Make This:

Beaded Lace Medallion

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Lace goes with so many things, and making lace from tiny beads allows it to be more sturctural – an easy choice for jewelry. This project doesn’t make use of any particular beading stitch, it’s mostly just a counting project. Once you understand how it goes together it would be very easy to invent different patterns and sizes. You can also stop at any point in making this version if you want a smaller piece of lace.

Supplies:
– seed beads – these are size 15 but size 11 would work just as well
– beading needle – I use size 10
– OO Nymo or similar beading thread
– sharp scissors

Row 1
Thread the needle with the longest doubled strand of thread that you’re comfortable working with.
String on 6 beads.

Stitch through those beads again to make a loop. Go through the first bead one more time – this will help control your tension.

Row 2
Pick up a bead and stitch through the next bead in row 1.

Continue adding a bead between each of the beads in row 1 until you read the end of the row.

It will look like this when all 6 beads are in place.

You now need to “step up” to be able to work the next row (this is similar to crochet if you’re familiar with that.) Stitch through the first bead you added in this row.

Row 3
Pick up 3 beads, then stitch through the next bead in row 2. Continue this all the way around.

When you get to the end “step up” again by stitching through the first 2 beads from this row.

Row 4
The same as row 3, but this time add 5 beads in each gap.

Stitch through the first 3 to be ready for the next row.

Row 5
You probably already guessed – the same thing, but with 7 beads.

Row 6
Same thing one more time, but with 9 beads in each gap.

This time, stitch through 7 beads to get ready for the next row.

Row 7
In this row add 7 beads, then stitch through the center 5 beads of each loop in the previous row.

End by stitching through the first 4 beads of a 7 bead loop.

Row 8
Add 16 beads in each gap – work from center to center of the 7 bead loops you made in row 7.

Stitch through the first bead of the first loop in this row to be ready for the next row.

Row 9
Pick up 3 beads. Skip two beads from the previous row and then stitch through 1. Repeat this for the whole first loop.

Stitch through the last bead from this loop, the point bead from the row 7 and the first bead from the next loop. Then continue the add 3, skip 2 and stitch through one bead pattern. Repeat to the end of the row.

Stitch through the first 2 beads of the first tiny loop to be ready for the next row.

Row 10
Fill the gaps between all those tiny loops with groups of 3 beads.

Use only 2 beads between the larger loops as shown in this picture. Otherwise the medallion won’t be flat.

When you get to the end of this row you’re done. Keep stitching through that same final row of beads until either you run out of thread or you’ve built up enough thread that the beads won’t let you stitch through anymore. When you’re done with that, trim the threads as closely as possible to the beads (be careful!)

 

I put a chain through mine, but you could just as easily make these into earrings or make a bunch and hook them together for a necklace.