Blog posts of '2018' 'August'

The Russian spiral is a variation of the netting stitch you used to create :

• http://dunebeads.com/en/learn-and-create-a-beaded-bracelet-in-flat-vertical-netting-part-1
• http://dunebeads.com/en/learn-and-create-a-beaded-bracelet-in-flat-vertical-netting-part-2
• http://dunebeads.com/en/tips-and-tricks-for-newbies-weaving-a-filled-tubular-netting-or-how-to-fill-a-basket-with-beads-part-1
• http://dunebeads.com/en/tips-and-tricks-for-newbies-weaving-a-filled-tubular-netting-or-how-to-fill-a-basket-with-beads-part-2-2

and consists of collapsed diamond shapes. As a consequence, the Russian spiral is supple and can easily be used to create bracelets and necklaces.

Challenge:

The use of faceted beads in three colors will make it easier to understand the structure, but you will have to pay special attention when adding the colors as they will vary in each round.

Supplies for the Russian spiral rope:

• 3x3 mm fire-polished Czech beads in three colors to create a smooth color wave: color A, color B and color C
• suggestion: choose color B in 'stronger' more pronounced shade
• 11/0 seed beads in a contrasting color to accentuate the spiral shape
• needle, thread and scissors
• toggle and beading mat.

Weaving instructions for the Russian spiral rope:

• pick up 2x seed beads, 1x color A, 2x seed beads, 1x color B, 2x seed beads, 1x color C

• leave a generous tail thread of about 15 to 20 cm
• create a circle by going back thru all the beads and continue moving on till the middle of the second pair of seed beads

• to summarize, go thru all the beads and thru the 4 following beads

• round 2: pick up 1x color B and 2x seed beads and skip a seed bead and fire-polished bead to pass the needle thru the first seed bead of the next pair of seed beads in order to reach the middle of that pair of seed beads

• push the beads upwards and tighten your thread
• pick up 1x color C and 2x seed beads and pass the needle thru the 1^st seed bead of the following pair, this corresponds to the seed bead behind the fire-polished bead, to reach the middle of that pair of seed beads

SEE part 2

CONTINUATION: the Russian Spiral Stitch

• pick up 1x color A and 2x seed beads and pass the needle thru the first seed bead behind the fire-polished bead

• check that you have lined up a fire-polished bead on top of the previous round in the same color, but slightly offset/diagonal
• as you may notice, you always pick up the fire-polished bead in the color of the next bead beneath it
• to access the next round, you will make an easy 2 bead step-up by going thru the next fire-polished bead and seed bead which are situated slightly higher

• notice also, that due to the step-up, you will skip a color in the series to start the next round, so check always that you pick up the color of the bead ahead
• round 3: having reached the middle of a pair of seed beads, you pick up 1x color C and 2x seed beads and go thru the first seed bead of the next set

• pick up 1x color A and 2x seed beads and go thru the first seed bead of the next set
• pick up 1x color B and 2x seed beads and go thru the first seed bead of the next set
• make the step-up by going thru the next fire-polished bead and the seed bead behind it
• up till now, you have applied the following color scheme for the fire-polished bead: A-B-C, B-C-A, C-A-B – you will repeat this scheme throughout your work

• to start the 4th round, skip a color in the series and pick up 1x color A and 2 seed beads
• the color scheme of the 4th round is identical to the one of the 1st round
• to start the 5th round, skip a color in the series and pick up 1x color B and 2 seed beads
• continue until you reach the desired length and stop after you made a step-up
• attach a toggle with seed beads in three points of the top of the rope to center it correctly
• and enjoy!

Choose your beads and findings @ http://dunebeads.com/en/czech-fire-polished-round-beads !

Do not forget: practice makes perfect. Happy day, see you soon!