How to Make a Beautiful Beaded Bracelet using Spiral Stitch

 Spiral Stitch is great. It’s a very easy stitch to learn and also very versatile. Using the basic foundation of the stitch you can create a lot of different looks. You can alter the size and style of beads you use or you can change the number of beads used per stitch. Through experimentation, you can create an abundance of beading possibilities!  Here are some examples of my work, all created using spiral stitch.

I’m really excited to share my spiral freshwater pearl bracelet pattern with you. Keep in mind, that you can adapt this pattern however you like, replace the pearls with cubes, leaves or ceramic beads…whatever takes your fancy!

 Free Beaded Spiral Bracelet Pattern

Supplies

Approx. 2-3 grams of size 6 green seed beads
Approx. 5 grams of size 11 ceylon purple seed beads B (I generally like to use Japanese seed beads but you can use cheaper seed beads if you like – Just try and use beads that are similiar in size)
18 Dark green freshwater pearls C
18 Lime green freshwater pearls C
36 Dark purple freshwater pearls C
2 silver-plated bell cones
2 silver-plated eye-pins
2 silver-plated jump rings
1 silver-plated lobster clasp

Tools

Thread Needle Round Nose Pliers Pliers

Method

Step 1 – Thread your needle with a stop bead leaving about 20 cm (8 inch) of thread. Add four (size 6) green seed beads

Step 2 – Add another (size 6) green seed bead, two (size 11) ceylon purple seed beads, one dark purple freshwater pearl, and two more (size 11) ceylon purple seed beads. Now pass the thread through the last three beads you stitched on in step one, and the very first green bead you picked up in the beginning of this step  

Step 3 – Once again, add onegreen seed bead (size 6). Then add two ceylon purple seed beads (size 11), one lime green freshwater pearl, and another two ceylon purple seed beads (size 11). Next, pass the thread through the four green seed beads to form the base. You do this by picking up three of the size 6 green beads from the previous steps and the one size 6 green bead you just picked up at the beginning of this step. Pull your thread, so the purple seed beads sit on top of the base lime seed beads and push the purple seed beads and freshwater pearls to sit beside the other beads sitting on the outside of the base.    

Continue to add one (size 6) green bead, two (size 11) ceylon purple seed beads, one freshwater pearl* and again two (size 11) ceylon purple seed beads. Pass through four green seed beads to form the base (passing through the three green seed beads from the previous steps, and also picking up the green bead from the current step).  

*To achieve the colour pattern of the bracelet, alternate the freshwater pearl colours with each step as follows: One dark purple (as in step 2) One lime green (as in step 3) One dark purple (step 4) One dark green (step 5) Repeat these steps till you reach your desired length, keeping in mind, you will add some length with your clasp also. For a bracelet I work about 17 inches of spiral stitch, leaving about 1 and a half inches for the clasp area.

Here is a summary of steps for this Spiral Bracelet:

1st step only – Thread: 4 x A, 2 x B, 1 x C, 2 x B, pass through all four A beads to form the base.

Every step (except the first) – Thread: 1 x A, 2 x B, 1 x C, 2 x B, stitch through 3 A’s (already in the base from previous steps) and 1A from this step.

Finishing

When your bracelet has reached the required length attach an eye-pin to the end of the piece with your thread. Do this by wrapping the thread around the eye pin and tying knots. Repeat, this many times – stitching the thread back into the bracelet and tying knots and wrapping around the eye pin. You should wrap the thread until the eye-pin is securely attached. The eye-pin may still move a little but that’s okay for now.

Finish the thread by weaving into your work and tying a final knot – seal knot with a little nail polish. Now, add a good dollop of clear nail polish or PVC glue, over the tied knots on your eye pin. Let it dry, then place your cone, over the eye-pin.

Next, trim the excess length from your eye-pin leaving enough to curl. Curl the end so that the bell cap fits tightly against the end of the bracelet.

Repeat this step for the other end of the bracelet, removing the stop bead first.

Attach jump rings to the ends of the eye pins.

Finish off your bracelet by adding a lobster or toggle clasp.

A Note on Adding New Thread

I usually use enough thread (about 1.5 metres) so I only have to change the thread once throughout this project. When you have about 13cm (5 inches) of thread left, weave it back into the base beads.

First, weave back through two of the base beads. Tie a knot. And weave again through another two. Tie another knot. Seal your knots with clear nail polish or PVC glue.

Add the new thread by weaving it in about five beads prior to where you left off. Weave through two beads. Tie knot. Weave through another two beads. Tie knot. Weave through one more bead and you should now be ready to continue your work. Once again, seal your knots with polish or glue.

As you will be passing your thread through the same section where your old thread is finished, be careful to not undo this prior work. Also, aim to tie your knots in an alternative placement to where you tied your knots in finishing your thread, as this helps to keep your work neat.  

I hope you enjoyed this pattern and that it inspires you to make something special!