How To Make A Twisted Herringbone Bracelet

Just finished this tutorial for a friend who is making lots of pretty bracelets and wanted to learn the Twisted Herringbone stitch.

So… I thought I would share it with you in case you have been wanting to learn too.

You start off with three rounds of the basic Tubular Herringbone stitch. If you don’t know how to make it, do a Google search or check YouTube.

I’ll begin my tutorial at the point the tube is formed and you start stitching the twisted part. And my tutorial shows you how to attach a store bought clasp. Nothing fancy (like mine) to scare you off. 😀

To begin, here are the supplies you will need.

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TWISTED HERRINGBONE BRACELET TUTORIAL

Supplies Needed

Size 8/0 Seed Beads (SB)
Color 1 brown
Color 2 cream
Color 3 burgundy

Beading thread. Fireline, Wildfire or Nymo
Beading needle size 10 (flexible is best)
Nipper tool
Ruler/tape measure/yard stick
Toggle clasp or clasp of your choice
Bead stopper

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Getting started. Cut 4 yards of beading thread. Thread needle. Put a bead stopper on one end, leaving a 12″ tail (will be used to sew clasp). Do not knot either end. Will be using the entire length of thread.

STEP A: TUBULAR HERRINGBONE STITCH

You will begin with 3 rounds of tubular herringbone stitch sewing counterclockwise. (If you don’t know how to make it, do a Google search or check YouTube.)

STEP B: TWISTED HERRINGBONE STITCH

Pull tightly on beadwork to form tube. Rest of bracelet will be worked in tube form.

You should have three columns. One in each color. Stacks of 3 SB’s.

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Round 1

Pick up two Color 1 (brown).

Sew down into next single SB (brown) and UP through two SB’s IN THE NEXT COLUMN (cream column).

Round 2

Pick up two Color 2 (cream).

Sew down into next single SB (cream) and up through two SB’s in the next column (burgundy column).

Round 3

Pick up two Color 3 (burgundy).

Sew down into next single SB (burgundy).

And now… IMPORTANT… to finish this row…

Go up through THREE SB’s in the next column (brown column).

You have just completed one row of Twisted Herringbone.

Check your beadwork to make sure thread is where it should be and is tight.

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STEP C: CONTINUE BEADING HERRINGBONE TUBE

Repeat Rounds 1 through 3 in STEP B until you reach your desired bracelet length. Allow 1 to 1 1/2″ for clasp. Beadwork should NOT reach tip to tip around your wrist.

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Extra Notes and Tips

• Needles:  Using a flexible needle is best. It will allow you to go “down and up” with one stroke.
• Seed beads:  Select seed beads with the same size so column height will match up.
• Around the 5th or 6th row, you will see beadwork begin to twist.

This is how it looks at the 2 inch mark.

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Step D: Adding Clasp To The LOOP Portion Of The Toggle

There are many ways to add a clasp. And many types of clasp. This is just a quick and easy way of doing it.

Pinch one end of the bracelet flat between your fingers.

Line up the 6 SB’s. 3 to the front and 3 to the back. Thread should exit one of the center SB’s. Front or back, doesn’t matter.

You will use four (4) size 8/0 seed beads for this step.

A. Pick up one size 8/0 SB (color is your choice) and go through the round hole on the bottom of the “loop” half of the toggle.

Continue to the OPPOSITE side. Match up with the center bead opposite you.

Go down 4 SB’s in this stack.

Do a “U” turn and come go UP 4 SB’s in the stack to the right of it. (Make sure thread is hidden between the beads, pull tight.)

B. Pick up one SB (same color you selected in A).

Go through the round hole on the bottom of the “loop” half of the toggle.

Now go down 4 SB’s in the next column.

Do a “U” and go UP 4 SB’s in the stack to the right of it.

C. Pick up one SB (same color you selected in A).

Go through the round hole on the bottom of the “loop” half of the toggle.

Now go down 4 SB’s in the next column, do U turn to the stack to the right of it.

Go up 4 SB’s.

Now go through the round hole on the bottom of the “loop” half of the toggle.

It may look messy but weave in and out around the area to tighten it up and “clean” it up. Add extra beads or, if desired, create a fringe with tiny seed beads to cover the “hole”.

That completes one half of the clasp.

Experiment with different clasps and different number of seed beads for different looks.

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Step E: Adding Clasp To The BAR Portion Of The Toggle

Pinch the end of the bracelet flat between your fingers.

Line up the 6 SB’s. 3 to the front and 3 to the back. Just as you did for the LOOP portion. Thread should exit one of the center SB’s. Front or back, doesn’t matter.

You will use ten (10) size 8/0 seed beads for this step.

D. Pick up 5 SB’s and go through the round hole on the bottom of the “bar” half of the toggle, and pick up 5 more SB’s.

Continue on to the opposite side of this bead. Go down 4 SB’s in this stack.

And wouldn’t you know it!! The last picture showing the “U” turn and back up to the top is blurred. But you know what to do. You’ve done it before. 😀

Tighten up the beads, add extra beads, add a fringe. Do whatever you wish to finish up.

Before doing too much weaving in and out, test the toggle to make sure the bar end smoothly goes through the loop end. You may have to add more than the 10 beads or use less. Try bracelet on BEFORE cutting thread.

Thanks for making my bracelet.

THE END……

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I like to make my own beaded clasp so for this bracelet I sewed two open triangles together. One triangle made with the three seed bead colors and a triangle for the back in solid brown. I added a button to the other end.