BEADWORK PROJECTS
Beaded Three-Strand Braid
I've seen other ways to do this braid, but here's the method I'm most familiar with. It's quick and versatile -- you can combine beads in different colors and sizes as you go along. You can braid short strands between large beads (like the photo above), or you can braid the entire necklace. It does seem to work better when the bead sizes are more or less uniform. I 've also found it's a bit easier to braid shorter lengths than long ones. I like to braid straps for necklace purses and pendants because a braid is quicker than, say, a peyote stitch strap, but more substantial than just a single strand of beads.
MATERIALS
Seed beads
Assorted larger beads(optional)
Thread (I bet you could do this with Softflex, too)
Needle
Two knot hiders (bead tips)
Clasp, your choice
The following instructions describe how to braid an entire necklace (unlike the photo above), using bead tips and whatever clasp you like. The illustration below doesn't show the beads on strand C, cause it was too dang hard to draw! The ivory colored round beads could be accent beads at the ends of your necklace, or they could just represent the bead tips. Whatever -- it's your necklace, honey. ;-)
| 1. Cut a length of thread three times as long as your necklace will be,
plus about half a yard.
3. Put one knot hider on the thread, with the cup covering the single seed bead. Later, you'll close it and attach half of your clasp to the bead tip. 4. Pick up all of the beads for strand A. 5. Put the other knot hider on the thread, with the cup facing away from the beads on the strand. 6. Put one small seed bead on the thread, pulling it up against the knot hider.
8. Pick up all the beads for strand B. 9. Bring the needle through the first knot hider and the very first small seed bead, and come back through the knot hider again. |
| 10. Pin or tape the ends down onto the table or a piece of cardboard
(not necessary for short lengths.) 11. Thread on all the beads for strand C. Add several extra beads to the end, because this strand might need to be a wee bit longer than strands A and B. 12. Pick up a small seed bead and tie it onto the thread as a temporary stopper bead. (Don't tie a square knot.) Later, you'll untie it and remove any extra beads. 13. Start the braid by bringing the thread under one strand, then over and under the other, coming up in the middle (as shown in the illustration above). Repeat this pattern until the braid is as tight as you want it to be. HINT 14. Untie the stopper bead and remove any extra beads. 15. Bring the thread out the second knot hider, through the end seed bead, and back through the knot hider. 16. At this point you can come through three or four beads in one of the strands, tie a half knot around the thread, weave through a few more beads, tie another half knot, weave through more beads, etc. Or, if your thread is long enough, you can weave just weave waaaaaaay down one of the strands, stopping when you're positive the thread won't slip. 17. Finally, thread the needle onto the beginning tail of thread, and come through the knot hider and several beads in one of the strands. Trim the extra threads, and you're done! |
Visit my Gallery to see other examples of this technique.
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This page was first posted on 8/02/98
All text and illustrations ©1998 Mary J. Tafoya.
Single copies may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial use only.
All other usage must be accompanied by written permission from the author.
2. Put one small seed bead on the thread and tie a square
knot around it to secure it in place. Leave at least a 6-inch
tail. 
7. Bring the needle back through the knot hider. (Notice
that the seed bead acts like an anchor, holding the knot hider
in place.)