Peyote stitch is a pattern used to weave beads together using a needle and thread. 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. This project teaches you how to do the peyote stitch when you begin with an even number of beads, and your composition is flat.

The stitch pattern takes a slightly different form when you begin with an odd number of beads. And there is a slight variation when stitching peyote in the round or tubular shape. This project does not touch on these variations.

In the flat, even-count peyote stitch, you pick up an even number of beads. This “foundation” row of beads is actually your first two peyote rows. You then pick up one bead, skip over an existing bead, and pass through the next bead in the previous row.

You continue all the way across until you have created what is called a “peyote zipper.” You will see that every other bead will protrude up from the one previous to it. We always want to get the beads in this zipper tightly abutted together. Then you continue this weaving pattern: pick up a bead, pass through the next protruding bead, pick up a bead and pass through the next protruding bead, and so forth.

In this project, about every inch, I change up something about the beads you are using – their shape or size --, when you peyote. This gives you a sense of “What Happens Next.”

In the WHAT HAPPENS NEXT Bracelet project...