Basic Right Angle Weave Bracelet Tutorial
21 July 2010
Author: Kelly Angeley
Right Angle Weave is an extremely versatile stitch that can be used to create stunning dimensional projects. Learn the basics and create this beautiful right angle weave bracelet.
What You Need:
- 18 Grams Size 8° Japanese Seed Beads – Purple Iris
- 5 Grams Size 11° Japanese Seed Beads – Permanent Finish Galvanized Gold
- 1 Decorative 12mm Button
- Beading Thread (Fireline 6lb, Toho One G, Nymo Size D)
- Microcrystalline Wax or Beeswax for conditioning thread
- EK Success CutterBee Scissors
- Size 12° Beading Needles
- Beading Surface (such as a velvet pad)
What to Do:
- Begin with about 2 yards of beading thread. Thread the needle and pass the thread through the wax several times. Conditioning the thread prevents tangles and makes the thread easier to work with. Pick up four size 8° seed beads and tie them in a circle, using a square knot. Leave about a 12 inch tail, which we will be woven back into the beadwork and trimmed later. Pass the needle through the first bead next to the knot.
- Pick up three more beads and go down through the third bead in step 1.
- Pass the needle through the third and then the second bead that you just added here in step 2.
You want to be coming out of the bead to the far right of this “unit”, as we are working left to right. Referring to the photograph, notice that you are making individual units. Each unit consists of four beads. Think of a square that has four sides. Each corner of the square forms a right angle. (Hence, the name!) When you attach a unit next to an already existing unit, they are going to share a “wall” or a bead. If you are attaching a unit above or below an existing unit, they will share a “ceiling” or a “floor”. - Pick up three more beads. Go down through the bead you were initially coming out of, as well as the first 2 beads you just added. Essentially, this is just as you did in step 2.
With each new unit you build, however, you are reversing the direction you travel in. This is to say, you are either going up or down but you are still working left to right. - Pick up three more beads and repeat step 2.
- Pick up three more beads and repeat step 2 only this time you will travel through the first bead you added, not the second. This will set you up to build the “ground floor” on the unit below in the next row. Looking at your strip of beadwork, you should now have five units across. An easy way to count this is by only counting the top bead of each unit. Illustrated in the photo below, I have passed the needle through each of the five top beads to make it easier to see. You do not need to complete this step.
- Now that we are starting a new row, flip your beadwork over so that you will continue to work from left to right. Pick up three beads and go through the bead you were initially coming out of, plus the three beads you just added.
- Go down through the middle bead (ground/ceiling bead) from unit #4 in the previous row.
This is setting you up for building the next unit. Now that you have a unit next to and below the one you are about to construct, you already have one wall and one floor, there for you only need to add two beads this time instead of three. - Pick up two beads and go through the “wall” bead on the unit created in step 7. Also, go through the “ceiling” bead on the unit below it.
- Continue going through the “wall” bead on the unit you just created.
- Pick up two beads. Go through the “ceiling” bead on the unit below, as well as the bead you were initially coming out of before starting this unit.
- Carry on in this fashion, remembering to flip your beadwork every time you complete the fifth unit in the row. Once you become comfortable with this stitch, it is not necessary to flip the piece over but for beginners, this is a helpful tool. Remember, this is “right angle weave,” which means with each new unit you create, you will be making a right turn!
- Keep in mind that the average bracelet length is approximately 7 inch. The sample I have created is 6 1/4 inch because the addition of the button clasp added 3/4 inch, bringing it to 7 inch. Measure your own wrist before adding the button to decide the length that is desired. Once you have the desired length, weave your working thread to come out through the ceiling bead on the middle or third unit of your finished bracelet. It is important to note here that my directions are for a 12mm button. Depending on the size of your button, you may have to add or subtract beads to best fit your button size.
Pick up five size 11° seed beads and one size 8° seed bead. Pass the needle through the shank of the button, pick up one size 8° seed bead and five more size 11° seed beads. Pass the needle through the “ceiling” bead you originally came out of. Pass the needle through the circle of beads just added, including the button shank. - Repeat this process to go through the circle of beads at least 6 times. This may seem excessive but the reason for this is to reinforce the clasp because this is the point on the bracelet that gets the most wear and tear. Weave your thread back into the beadwork and tie several knots, hiding them in between beads.
- Go back to the original end of your bracelet that you began with. Put a needle on the tail that is remaining and weave it back into the beadwork. Follow the thread paths, making right angles (no straight lines!) as you go. Weave the thread to come out through the middle “ceiling” bead on the third unit just as you did in step #13.
- Pick up twenty six size 11° seed beads. Go through the middle size 8° seed bead you initially came out of. Go through the loop of beads five more times to reinforce just as you did on the button end of your bracelet.
Weave the thread through the beadwork. Tie several knots and trim the tail off.
Follow these step-by-step photos and instructions to create a right angle weave bracelet of your own and share your creation in the gallery!