Take Your Beadwork to the Next Level
Spiral rope, or spiral rope chain is a popular beading technique that is great for beginners and experts alike. The basic stitch is simple to do, and incredibly easy to adapt, allowing for endless design possiblities.
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.
For more details on beading terms, techniques and useful hints, please visit the beading tutorial website: The Sage's Encyclopedia.
Browse by Project
Basic Spiral Rope
The Bare Bones Technique
Size 11o or 10o seed beads in two colors (A and B)
Beading Thread
Beading Needle
Scissors
Note: The Color A beads will become the core of the spiral, and the Color B beads will make up the spiral rows. These directions use 3 beads in the core chain. If more beads are used, be sure they are large enough to take an equal number of thread passes.
1) Pick up 4 Color A beads and 4 Color B beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
2) Stitch back up through the Color A beads and pull tight. You should now have two stacks of beads side-by-side.
3) Pick up one A bead and four B beads.
4) Stitch into the main beadwork through the top 3 core (Color A) beads . Pull tight.
5) Stitch through the last A bead added and pull tight.
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 Variations
Change up the basic spiral rope
- Use larger beads in the core row, spiral rows, or both.
- Increase the number of beads in the spiral rows, one at a time, then decrease to create an undulating spiral.
- Include charms or drops in the spiral rows at regular intervals, or just use one in the center for a focal piece.
- Create 3 or more small ropes and braid them together.
Seed Beads
Try these exciting colors for your spiral rope chain.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Chunky Spiral Rope
A Random Bead Variation
Materials Needed:Size 10o or 11o seed beads in one color (A)
Seed bead mixture, including different sizes and colors of beads (B)
Beading Thread
Beading Needle
Scissors
1) Pick up 4 color A beads and 6-10 B beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
2) Stitch back up through the A beads and pull tight.
3) Pick up one A and 6-10 B beads.
4) Stitch into the main beadwork through the top 4 core (Color A) beads . Pull tight.
5) Stitch through the last A bead added and pull tight.
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.
Bead Mixtures
Try stirring up some beautiful Japanese beads for a chaotic and beautiful necklace or bracelet.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand bySpirals and Spikes
Soft Spikes Add Interest
Materials Needed:Size 11o or 10o seed beads in 2 or more colors
Drop beads
Beading Thread
Beading Needles
Scissors
1) Pick up 6 core color beads and 6 spiral color beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
2) Stitch back up through the core beads and pull tight.
3) Pick up one core bead and 6 spiral beads. Stitch into the beadwork through the top 5 core beads. Pull tight.
4) Stitch through the last core bead added and pull tight.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 five times.
5) Pick up one core bead, 3 spiral beads, one drop bead, and 3 spiral beads.
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.
Drop Beads
Try these exciting colors for a soft, spiky necklace or choker.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byPattern Ideas
Try adapting these patterns for simple spiral ropes
Daisy Pattern
Add flowers to a basic spiral rope
Size 10o or 11o seed beads in:
Dark Green
Pale Green
White
Yellow
Beading Thread
Beading Needle
Scissors
1) Pick up 5 dark green and 5 pale green beads. Slide them down the thread, leaving an 8 inch tail.
2) Stitch back up through the dark green beads and pull tight.
3) Pick up one dark green, one pale green, two white and two pale green beads.
4) Stitch back up through the top 4 dark green beads in the core and pull tight.
5) Stitch up through the last dark green bead added and pull tight.
6) For the next row, pick up: one dark green, one pale green, one white, one yellow, one white and one pale green bead.
7) Repeat steps 4 and 5.
8) For the next row, pick up: one dark green, two pale green, two white, and one pale green bead.
9) Repeat steps 4 and 5 to complete the set.
Continue adding sets of four rows to creating a spiral daisy pattern. When the rope is the desired length, finish the ends, secure tail threads and trim.
Daisy Beads
Designer Spiral Rope Ideas
- 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.
Beading Basics
If you're new to the art of beading, spiral rope is a great way to jump in and discover a new craft! To get started with seed bead weaving, find some great tips and resources on Beading and Beyond.
-
Variety Beading: Christmas Projects
-
When the holidays are approaching, images of snowmen and decorated trees are everywhere. If you enjoy creating your own custom holiday decorations, jewelry or accessories, then Christmas Beading is for you. Using beads in a few classic Holiday color...
-
A Sage's Cupboard : An Introduction to Beading and Beyond
-
Beadweaving is an art form that grows in popularity every year. There are dozens of different styles and techniques of beadwork that one can master and apply to fashion, home decor, and more. In this introduction to beading, we will discuss the origi...
Variety and Inspiration
What's your favorite spiral rope variation? Please feel free to leave feedback about Variety Beading, and don't forget to rate the Spiral Rope lens. If you're not already a Squidoo member, join today and create your own lens!
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
Beads come in so many shapes and sizes. I love the work you do with them.
Posted September 30, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
Beads come in so many shapes and sizes. I love the work you do with them.
Posted September 30, 2008
Pastiche wrote...
Oh,the patience you must have - and the eyesight - to create wonderful beaded jewelry. 5*s,'rolled to Holiday Crafts on Squidoo, and emailed to my craft-designer bead-and-button-maniac DD.
Posted September 03, 2008
Browse by Project
Beading Spiral Chains and More
Seed Bead Chains (Easy-Does-It)
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 11/19/2008)
Readers all agree that simple, step-by-step instructions are the key to learning sprial 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.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Usually ships in 24 hours
