper chain, as you would with right angle weave. However, you will need to add a new triangle to complete the pattern. As you work and get used to the pattern, refer to the chain above for help.

Pick up 8 seed beads, and pass through the segment that your thread is exiting. Pass through the next 4 beads.

Pick up 4 seed beads, and pass through the closest segment in the chain above, and the segment that your thread is exiting. Pass through the 4 beads just added.

Continue adding new triangles to your chain as desired. You can increase or decrease to create interesting geometric shapes, and add additional triangles in any direction from an existing one.

The structure of triangle weave is ideal for floral patterns. You can even work it in rounds - instead of adding segments in a straight line, move in a circle pattern and connect the first and last stitches together. Think of it like a pie with six slices.

Have you tried triangle weave? How do you like to use it?

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