6 Bead Chains

You can make pretty sturdy chains with this stitch if you use heavy thread and double it over. You can also use super thin beading wire, which is more sturdy than thread - but if you make a mistake and have to back up, sometimes the wire will be somewhat bent out of shape and that section of your beadwork may not lay right when you continue.

Step 1

Thread 6 beads.

Step 1

Step 2

Go back through all 6 beads to form a circle. Pull tight.

(The beads are shown loose in these illustrations so that you can see the path of the thread more easily, but you should pull the thread taut after every step. Maintain even tension.)

Step 2

Step 3

Knot with the tail thread a couple of times (pull tight, even though the illustration shows it loosely). Go through the next bead (bead 1).

You can work the tail thread into the work when you're done.

Step 3

Step 4

Thread a bead of a contrasting color. This bead will sit in the middle of the circle.

Step 4

Step 5

Go through the opposite bead in the circle (bead 4). Pull tight.

Step 5

It's important that you go through the correct bead on the opposite side of the circle when you add the middle bead. If you don't, the middle bead will pop out and sit wrong.

It may help to remember that if you came UP through the bead on the left side of the circle, after you add the middle bead you must go UP through the opposite bead. There will always be 2 beads in the circle between the bead you started at and the opposite bead.

Right Way and Wrong Way

Step 6

Thread 4 beads.

Step 6

Step 7

Go through bead 5 to create a new circle.

Step 7

Step 8

Thread your middle bead and go through the bead on the opposite site of the circle.

Step 8

Step 9

Repeat steps 7 and 8 unil you reach the desired length.

Step 9


Patterns

Dots

This is the basic pattern shown in the illustrations above.
(B=blue, R=red)

  • Base circle BBBBBB, middle R

Then add:

  • BBBB, middle R

Repeat until you reach desired length.

Dots

Circles and Bars

(B=blue, R=red)

  • Base circle BBBBBB, middle R

Then add:

  • RBBR, middle R
  • BBBB, middle R

Repeat until you reach desired length.

Circles and Bars

Diagonals

(B=blue, R=red)

  • Base circle BRBBRB, middle R

Then add:

  • RRBR, middle B
  • BBRB, middle R

Repeat until you reach desired length.

Diagonals

Chevrons

(G=green, B=blue, R=red)

  • Base circle GGGGGG, middle R

Then add:

  • RRRR, middle G
  • BBBB, middle R
  • GBBG, middle B
  • BRRB, middle R
  • RGGR, middle G
  • GGGG, middle R

Repeat until you reach desired length.

Chevrons