Beading Tutorials: Daisy Chain

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Surround Yourself with Beaded Flowers

The daisy chain stitch is one of the most basic beading techniques available for bead weavers. It is often the first experience crafters have with beading, and is even a common activity for groups like Girl Guides and summer camps.

There are many different ways to create tiny flowers with beads, and the techniques used can also be adapted to make interesting chain variations. This beading resource offers some easy to follow tutorials for mastering the daisy chain stitch, as well as some popular variations for beginners and experts.

Gerbera Rainbow


"Gerbera Rainbow"

Origins of the Daisy Chain 

A Brief History

Daisy Chain HeartSimple garlands of flowers have been used throughout history as decoration by many different cultures.

In Ancient Egypt, many tomb carvings and paintings depicted members of royal families wearing flower garlands before and after burial. Until 2006, no such garlands had ever been found intact during tomb excavations.

The first discovery of an Egyptian floral necklace was made in the Valley of Kings near the tomb of Tutankhamum. Ironically, this unique find was part of an enormous collection of artifacts that contained not a single mummy.

The daisy is one of the most commonly used flowers for garlands, particularly in North America and Europe. This simple white and yellow flower is associated with innocence and modesty. Many superstitions and traditions surround the daisy, including the well known practice of plucking petals to determine if a person returns one's affection. The daisy is also thought to be a sign of spring.

Creating chains or garlands with daisy flowers is a cherished past-time for many young girls and even boys. To create such a chain, the stems of the flowers are split in the centre, allowing another daisy to be threaded through. Once enough flowers have been added, a daisy chain can be worn as a necklace or crown.

Beads are a wonderful way to recreate this simple and beautiful adornment at any time of the year, and without bugs!

Classic Daisy Chain 

An Easy Technique

Assorted Daisy ChainsThis is the traditional daisy chain stitch that many people remember from their childhood. Each flower is spaced by a row of beads, imitating a real chain of daisies. These directions use the classic daisy chain colors. Adapt the design to your tastes by using different shades and colors of beads.

Materials:

Seed beads in Green, White and Yellow
Beading Thread
Needle
Jump rings
Clasp

Stitching:

Step 1) Attach a stop-bead to a comfortable length of thread, leaving a 6 inch tail.



Step 2) Pick up 3 green beads and 6 white beads, and slide them down to the stop-bead.



Step 3) Stitch back up through the first white bead in the stack, and pull tight to form a ring of white beads.



Daisy Chain Tutorial



Step 4) Pick up one yellow bead, and stitch through the white bead on the opposite side of the ring. There should be two white beads on either side of the beads in the thread path.



Step 5) Pull the thread snug and make sure that the yellow bead is secure inside the white ring.

Repeat steps 2-5 until the chain is the desired length.



Daisy Chain Tutorial



Finishing:

1) To make a continuous chain, remove the stop-bead and sew into the beadwork, tying a knot inside the first two or three flowers. Trim the excess thread, and repeat with the tail thread, stitching in the opposite direction.



2) For a short necklace or bracelet, finish the ends with bead loops, then attach jump rings and a clasp.



Daisy


"Daisy" by Craig Tuttle


Daisy Beads 

The most common colors used with daisy chain stitch mimic flowers such as Daisies, Brown-Eyed-Susans, Sunflowers and Violets.

Try some of these traditional colors in your next floral project.

Continuous Daisy Chain 

A Variation

Red and Black Daisy ChainThis technique uses the same type of daisy stitch as the classic chain, but does not include 'stems' to separate the flowers. This style is only slightly more difficult, and it is important to maintain even tension to make sure that the flowers are even with no spaces between beads.

These directions use a daisy and brown-eyed-susan pattern. Adapt the design to your tastes by using different shades and colors of beads.

Materials:

Seed beads in white, yellow and brown.
Beading Thread
Needle
Jump rings
Clasp

Stitching:

Step1) Attach a stop-bead to a comfortable length of thread, leaving a 6 inch tail.



Step 2) Pick up 6 white beads and slide them down to the stop-bead.

Stitch up through the first white bead, and pull tight to form a ring.



Step 3) Pick up one yellow bead, and stitch through the white bead on the opposite side of the ring. There should be two white beads on either side of the beads in the thread path.



Step 4) Pull the thread snug and make sure that the yellow bead is secure inside the white ring.



Step5) Pick up 6 yellow beads and slide them down. Stitch up through the first bead again. Pull tight.



Daisy Chain Tutorial



Step 6)Pick up 1 brown bead and stitch through the yellow bead on the opposite side of the yellow ring. Pull snug to form the flower.

Repeat steps 2-6 until the chain is the desired length.



Daisy Chain Tutorial



Finishing:

1) To make a continuous chain, remove the stop-bead and sew into the beadwork, tying knots along the flowers. Trim excess thread and repeat with the tail thread, stitching in the opposite direction.



2) For a short necklace or bracelet, finish the ends with bead loops, then attach jump rings and a clasp.



Margherite Danzanti


"Margherite Danzanti"

The Best Daisy Chain 

Now that you're ready to start beading your own daisy chains, which variation are you going to try first?

Which one do you remember from your childhood?

If you're already beader, which daisy chain do you like to use most?

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Criss-Cross Daisy Chain 

For Advanced Beaders

Criss-Cross Daisy ChainsThis method uses alternating rows of two and three beads, rather than loops, to create flower shapes. The technique can be confusing at first, but after completing a few stitches, the steps become fairly intuitive.

A visual aid can really help to master this daisy chain. Try drawing your pattern on a scrap of paper for reference when you begin. It is also important to think of the beadwork not only as flowers, but of rows of beads as well.


Materials:


Seed beads in 3 or more colors
Beading thread
Beading needle




Stitching:


Step 1) Attach a stop bead to a comfortable length of thread, leaving a 6 inch tail. Pick up 1 color A bead, 1 B, and 3 A, and slide them down to the stop bead. Stitch back through the first bead added.






Step 2) Pick up 2 A beads, and stitch through the third seed bead added in Step 1.






Step 3) Pick up 1 color C bead, 1 A and 1 C. Stitch up through the top A bead in the previous row (bead #4 from step 1). Pull snug.






Step 4) Pick up 1 C bead and 1 A bead. Stitch down through the A bead picked up in Step 3.






Step 5) Pick up 2 color A beads and 1 C. Stitch up through the top A in the previous row. Pull snug.






Step 6) Pick up 2 color A beads, and stitch through the second A bead picked up in Step 5.



Step 7) Continue adding flowers, repeating Steps 3-5. When the chain reaches the desired length, finish the ends as desired, secure the tail threads with a few knots between beads, and trim.



Daisies


"Daisies" by Masao Ota


Criss-Cross Hearts 

A Variation

Heart Daisy ChainLike right angle weave, the criss-cross daisy chain can be increased by adding additional rows, incorporating beads from the previous stitches. By adapting the pattern used, tiny hearts emerge in place of flowers.

Materials:

Seed beads in white and red
Beading thread
Beading needle

Stitching:

Step 1) Begin by creating a daisy chain of the desired length. Use the following pattern to create one half of the hearts:





Step 2) Weave around and exit the red bead from the last 3-bead row. Pick up 5 white beads, and stitch through the first bead picked up, as well as the red bead from the previous row again.





Step 3) Continue adding beads normally, substituting one bead from the previous row for each 2-bead row. These beads are shown in gray in the pattern for completing the heart shape:





Step 4) To add three or more rows, you will need to weave through the beadwork, so that the working thread is facing away from the beads at the starting position. Remember that if you flip your work and stitch from left to right, the patterns will be reversed.



A Heart Made Out of Daisies


"A Heart Made Out of Daisies"

Beaded Flowers 

With the most complete collection of bead woven flower patterns available, this stitching guide is a must-have for all seed bead lovers.

Author Diane Fitzgerald offers up her beading talents in this tutorial guide. She is well known for her extraordinary beading kits and books.

The Beaded Garden: Creating Flowers with Beads and Thread

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 07/10/2009)Buy Now



Learn to use and combine techniques such as right angle weave, brick stitch, peyote, netting, and herringbone to create a variety of gorgeous bead flowers.

This helpful beading guide features over 25 stunning projects including roses, water lilies, poppies, and orchids.

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Swarovski Daisy Chain Variation 

This fun twist on the daisy chain was created by Auntie's Beads.

Part one of the tutorial features details on the materials used, and the formation of beaded clusters which will make up this dainty bracelet.

To connect the bead clusters into a chain, see Daisy Chain Variation Part II.
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Multi-strand Daisy Chain Bracelet 

Use Your Favorite Stitch

Multi-strand Daisy BraceletThis fun bracelet can be made with any style of daisy chain. Experiment with different colors and patterns for an interesting floral accessory.

Matierals:

Size 10o or 11o seed beads in three or more colors
2 size 6o seed beads
Clasp
Beading thread
Beading needle

Stitching:

Step 1) Create three daisy chains that are about 6 inches long, leaving a 6 inch tail thread at either end.



Step 2) On one tail thread, pick up 3 seed beads, a 6o bead, 4 seed beads, one half of the clasp, and 4 seed beads. Slide them down to the beadwork.



Step 3) Stitch back down through the 6o bead, the first 3 seed beads, and into the daisy chain. Pull the thread tight, and make sure all of the beads are snug.





Step 4) Weave through the daisy chain and secure the thread with a few knots. Trim the excess.



Step 5) Repeat for the other end of the chain.



Step 6) Pick up a second daisy chain and thread the needle. Pick up 3 seed beads, and stitch up into the 6o seed bead at one end of the first chain.





Step 7) Weave through the bead loop and clasp, and stitch back down into the daisy chain. Secure the thread and trim.

Repeat for the other end of the chain.



Step 8)Add the third daisy chain in the same manner, picking up 3 new seed beads at each end.

Secure the threads and trim.

Designer Daisy Chains 

Daisies


"Daisies"



Try some of these more advanced projects that use the daisy chain stitch.
Off-set Daisy Chain
Skill Level: Beginner

This seven-petal version of daisy chain also uses a variety of different sized beads for an interesting contrast.

Materials: Seed beads and thread


Holly Berry Chain
Skill Level: Intermediate:

By combining daisy chain with leaf fringe, you can create a chain of lush foliage. In this project, red beads are used to turn the daisy flowers into berries.

Materials: Seed beads, thread and clasp


Ruby's Daisy Variation
Skill Level: Beginner

This floral chain uses small stitched components that are linked together to complete the piece. Created by Ruby Fischer.

Materials: 4mm rounds, 8mm rounds, seed beads, thread and clasp


Daisies and Cubes
Skill Level: Intermediate

Another great variation from Ruby Fischer, this technique uses cubes and pearls with seed beads for an interesting look.

Materials: 4mm cubes, 4mm rounds, seed beads


Embellished Daisies
Skill Level: Intermediate

Using an eight petal daisy chain variation, create a variety bracelets with your own personal touch.
Published by Ruby Fischer.
Daisy Elegance
Skill Level: Intermediate

This necklace pattern is a beautiful variation of daisy chain.
Published by Bead and Button Magazine.
Love Bird Necklace
Skill Level: Beginner

Use seed bead daisies to embellish a chain necklace. Published by Beading Daily and Beadwork Magazine.

Materials: Seed beads, pearls, silk cord, chain


Daisy Chain Ring 

This video tutorial demonstrates how to use the Swarovski daisy chain variation created by Auntie's Beads designer Karla Schafer, to create a ring.
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A Beaded Garden 

This detailed floral beading guide includes several Russian style beading designs for jewelry and home decor.

Author Varvara Konstantinov is a talented beader and jewelry designer.

My Beaded Garden

Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 07/10/2009)Buy Now



Learn to combine coralling or fringe with other beading stitches such as peyote and netting, to create twelve different floral necklaces.

This indepth guide explains how to adapt and expand on the designs to create unique jewelry or beaded flowers for home decor.

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Enhance Your Beading Skills 

These additional lenses can help you to broaden your beading repertoire and experience new techniques and styles of beadwork.

Comments 

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What's your favorite daisy chain variation?

Please feel free to leave feedback or questions about Beading Tutorials: Daisy Chain. If you need help with any of these tutorials, you are welcome to contact the author.


lacecrochet wrote...

Compelling lens! Made me start to get excited again about the bead stash I have in my craft cupboard. I used to bead all the time as a kid. Thanks for the inspiration.

ReplyPosted June 13, 2009

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

Beautiful beads.
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy

ReplyPosted May 16, 2009

dvirtualist wrote...

I love all your lenses and I'm crazy about seed beads!

ReplyPosted May 15, 2009

AppalachianCountry wrote...

Wonderful lens. Weremember doing this as a child, but didn't realized how far back the that it went. Thank-you for showing such beautiful bead work. We enjoyed it.

ReplyPosted May 15, 2009

Nara wrote...

Great lens. I have tried doing beading,but I just can't get it. Maybe it's just not for me. I can make pine needle baskets and sometimes I add beads. Thanks again for this great lens.

ReplyPosted April 01, 2009

 
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