Beading Tutorial: Pea Pod Stitch

I’m always on the lookout for quick ways to string beads simply, while adding the extra security of small stitches. Daisy chain and variations of it are a personal favorite, but doing the same old thing can get a little dull after awhile. This simple looped embellishment, which I like to call pea pod stitch, adds a lot of security to a simple strand of beads, and works up very quickly.

The very first project I tested the technique on featured 3-bead clusters and a pretty green palette. The curvy loops of seed beads that surround the bead clusters looked just like protective pea pods. I’m going to demonstrate the stitch with this same pattern, but it’s easy enough to change things up with your own accent patterns and sequences.

You can work this stitch with a single thread for short strands, so long as there are places to turn the thread around at each end. Clasps, focals, or other small stitches are ideal. Be sure to use beads that can take multiple thread passes.

To weave pea pod embellishments:

String your beads in the desired pattern, including sections with: seven 11/o seed beads, one 8/o seed bead, one small accent bead, one 8/o seed bead, and seven 11/o seed beads. When the strand is complete, weave around or start a new thread, moving in the opposite direction.

Exit from the third 11/o seed bead in the first sequence you come to. Pick up thirteen 11/o seed beads, and pass through the fourth 11/o seed bead across the accent cluster. If you are using a different set or style of accent beads, you may need to adjust the amount of beads picked up in this step, to comfortably span the gap.

Always make sure that the new loops of seed beads cross over symmetrically. This gives the finished pods a pleasing shape.

Continue adding loops to one side of the strand, until you reach the end of the work. Turn the thread, or begin a new one, and move back along the strand in the opposite direction.

Exit from the third bead in the first sequence, and pick up thirteen seed beads. Stitch through the fourth seed bead on the other side of the accents. Pull snug, and a complete pea pod will be formed! Continue adding loops to finish each section, and weave in the remaining thread.

What’s your favorite quick and easy chain technique?

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
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