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| Double bugle bead chain necklace |
This easy beaded chain uses bugle beads and seed beads stitched together in a variation of right angle weave. It's a sturdy beaded chain that makes a beautiful and delicate beaded necklace or bracelet, and also works well as a beaded amulet bag strap or eyeglass chain. An advantage to using bugle beads is how quick this chain is to stitch - with each bugle bead adding the length of 4-5 seed beads - so there are less beads to pick up.
Double Bugle Bead Chain Materials
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| Double bugle bead chain necklace materials |
For an 18 inch beaded chain, you will need the following beads and materials:
- 6mm bugle beads
- size 11 round seed beads
- size 15 round seed beads
- a clasp of your choice
- 6 lb FireLine (or other fishing line type) beading thread
- beading needle
Before beginning this project, sort through your bugle beads to remove any beads with sharp, jagged or broken edges. These may eventually cut through your beading thread. You may be able file off the sharp edges using a nail file. If you plan to file the bead, wet it to reduce creating air born glass dust particles.
Making a Bead Chain Unit
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| Beads for the first bugle bead chain unit |
Add a stop bead about 8 inches from the end of your thread. Pick up your beads in the following order:
- 1 size 11 seed bead (aqua)
- 1 size 15 bead (yellow)
- 1 bugle bead (black)
- 1 size 15 bead (yellow)
- 1 size 11 bead (aqua)
- 1 size 15 bead (yellow)
- 1 bugle bead (black)
- 1 size 15 bead (yellow)
Stitch back through the first size 11 bead you strung at the beginning of this step.
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| Beads joined for the first bugle bead chain component |
Pull the thread through all of the beads until the two bugle beads line up next to each other.
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| Shaping bugle bead and seed bead component |
Now put your needle through the first size 15 and bugle bead you picked up.
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| Joining bugle beads together with thread |
Skip the next 3 beads (size 15, size 11 and size 15) and pass down through the second bugle bead.
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| Joining bugle beads with square stitch |
Pass up through the first bugle bead and the size 15 bead then pull snugly so that the bugle beads line up next to each other. *Note that I flipped the bead unit in the picture above
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Complete first unit of the bugle bead chain
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Stitch back through the next size 11 bead and you have completed the first unit of your bead chain.
Adding the Next Bead Sections
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| Bugle and seed beads for the next chain unit |
For each section of the bead chain, pick up the same set of beads as detailed above.
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| Add new section of beads to bugle bead chain |
Stitch back through the size 11 bead.
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| Align bugle beads |
Pull the thread so the bugle beads align side by side and the stitch back through the size 15 seed bead and the first bugle bead of the set you just added. Skipping the 3 seed beads, stitch back down the other bugle bead and up the first bugle bead to keep them connected.
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| Complete the beaded component |
Finish the component by stitching through the size 15 and size 11 seed bead.
Remember to always make a thread pass through just the bugles to make sure that they snug up against each other. Continue adding beads in the same order and stitching the components in the same manner until the chain is your desired length.
Attach the Clasp to your Chain
When your chain is close to your desired length, it is time to add the clasp. (Remember to factor in the size of the clasp in your finished chain).
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| Add the clasp with loops made from size 15 beads |
Pick up 5 size 15 seed beads, one half of your clasp, and 5 more size 15 seed beads. Tie into a ring with an overhand or square knot. Then pass your needle and thread through the seed beads twice more to reinforce the bead loop and add strength. Weave your thread back into the bugle chain, tying half hitch knots periodically to secure the thread and then cut the end.
Attach the other half of the clasp by removing the stop bead and repeating the steps above.
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| Double Bugle Bead Chain Necklace |
Enjoy your new beaded chain. It's perfect for layering whether on your wrist or neck.
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