I finally had  time  to give my blog some much-needed attention and was able to update a few things (like fix photos in some previous tutorials that were lost). I think I’m slowly starting to get the hang of this technical stuff.

I’m back in greens/teals mode as you can probably tell from my last couple of posts. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and please feel free to contact me if you need help with any instructions or would like to see something in particular for a tutorial.

**UPDATE NOTE–to adjust the width, you may use less or more beads in the ladders, just adjust the rows accordingly. Also, using an odd number of beads in the ladders will help position your thread for the V’s but again, you will need to adjust the seed bead rows on the inside accordingly.

What you will need to make a 7 inch bracelet:

-126  of 1/4 inch (size 3) Silver-lined Crystal bugle beads.

-3 colors of size 11/0 Miyuki seed beads( or your choice of beads).  I used (3 grams) Miyuki Rounds Silver-lined Mint Green #571, (2 gram) Silver-lined Emerald #17 F, (1 grams) and Silver-lined Teal #2425F.

- Size 15/0 Miyuki Silver lined Crystal seed beads (1 gram).

-Size 13 beading needle or smaller.

-Thread and wax or Fire Line. Keep in mind you are working with bugles and the thread may fray and/or break.

-Clasp

-Knowledge of ladder stitch will be needed (click link if you need instructions).

-Knowledge of how to tie half hitch knots, add string and add a clasp will be needed.

Each inside fan or V will have 14 rows. Here are the colors I used for the rows starting from the biggest row to smallest (top to bottom of V):

Miyuki rounds 11/0 Mint Green for Rows 14, 13, 12, 11, and 10.

Miyuki rounds 11/0 Emerald Green for Rows 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.

Miyuki rounds 11/0  Teal for Rows 4, 3, 2 and 1.

In this first part, you will use your Row 1 (Teal) beads to connect the ladders where indicated.

1. Start your first ladder stitch row by picking up two bugles and bringing your needle up the first bugles and down the second so the beads are sitting right next to each other. Continue adding beads to this ladder and complete a total of 14 beads.

2. Pick up a row 1 seed bead (teal) and two bugles. Start your next ladder with the bugles. Make sure your first two bugles are sitting snug against the row 1 seed bead.

3. Make a second ladder with 14 beads. Once this row is complete you should have a V shape with a teal bead connecting the two ladders. Switch directions of your thread to  position it outward of the top right side of the V.

*Note-To switch directions, bring your needle through the second from the top bead (thread outside of the V now) come underneath the thread between the top two beads(see photo) and bring your needle back through the second from top bead, then through the top bead  to where it is positioned away from the inside to where you can add your next bugle ladder.

4. You will be making a zig zag with the ladders. Once facing out on the top right, add your next row 1 seed bead and two bugles. Complete the next ladder row of 14 beads. For a 6-7 inch bracelet, continue these steps until you have a total of 9 ladders or zig zags. The photo below shows what it should start to look like.

If you need longer than a 7 inch bracelet, add two more ladders, for a total of 11. I would err on the side of small initially because it is difficult to pull apart if it is too big once the inside had been beaded.  Keep in mind you can always extend the clasp or add another V once the inside is beaded.

Once you have reached the last ladder, now you will want your thread coming out the top bugle on the right ladder of the V  facing inside the V.

Here are the amount of beads and colors I used for each row:

Row 14 : 16 beads– Mint Green

Row 13: 15 beads– Mint Green

Row 12: 14 beads– Mint Green

Row 11: 13 beads –Mint Green

Row 10: 12 beads– Mint Green

Row 9: 10 beads– Emerald Green

Row 8: 8 beads –Emerald Green

Row 7: 8 or 7 beads –Emerald Green

Row 6: 6 or 7 beads–Emerald Green

Row 5: 5 or 6 beads–Emerald Green

Row 4: 5 or 4 beads– Matte Teal

Row 3: 3 or 4 beads– Matte Teal

Row 2: 2 beads– Matte Teal

Row 1: 1 bead–Matte Teal

Please read-Depending on the types of beads you use, some rows will use a different amount of beads. Use the amount of beads that will lie in a semi-flat fan shape in the V without the row buckling. Too little amount of beads will straighten the row. Delicas will probably have more of an exact number for each row, where as Czech beads will be a little more inconsistent. I used Miyuki rounds.

*Optional step: Before filling in the zig zags and if you still have at least an 8-10 inch thread left, leave it for the clasp. Pull another 2 1/2  to 3 yards of thread and thread your needle. Weave thread into the ladders to secure and then proceed with the next step. Leave an 8-10 inch tail if you didn’t from the last thread.

5. String 16  size 11/0 beads with the color for the 14th row (Mint Green). Bring your needle through the top bead (14th bead) of the left ladder of the V.

6. Pull your thread. Next bring your needle back around and down to the 13th bugle on the left side and coming out towards the inside of the V we are working on. We will basically just be weaving back and forth with beads, filling in the space.

7. Pick up 15 beads for row 13 and bring your needle through the 13th bugle on the right ladder. If 15 beads do not sit correctly in the V, adjust accordingly.

8. Continue to fill in the V with the colors and amount of beads from the chart in step 4. Again, adjust the amount of beads if needed.

9. Once the first V has been filled in, move over to the next V, which will probably be upside down. You can flip the piece over so it is right side up. Once you have  flipped your piece over, make sure your thread is positioned in the top left bugle towards the inside of the second V. Start filling in the V by picking up 16 beads of row 14 color and bringing your need through across to the 14th bead/top bead on the opposite side.

10. Continue to fill in the V with the colors and amount of beads from the chart in step 4.

11. Continue with steps 5-9 for the remainder of the bracelet.

Adding a clasp:

I used the multi-strand sliding barrel clasp. If you didn’t leave thread for the clasp when you started filling in the zig zags, you can add thread at this point and weave it into the piece to secure.  This is where you can adjust your length as well. Add extra seed beads to your clasp to make the bracelet longer. I added 22 size 15/0 Miyuki Silver lined Crystal seed beads for each loop in the clasp to lengthen it to a 7 inch. If you need a bracelet longer than 7 inches, it would probably be best to add another 2 ladders to the bracelet and fill it in before adding the clasp.

If you need additional instructions for this bracelet, please email me at Yvonne@My-Amari.com and I will be more than happy to help!