Bead &Button • June 2001 55

A reader sent us a tip for helping childrenlearn peyote stitch by

using large beads and elasticthread (see “Tips & Tech-niques,” p. 8). Frankly, thatseemed like an especiallygood way to teach the stitchto adults, too, and the idealed to the handsome peyotecuff shown here.

stepbystepWith just four beads in eachrow, this bracelet works upquickly, and the elasticthread helps keep the tensioneven as you stitch.

Thread the needle with a7-yd. (6.4m) length of elastic.(This should be enoughthread to complete thebracelet without having toadd more.) Working with theelastic doubled, string a stopbead (any bead will do) andposition it about halfwaydown the elastic. Take theneedle through the beadagain to keep it in place, andwrap the long tail of threadaround a piece of cardboardso it will stay out of your way(photo a).

String 8 beads onto theelastic and move them closeto the stop bead. Work in flatpeyote stitch (see “Basics,” p.94) (photo b), stretching theelastic very gently to keep thebeads in place. To avoid hav-ing a tangled mess of elasticwhen the working thread is

long, hold it away from thebeads and keep it underslight tension.

When you have about 1ft. (30cm) of thread remain-ing, cut it at the fold, leavingthe tails long. Clamp them ortape them to the bracelet tokeep the beads in place asyou work the other half.

Unwind the elastic on thecardboard. Thread the cutends through the needle andcontinue working in peyoteuntil the bracelet is a com-fortable fit around yourwrist. End the bracelet withan even number of rows.

Stretch the bracelet several times to distribute the thread’s tension along its length. Sew the bracelet’sends together by zigzaggingbetween beads (photo c).Work the elastic backthrough several beads in thelast row.

Run the tails set aside instep 3 through several beadsin the last row until the twopairs of ends meet. Tightenthe elastic slightly so that nothread shows between beads.Knot the elastic ends togetherwith a surgeon’s knot (see“Basics”), dab the knot withglue, and pull the knot into abead. Before you trim theends, run them through abead or two and dab withglue to keep them in place. w

Mindy Brooks is an associateeditor of Bead&Button.

Easy peyote cuffWeave a simple bracelet with plenty of style

by Mindy Brooks

a

b

c

materials• 2 Tubes 50 hex-cut beads• Gossamer Floss (available from

TSI, 800-366-2156) • Tapestry or embroidery needles,

size 20-24 • G-S Hypo-Tube Cement