Beaded Tubular Sleeves made with Flat, Even-Count Peyote Stitch and Miyuki Delicas Size 11

Beads, Beading Thread, Bead Embroidery Needles, a Mini-Clip and a Thread Burner

List of Materials & Tools

Beads

Miyuki Delicas Size 11 work well. They are incredibly regular, have large holes and come in great color choices.

Beading Thread

I have tried a range of beading thread for this project and now choose my thread solely based on best color match, not based on breaking strength as there is no need for great structural strength for this project, nor do I choose based on thread type.

Here is the list of thread according to their breaking strength, : KO or Miyuki Beading Thread, 6 lb FireLine, C-Lon Bead Thread Size D, and WildFire .006. Respectively, they have 4 lb, 6 lb, 7 lb & 10 lb breaking strength.

As to thickness of chread, they are all thin thread, but they list from thinnest to very thin in this order: KO/Miyuki, C-Lon Bead Thread Size D, 6lb FireLine, WildFire. The first two flatten the most, the last two are rounder, but will flatten a bit against a bead hole.

KO and Miyuki Beading Thread are exactly the same product, nylon filaments laid side by side without being twisted in plies in a monocord waxed together. C-Lon Bead Thread Size D is similar but thicker and it has no wax, just a very light bond. WildFire is a thermally bonded nylon filament, white in its center with a black, frost white or camouflage green thermally bond over the filaments. FireLine is similar to WildFire, but it comes in a dark grey, smoke color and a white named crystal, both are slightly transparent. They all have their own feel, but in the end for this particular project all of them will work well.

The major factor for a good result is an even thread tension, and that will improve with practice. Don't stress, this project is forgiving, even on the first try!

Bead Embroidery Needles

Blunt ends are better than regular beading needles. The blunt ends lowers the likelihood of splitting the thread when going through the beads multiple times. Plus they are short and no length is needed for this project.

Mini-Clamp

I found a mini-clamp much better than using a bead as a stopper, plus I already had one laying around on my desk from the tool kit of the Kumihimo Bracelet with Long Magatamas & C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord.

Thread Burner

Great for melting the end of the thread. Alternatives: Cut the thread after taking it around the same several beads over and over. Add a drop of Fray Check or GS Hypo Cement for added security is so desired.

Optional - Beeswax

Good for the ends of C-Lon Bead Thread Size D. It prevents the ends from splitting when threading them into the needle. KO and Miyuki Thread is already waxed, but might need an additional waxing. WildFire & FireLine do not need any wax but the end needs to be flattened a bit before threading it.

We will be covering the magnetic tube with a flat, even-count peyote stitch by first making a flat rectangle and then zipping it into a tube. Even-count means that the number of beads along the length of the peyote stitch is an even number, such as 18 beads, which is the number that will cover the length of the clasp in this instance.

1. Thread the needle. Place the mini-clamp at 24 to 36 inches from the thread end.

Note: If I have the full spool I tend not to cut the thread off the spool until I have completed the first half of the peyote rectangle just in case I damage the thread and need extra length on the spool side. If you are working with a 48 inch thread length, clamp it at 24 inches.

2. Load 18 Delica Size 11 beads. Check the length of the beads against the clasp.

3. Push the beads against the mini-clamp. These beads will become the row 1 & 2.

4. For row 3, load 1 bead and go back into row 1 & 2.
Skip the first bead, insert the needle through the second bead and pull the thread.

5. Step completed.

6. Continue, skip a bead, insert the needle through the next bead and pull the thread through.

7. Step 5 completed, continue, skip a bead, insert the needle into the next bead and pull the thread.

8. Rows 1, 2 and 3 completed. Rows in peyote stitch are counted diagonally.
See 2 needle alternate start method listed in references below.

9. For row 4, add a bead, and go through the last bead added in the previous row.
This will be the way you start all the future rows.

10. Step 8 completed. Continue the row.

11. It is helpful to add the first 2 beads of a new row prior to pulling the thread completely through.
It helps keep the thread tension even.

12. Once your thread is becoming short, thread it in a circle around several beads a few times. Leave the end hanging on the side. Cut the thread at spool leaving a length of 24 inches. (Skip cutting if your thread is already cut.) Continue your rows with this new thread ends until you have completed 31 rows and have 16 beads on each edge.

Note: It is easier to count the beads on the edge rather than counting rows. The beads on edge are easy to see. Rows need to be counted diagonally or in zigzag.

In my note book, I keep track of the number of beads along the length and the number of beads on the edge, thus for this particular clasp I need a peyote rectangle of Delicas 11s - 18 bead long with 16 beads on the edge, for short 18b x 16b.

14. Check the fit around the clasp. Join both sides for the flat peyote into a tube.
Zip the two sides together by zigzagging through the beads on the edge of both sides.


15. Catch 1 bead on one side, then 1 on the other side. It will create an invisible joint. Once you reach the other side, go in a circle between several beads several times or go back to the other side if any of your peyote is a bit loose. Leave the end hanging on the side.

Peyote Stitch Tubular Sleeve for Kumihimo Bracelet with Long Magatamas & C-Lon Tex 400 Bead Cord

Here is the bracelet with the completed sleeve.
The bracelet color is Razzleberry.
The sleeve Dark Plum Delicas Size 11.

Finishing: Attach the sleeve by stitching it to the kumihimo braid on one side. Use a new thread to do that just in case you change your mind and decide to remove the sleeve later on. It can also be left loose if you want several interchangeable sleeves. See alternative sleeves below.

Same bracelet with Copper Delica Size 11 Sleeve


Same Bracelet with Copper Seed Beads Size 11 Sleeve. The count is 16 beads wide by 14 beads on the edges with Miyuki Duracoat Galvanized Size 11 Seed Beads. > See tutorial for this sleeve