Woven Bracelet

This is my version of WOVEN BRACELET (Based upon a design by Jill Thomas)

Resources

10g Size 11 seed beads (A)

60 x 4mm Faceted beads (B)

9mm toggle clasp / clasp of choice

Beading thread

Beading needle

Instructions

1. Prepare two wing spans of beading thread and then thread them on to a beading needle. Tie the thread on to one side of the chosen clasp, using a reef knot or surgeon’s knot, and leaving a 15cm/6” tail.
   
   
2. Pick up 6A, 1B, 3A. Ignore the last 7 beads added and take the needle back up through the remaining 3A beads (towards the clasp). Take the thread around the clasp again to secure.
   Bring the needle back through the beads so that it is emerging from the B bead.
   
   
3. Pick up 3 B beads and stitch through the B bead from step 2 in the same direction, making a ring. Take the needle through a further 2B beads so that the thread is emerging from the B bead at the opposite end to the clasp.
   
   
4. Pick up 15A, 1B, 15A. Stitch through the B bead that the needle was emerging from and then the first 15A and B bead just added.
   
   
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are sufficient repeats to give the required bracelet length (allowing approximately 2.5cm/1” for attaching the other side of the clasp): this is about 5 repeat patterns. Finish at the end of step 3.
   
   
6. Ensure that the needle is emerging from the B bead furthest away from the clasp end. Pick up 6A beads and stitch through the other side of the clasp about 3 times and then tie 3 half hitch knots to secure the thread.
   Take the needle back through 3A, pick up 3 new A and then stitch into the last B bead added. Take the needle back around this end section to reinforce the clasp attachment.
   End with the needle emerging from the last B bead.
   
   
7. Take the needle through one B bead. Add 3B beads and pass the needle back through the B bead the thread emerged from: creating a ring. Continue through the next B bead.
   
   
8. Add 15A, 1 B and 15 A beads and bring the needle back through the B bead from which it emerged in step 7, then back through the first 15 A and the B bead. Take the needle through the B bead on the side of the next original B cluster. Then add 2 B beads and stitch through the last B added and the B bead form the original cluster and the next B bead at the bottom of the new cluster. This creates a new B bead ring linked to the original one.
   
   
9. Repeat step 8 until the other end of the bracelet is reached. Take the thread through the existing beads and secure around the clasp.
   
   
10. Secure both thread ends through a series of half hitch knots around the existing thread line

Here is a close up of one I am just finishing for a friend.

As you can see (hopefully) the bracelet is first worked as a looped group in one direction from one end of the clasp to the other. Then a second series of loops and crystal groups is created linking into the first, working in the opposite direction.
The first picture shows one using rondelle faceted crystals, the second 4mm faceted crystals. Any will work, just adjust the size or number of seed beads used.
Have fun!