How to Do Peyote Stitch

Last Updated: June 10, 2022

Peyote stitch is a pattern used to weave beads together using a needle and thread. This is still used in many traditional cultures in Africa to make symbolic headdresses and jewelry. However, even those who are from other cultures can benefit from knowing how to do peyote stitch. Depending on the stitch technique that is used, the resulting woven pieces could be flat strips, tubes, or flat round shapes, and can be used to create bags, jewelry, images, and other decorative elements. Read on to learn how to do peyote stitch. There are different types of peyote stitch and this tutorial features the even count peyote stitch.

Steps

1
Lay the pattern you want to make before you. Learn and understand how to read it. It will always have an even number of horizontal rows.
2
Read the first vertical row zig-zag. Refer to the picture for a visual reference. The first row is the one numbered in light blue.

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3
Pick up the first beads of the correct colours and thread them on your thread (the light blue ones numbered as 1 to 10 in the picture).
4
Read the second vertical row as numbered in the picture (the black beads numbered as 11 to 15 in the picture).
5
Pick up the first bead of the second row and add it to your string of beads hanging on the thread.
6
Push your needle back through the third bead from the top.
7
Pull it tight so that the last bead of the first row and the first bead of the second row are centered horizontally on top of the other bead.
8
Add the second bead from the second row to your thread.
9
Push the needle through bead number four from the top. Continue this pattern until you have finished the second row (next you will push your needle back through the sixth bead, then the eighth, and then the tenth).
10
Start the third vertical row in exactly the same way, but now reading from the bottom of your pattern to the top (you will now read the purple beads numbered from 21 to 25 in the picture).
11
Continue in this fashion until you have finished your entire pattern.
12
Work the thread back through your beaded mat in a zig-zag way to finish off. Cut the thread off after you have reversed it.
13
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

What can I do if I am having trouble seeing well enough to thread a beading needle?

Ryleigh Hempe

Community Answer

I have bought beading needles with collapsible eyes so you can easily thread a needle through the bigger hole and it will close itself as it passes through the bead. Look at Michael's or some other craft store in their jewelry/beading section.
Question

What does this stitch look like?

Community Answer

At the end of each stitch, your threaded beads should start looking like a zig zag pattern. If you think you've got the wrong stitch, try a brick stitch for a straighter pattern.
Question

Can you clarify the sentence about weaving your needle to the base row?

Community Answer

Start with threading the red bead through the second purple bead. Pull it tightly. After this, skip the next purple bead and then thread the red bead through the fourth purple bead.

Warnings

The thread might get knotted as you pull it through the beads. If this happens, do not yank on the thread. Rather undo the knot lightly with the tip of your needle.

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