The four stitches at a glance
Peyote: columns offset by half a bead Brick stitch: rows offset by half a bead Loom: a straight grid Herringbone: beads in V-shaped pairs
| Stitch | Look | You need | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peyote | Tight, flexible fabric; offset columns | Needle and thread | Easy–medium | Bracelets, rings, covers |
| Brick stitch | Like a brick wall; offset rows | Needle and thread | Medium | Figures, earrings, shaped pieces |
| Loom | Straight grid; rows and columns aligned | Loom, needle and thread | Easy; finishing takes time | Wide bracelets, pixel designs |
| Herringbone | Beads lean in V-shaped pairs | Needle and thread | Medium–hard | Textured bracelets and bands |
Peyote
In peyote you add a bead and skip a bead in every row. The result is flexible yet sturdy and sits nicely on the wrist. In the chart neighboring columns are offset by half a bead; the edges are straight and you can shape the piece by increasing or decreasing.
- Ideal for bracelets and long bands.
- No loom needed, just a needle and thread.
- The first rows take some getting used to. See how to read a peyote pattern for details.
Brick stitch
In brick stitch each bead is attached to the thread bridges that connect the beads of the previous row. Every row is offset by half a bead from the one before, so it looks like peyote turned 90 degrees.
Because you start every row separately, making rows shorter or longer, and so shaping the piece, is easy. That is why it is the usual choice for animal figures, letters, earrings and rings. Most of the figure patterns in the gallery are brick stitch.
Loom
On a loom the beads sit between warp threads stretched on the frame, and each row is held by a weft thread that passes under and back over the warps. The beads form a straight grid, so pixel art and lettering show up without any offset.
It is quick to stitch and suits wide designs, but when you finish you have many warp threads to weave in. Without a loom you can get the same straight look with square stitch and a needle.
Herringbone
In herringbone the beads are added two at a time and each pair leans together in a V. The surface is textured and slightly diagonal and looks interesting even in a single color. Following the thread path takes a little more attention than in the other stitches.
Which stitch should I choose?
- If your first project is a bracelet: peyote.
- For animals, characters, letters or earrings: brick stitch.
- For a wide, detailed bracelet, if you have a loom: loom.
- For a textured, eye-catching surface: herringbone.