Free Beaded Bracelet Pattern – Ideal for using up leftover beads
It’s stash busting time. Here is a free pattern to make a Right Angle Weave Bracelet that is great for using up spare beads. Anything goes with this bracelet – you can use pearls, crystals, glass beads, fire polished beads. Really any bead you have lying around. For that reason, it’s aptly named the ‘Bubble and Squeak’ bracelet.
Tools
Needle
Nymo Thread (in matching colour)
Approx 3 grams of Miyuki or Matsuno size 8 beads – (I used a range of colours within the same colour spectrum).
40 (maybe 42 if your bracelet is a bit longer) mixed beads sized 2-4mm – This is a great bracelet to get rid of left over beads (yay!) – I used a range of swarvoski crystals, freshwater pearls, czech glass spheres, czech firepolished and whatever else I could find lying around.
1 x 10-12mm matching bead for clasp.
2 x size 11 beads in matching colour for ends
Bees Wax or thread conditioner
Step 1
Stitch one row of Right Angle Weave – 3×3 units. This is just a very simple variation of the very basic 1×1 unit Right Angle Weave stitch. If you’re new to Right Angle Weave then you might like to read my Right Angle Weave tutorial for an overview on the stitch first.
Thread needle with about 1.5 m (60″) of conditioned thread. Tie on a stop bead leaving about an 20 cm (8″) tail. Pick up 12 x size 8 beads and pass back through the first 9 beads that you just picked up.
Important: Throughout this stitch make sure to thread through three beads at a time so that each unit can form a square shape.
*Pick up another nine size 8 beads and pass your thread back through the last three beads from your previous unit, and the first six beads you added in this stitch (three beads at a time). Repeat * till the bracelet reaches about two-thirds of the way around your wrist (I find 20-21 units to be a good length). Remember your thread should be moving from clockwise to anti-clockwise with each new unit (by the way a unit is the 12 beads that form the square. For example, the image below shows six completed units.
Step 2
Make a second row following the 3×3 unit pattern as above. If you have trouble with the turn please see the basic right angle weave tutorial. If you’re confident that’s great! It’s usually around this point that it can get a little tricky. Here is a detailed description of this step in case you need it:
1. To create the first unit of the second row, you will need to pick up nine size 8 beads. Now, pass the needle back through the eastern three beads of the last unit you just came from (in the original row) and pass through the first three beads that you just picked up. NB: You may have to pass through all nine beads you just added – depending on which way your thread is trailing. Just make sure your thread is heading in the same direction as the units in the original row.
2. Add six size 8 beads. Pass your thread through the eastern three beads from the original row, the last three beads from the previous unit, and the six beads that you have just added.
3. Pass your thread through the next three eastern beads of the original row, add six size 8 beads, then pass through the three beads from the previous unit (on the same row that your on now) and again through the three eastern beads from the original row, and through the first three beads that you have just added.
Remember you should be moving clockwise to anti-clockwise.
If you’re having trouble, just remember to keep working your stitches in alternating circles.
Step 3
Now for the fun bit – Begin to weave your thread back through your work picking up random beads as you go.
Weave your thread to begin at the first unit of a row. Pass the thread through the first three beads, pick up one of your 2-4mm sized beads then weave your thread through the top three beads of the unit, crossing at a diagonal (See Diagram 2). Once again, pick up a 2-4mm bead and weave your thread through the top three beads, crossing at a diagonal. Continue picking up beads and complete the row. Just choose your beads at random – you don’t have to overthink this design – just close your eyes and choose one. You may notice that your work will begin to lose its shape. With each new centre bead that you add, your work will begin to scrunch and distort but that’s okay – this is what makes the bracelet look so great!
See below to see how you work the last step.
Finishing
Bring your thread through to the adjoining middle three beads of the last two units. Add nine size 8 beads and one large bead for the clasp. Now add another size 8 bead and a smaller size 11 bead – another option is to add three beads and do a picot finish.
Okay, now pass back through three beads – the size 8 one, the large one, and another size 8. Pick up three size 8 beads and pass back through the fifth bead you thread on in the very beginning of this step. Pick up another three size 8 beads and pass back through the first bead you thread on in the very beginning of this step. Weave in your thread, tie a knot (I usually tie a couple of extra knots for added security) and dab knots with a dash of clear nail polish. Trim.
Finish the other end
Add new thread by weaving into the work and tying a couple of knots. Bring your thread through to the adjoining middle three beads of the last two units. Add twenty-five size 8 beads and pass back through the fifth one.
You should now have a nice big loop to fit over your clasp bead. If it doesn’t fit then add some extra beads or take them away as necessary. Now add three more size 8 beads and pass back through the very first bead you added at the beginning of this step. Weave in your thread, tie knots, dab knots with a dash of clear nail polish and trim. Weave in any loose ends, knot, and trim.
And that’s it. You’re finished. I know that the instructions are long, as I have written very detailed instructions for beginner beaders. Don’t let it deter you in trying this pattern as it’s really very easy and the results are great. I sold all three of my bracelets. I hope you enjoy this pattern.
