Wavy Herringbone Stitch Bracelets~

A versatile stitch idea from

Danielle Wickes Jewelry
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This awesome bracelet and many others like it can be created quick-
ly and with any beads you like! I found that the mixing up of bead
sizes with each new stitch addition created a cool, wavy pattern that
you can mix up and make your own with any focal bead or beads.
You can also use the same technique shown here to create with a sin-
gle bead size, 8/0 for example. In many of my multi-wraps I am do-
ing this same technique with just 8/0 seeds, adding focal beads as I
go. This quick photo tutorial will walk you through the basic stitch
repeat and from there you can create anything you like!

In the featured design, the beads stack up with 11/0,

8/0, 6/0 and taper back down again to 11/0. Focal beads
can be added in between.
I like to start with a wingspan (30 inches or so) of fireline (6lb). I string four
11/0 seeds leaving a 10 inch tail. Then bring your needle back up through the
first two seeds added. Pull and your beads will pop into the square shape shown.
Loop around to reinforce. Now pick up two 8/0 seeds and stitch down through
the 11/0 seed below (stitch into the 11/0 that the working thread is not exiting
from). Pull all the way through and the 8/0 seeds you just added will stack as
shown. From there bring your needle back up through the adjacent 11/0 seed
and the 8/0 above it.
Now we’re going to pick up two 6/0 seeds and just like before, we’re going to
stitch back down through the 8/0 below.
Pull through and you’ll see the 6/0 stack above the 8/0 as shown. I sometimes
have to help them a little. Sew back up through the adjacent 8/0 seed and the
6/0 above it. Now repeat these steps twice more, tapering down to 8/0 and then
to 11/0 seeds. This is 1 repeat. Using this size seeds I typically get about half
an inch measurement. This can be used to help plan your bracelet. Where would
you like the focal beads to sit along the bracelet? How many repeats to put be-
tween each focal is up to you. To add the focal beads, assess your focal bead.
My hibiscus flowers have a dip in the bottom side that I have found works best
if I add one 11/0 seed before sewing through the flower. Then I add three more
11/0. After that, I bring the needle back through the first 11/0 added, then sew
back into the flower, and then through the 11/0 under it. Then sew back into one
side of the herringbone column.
Pull and the beads will snug up as shown. Now bring the needle back up
through the adjacent 11/0, and then back through the single 11/0 under the
flower. Continue through the 11/0 on top of the flower, and into one of the
11/0 stacked above that.
Next add two 8/0 seeds and come back down through the 11/0 below (the one
the working thread is not exiting).

A special note about reinforcing. I

like to loop back down and around
this connection one time. I usually
do this as part of my 8/0 add,
meaning I add those 8/0 seeds and
go down through the 11/0 below,
but then I sew back through the
11/0, flower, 11/0 and I loop back
around the two 11/0 below it, then
come back up and exit from the
8/0 seed stack. From here I am
ready to continue the pattern re-
peat.
 Another tip about the focal beads:
With a larger focal that has a uni-
form edge (i.e. nothing for a seed
to nestle into) it isn't necessary to
add that extra 11/0 seed before
looping through the focal. As
shown to the left, I have sewn into
the focal immediately after com-
pleting my 11/0 section of the wave
repeat. I added two 11/0 on the
other side, and then stitched di-
rectly back through the focal bead
and into one side of the column be-
low. Again here I have looped back
through the focal to reinforce.

Once you’ve reached the end of your bracelet, you can create an attachment
like the one pictured here simply by adding eight 11/0 seeds and stitching
down into the 11/0 below. Loop around to reinforce. Then weave in your
thread.
Repeat this step on the starting side of your bracelet as well.
 Last but not least, you
can have fun adding the
clasp of your choice and
even some charms!

You could substitute a

wire protector here for
the loop of eight 11/0
seeds if that is pre-
ferred.

Try a wrap! You can just

keep going and make
necklaces and bracelets
that wrap around the
wrist.

Have fun and share your

designs!

Thanks and Love from Danielle Wickes Jewelry