Beading Tutorials: Spiral Rope
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How to Create Beadwork Spiral Chains
Starting with a basic spiral rope chain, change the number, size or type of beads to create beautiful jewelry, accessories, decorations and more. Use this guide to enhance your beading skills and learn about the variety of beading.
Basic Spiral Rope Tutorial
The Bare Bones Technique
Materials Needed:
Size 11o or 10o seed beads in two colors (A and B)
Beading Thread
Beading Needle
Scissors

Step 1) Pick up 4 Color A beads and 4 Color B beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
Step 2) Stitch back up through the Color A beads and pull tight. You should now have two stacks of beads side-by-side.
Step 3) Pick up one A bead and four B beads.

Step 4) Stitch into the main beadwork through the top 3 core (Color A) beads . Pull tight.

Step 5) Stitch through the last A bead added and pull tight.
Step 6) Repeat steps 3-5 until the rope is the desired length. Finish the ends as desired, secure threads and trim.
Adding and ending thread:
With about 6 inches of working thread remaining at the end of Step 4, stitch back into the last stack of Color B beads added, and follow the thread path into the core. Stitch back through the beadwork, tieing knots along the spiral if desired.
Attach a stop-bead to the new thread, leaving a six inch tail. Stitch into the core beads, at least 6 beads away from the end of the rope. Exit the last core bead and stitch into the Color A bead remaining from the last stitch. Continue stitching as before. (Steps 3-5 above.)
Basic Spiral Rope Chain Variations
Change up the basic spiral rope
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Use larger beads in the core row, spiral rows, or both.
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Increase the number of beads in the spiral rows, one at a time, then decrease to create an undulating spiral.
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Include charms or drops in the spiral rows at regular intervals, or just use one in the center for a focal piece.
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Create 3 or more small ropes and braid them together.
Chunky Bead Soup Spiral Rope
A Random Bead Variation
This free-form style of spiral rope is great for using up beads left-over from other projects. If you are using large or heavy beads such as firepolish or stones, it is recommended that you stitch with a braided line such as Fireline 6 or 8 pound test.In the spiral rows, it is recommened that you use a maximum of 10 beads for the best drape. If you are using larger beads for the core row, or a greater number of beads, you can increase the number of B's used. Bugle beads count as 4-5 seed beads.
Materials Needed:
Size 10o or 11o seed beads in one color (A)
Seed bead mixture, including different sizes, styles and colors of beads (B)
Beading Thread
Beading Needle
Step 1) Pick up 4 color A beads and 6 or more B beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
Step 2) Stitch back up through the A beads and pull tight.
Step 3) Pick up one A and 6 or more B beads.
Step 4) Stitch into the main beadwork through the top 4 core (Color A) beads . Pull tight.
Step 5) Stitch through the last A bead added and pull tight.
Step 6) Repeat steps 3-5 until the rope is the desired length. Vary the number of B beads in each row, if desired, to create an even more eclectic look.
Finish the ends as desired, secure threads and trim.
Tip:
If you use bugle beads in your spiral rows, prevent the threads from fraying by using seed beads as bumpers.
The more seed beads you add on either side of the bugles, the nicer the beads will drape along the spiral.
Large Crystal Bead Spiral Rope
Spiral Rope with Spikes or Drops
Soft Spikes Add Interest
In this variation of spiral rope, drop beads are used in the spiral rows to create texture. By placing them at even intervals, the rope will be supported on the drops like tiny feet.Materials Needed:
Size 11o or 10o seed beads in 2 or more colors
Drop beads
Beading Thread
Beading Needles
Scissors
Step 1) Pick up 6 core color beads and 6 spiral color beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
Step 2) Stitch back up through the core beads and pull tight.
Step 3) Pick up one core bead and 6 spiral beads. Stitch into the beadwork through the top 5 core beads. Pull tight.
Step 4) Stitch through the last core bead added and pull tight.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 five times.
Step 5) Pick up one core bead, 3 spiral beads, one drop bead, and 3 spiral beads.
Step 6) Stitch up into the beadwork through the top 5 core beads and pull tight.
Continue adding rows in this manner, with a drop bead on every sixth row, until the rope is the desired length. Finish the ends as desired, secure threads and trim.
Beaded Spiral Pattern Ideas
Try adapting these patterns for simple spiral ropes

Beaders may copy or print the above patterns for personal use.
Simply right-click on the picture for options.
Daisy Pattern Spiral Rope
Add flowers to a basic spiral rope
Materials Needed:Size 10o or 11o seed beads in:
Dark Green
Pale Green
White
Yellow
Beading Thread
Beading Needle
Step 1) Pick up 5 dark green and 5 pale green beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
Step 2) Stitch back up through the dark green beads and pull tight.
Step 3) Pick up one dark green, one pale green, two white and two pale green beads.
Step 4) Stitch back up through the top 4 dark green beads in the core and pull tight.
Step 5) Stitch up through the last dark green bead added and pull tight.
Step 6) For the next row, pick up: one dark green, one pale green, one white, one yellow, one white and one pale green bead.
Step 7) Repeat steps 4 and 5.
For the next row, pick up: one dark green, two pale green, two white, and one pale green bead.
Step 8) Repeat steps 4 and 5 to complete the set.
Continue adding sets of four rows to create a spiral daisy pattern. When the rope is the desired length, finish the ends, secure tail threads and trim.
For more beaded daisy ideas, visit Beading Tutorials: Daisy Chain
Designer Spiral Rope Ideas
These variations of spiral rope stitch are available to members of the Bead and Button Magazine forums. With free membership, you can browse through publications to find the project that's right for you!
- Freshwater Pearl Necklace
- Combine freshwater pearls, fire-polished beads, and seed beads for a fashionable necklace that you can make in just one day!
- Double Core Spiral Bracelet
- Expose the core beads in this updated version of spiral rope, and embellish with bugle beads, crystals, glass, or gemstones.
- New Spin Spiral Rope
- Use pearl and crystal loops in a spiral rope variation for a pretty bracelet.
- Double Spiral Rope
- Learn the basics of the double spiral technique, which is great for bead mixtures and soups!
Beading Spiral Chains and More
Some other types of spiral beading include:
Dutch Spiral, Celinni Spiral, Russian Spiral and Flat Spiral.
Seed Bead Chains (Easy-Does-It)
Amazon Price: $4.06 (as of 02/16/2012)![]()
Readers all agree that simple, step-by-step instructions are the key to learning spiral rope and other beadweaving techniques to create chains of beautiful beads. Even if other stitches have had you frustrated, these techniques are easy to pick up, and easy to fall in love with.
Flat Spiral Stitch Tutorial
The technique uses seed beads and crystals or other beads in two sizes. The stitch is very simple and creates a gorgeous band of looping beads.
This video also shows the half-hitch knot technique used to add and end thread in most types of beadweaving.
You can create connected bands of flat spiral for wider bracelets. See Flat Spiral Stitch Row Two. A third video demonstrates adding a double-hole clasp to the ends for a bracelet.
More Fun and Easy Beading Techniques
Beadwork Inspiration

I offer many other beading tutorials and tips on my blog Inspirational Beading. Weekly articles also include interviews with bead and jewelry artists, selections of inspired crafts from around the community, and examples of how to follow an idea into a finished piece of beadwork.
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Comments
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Traceeshobbies
Jan 11, 2012 @ 7:42 pm | delete
- I'm going to try some of these ideas. Thanks
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Lori S
Dec 30, 2011 @ 10:48 pm | delete
- Excellent collection of wonderful tutorial! Thanks for your generosity!
Lori
Capturedbylori.com
Facebook/capturedbylori
Artfire.com/users/capturedbylori
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BusyMOM
Dec 19, 2011 @ 3:03 pm | delete
- I love this one. Your work is beautiful.
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Todayhaspower Dec 6, 2011 @ 5:18 pm | delete
- Great lens. Awesome tutorial. Kudos to you. :)
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StephenC
Jul 1, 2011 @ 3:36 pm | delete
- Great beading tutorial. Nice lens.
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Return to Projects
- Basic Spiral Rope Tutorial
- Basic Spiral Rope Chain Variations
- Chunky Bead Soup Spiral Rope
- Large Crystal Bead Spiral Rope
- Spiral Rope with Spikes or Drops
- Beaded Spiral Pattern Ideas
- Daisy Pattern Spiral Rope
- Designer Spiral Rope Ideas
- Beading Spiral Chains and More
- Flat Spiral Stitch Tutorial
- Beadwork Inspiration
by Mortira
Variety Beading spotlights beading techniques for beginners and experts alike.
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