Create Your Own Peyote Stitch Patterns

by Julia Wigham

Our fascination with creating a fabric by stitching or weaving tiny beads together is not new. The Egyptians created burial garments using peyote stitch patterns over 4000 years ago! The technique got its name from the Native American’s who created beaded items for ceremonial events. Over the years the techniques have changed although the name has stayed the same.

Nowadays beaded jewellery, such as necklaces, earrings and bracelets are often made by following peyote stitch patterns. The beader is not limited to flat pieces of work, it is possible to create three dimensional items by working around an object, such as a cardboard roll or bottle, known a as “form”. A variation called tubular peyote stitch is used for these projects.

Peyote stitch patterns look similar to counted cross stitch patterns and use the same grid patterns. Many uncomplicated cross stitch patterns can be converted into peyote stitch patterns; however, due to the complex nature of using beads the patterns must be simple.

The peyote stitch pattern is emphasized in many different craft books. “Bead & Button Magazine” published the craft book, “The Best of Bead & Button Magazine: Peyote Stitch Beading Projects” which highlights the peyote stitch pattern and includes 18 different jewelry patterns for lariats, necklaces and pins. The book provides detailed instructions on various stitches and also has several variations of the wonder beads, or “beaded beads” as the book refers to them.

Various crafters have contributed projects using the peyote stitch to the book, “Beaded Pictures: Charts and Instructions for Beadweaving.” The book has a wide variety of peyote stitch patterns and includes everything from animals and floral patterns to geometric patterns, seasonal items and even has patterns of different people.

“Knitting with Beads: 35 Beautiful Sweaters, Scarves, Hats and Gloves” details many different beading projects. The main peyote stitch project is a peyote stitch tunic marked as a challenging project in the book. A book that ties back to the Native American tradition with the peyote stitch pattern is “Native American Beadwork: Projects and Techniques from the Southwest.” “Creative Cloth Doll Making” is a book that shows how to combine the peyote stitch beading with several other craft techniques.

The peyote stitch is a creative combination of both older African traditions and Native American traditions with current crafting trends to create an original and unique stitch. The versatility peyote stitch patterns provide make the peyote sti tch an excellent choice for variety and interest in many different craft projects including jewelry, accessories, apparel and even small framed pieces used when decorating.

About the Author:

Julia Wigham is a professional author and co-owner of Patterns Patch cross stitch forums. An online cross stitch community whose members get free: patterns, articles and tutorials. Visit our lively => cross stitch blogs today!