Peyote Stitch Bail - Step By Step Tutorial (Make a Beaded Connector for Adding a Pendant to a Kumihimo Cord)

How to connect beaded kumihimo braids to a pendant is a challenge. After sourcing these new borosilicate glass Nebula Ring Tag Pendants with dichroic chips and gold dust inside, I found that the best solution was to imitate the beaded peyote stitch sleeve or cover over the clasp already part of the design. So before we start, let me reminisce. 

Peyote Stitch was not on my list of beading techniques to learn until I had a problem with magnetic clasps that preferred to attach themselves to metal table legs or armrests. This was solved by the addition of a Beaded Peyote Stitch Sleeve over the clasp preventing the magnetic clasp from sliding off sideways. As a bonus, the beaded sleeve added an aesthetic dimension to the design. This was 11 years ago... For more info check this post.

Making a bail, a connector, or a loop is always a challenge. In this instance, the loop needs to be continuous and permanently attached to the pendant. It cannot be pre-made and then installed; it needs to be finished around the hole in the ring tag pendant. The kumihimo cord can slip in as long as the bail is long enough. 

Here is what you will need to begin:

• ~1 g (1/8 tsp) of Miyuki Delicas 11/0
  
• 1.5 yd (1.4 m) of Beading Thread (my preference is the one with the closest color to the beads)
• Beeswax
• 2 Tapestry Needles Size 28 (with blunt ends)
• 1 or 2 Bead Embroidery Needles Size 10 or 12 (with blunt ends)
• Mini-Clip or Mini-Clamp

Step By Step Tutorial

Make a Peyote Stitch Rectangle, 6 beads wide by 31 beads long. Check for size; if the fit it well, zip it into a loop around the Nebula Ring Tag pendant hole. 

Step 1 - Cut the thread. If you using C-lon or KO Bead Thread, coat it with beeswax, especially the ends. Attach both ends to the Tapestry Needles Size 28. You can use an extra fine needle threader to do so.

Step 2 - Use the 2-needle start method: 

1. *Load the first 2 beads, one on each needle, then slide the beads to the middle of the thread. 
2. Load 1 bead on both needles, but do it one at a time.* 
3. Repeat from * to * 2 more times until you have 6 beads across. 

Note: For #2, I pass the first needle through the bead, then hold the bead right past the needle against my left index finger with the needle in between my left index and my middle finger, then I pass the second needle through the bead. This way the first thread is taut, and there is no risk of piercing it with the second needle. If you use the thinner needles, bead embroidery needles Size 10 & 12, you can insert both needles at once. However, the tapestry needle size 28 eyes are larger, making them easier to thread; plus the needles are much stronger and they do not get bent or broken as easily as the thinner needles. 

For more complete images of the process: –> Post on 2 Needle Start

How to count beads across and rows: Now, you have 6 beads across and 2 beads on the left side and 1 on the right side. The 6 beads across is the way you count the width. The side beads are the way you count the rows. With the next thread pass, you will add a bead on the right side, so there will be 2 beads on each side. You do not count rows by the number of thread passes. 

Step 3 - Clip one of the thread (the shorter one) with a mini-clamp. It will hold the thread tension. With the other needle (and thread), add Bead 1 and insert the needle into the first protruding bead. 

Note: In even-count peyote with 6 beads across, each thread pass add 3 beads (or half the amount of beads across). Two passes add 6 beads and a full row. 

Bead 2 and 3 will be added in between the protruding beads from the previous pass. 

  

Step 4 - Reverse direction for the next pass and add Bead 4, 5 and 6. 

Step 5. Continue adding more beads until you have 31 beads on each side. 

Note: The threads are coming out of opposite sides and the indentations and protrusions at the ends fit into one another. If the thread is coming out of the same side and the ends are exactly the same, either add or remove one pass. 

Step 6. With the thread on each side reinforce the sides for stability and strength. This step is best done with the finer bead embroidery needles size 10 and 12. 

1. Go through the edge bead one row up from the bead with the thread.
2. Go through the next lower bead.
3. Turn direction and go through the bead on row up. 
4. Go through the next lower edge bead. That's the same edge bead as in #1.
5. Repeat 1-4 for every edge bead. Hold off at the last bead.
6. Repeat 1-5 for the other side.
7. Reinforce the last rows by running the thread to the other side so both threads come out of the last bead as shown in Step 5. 

Step 7. Check for fit. Add or remove rows as needed. 

 

 Step 8. Zip both end together. See image below for close-up. 

Go through the protruding beads one at a time. Pull tight and reinforce the joint by a few more passes. Then go around in a circle a few times to secure the thread ends. 

 Step 8. Cut the thread ends at the bead hole or melt the ends with a thread burner making sure not to melt the other thread. If you have never done it before test it on a space piece of peyote stitch. 

The End. The bail is all done. Congratulations!  

For the Peyote Sleeve, the clasp cover, make a rectangular piece 20 beads across with 18 rows of beads, and zipped it closed. Slip it over the magnetic clasp and stitch it to the side of the braid so it won't fall out when the clasp is opened up. 

The combination is a really nice addition, making it worthwhile to learn peyote stitching. Here are the combinations I have made so far: 

El Dorado

Midnight Scarab

Place Vendome

Other Peyote Stitch Tutorials
Even-Count Peyote Sleeves with Delicas Size 11
Even-Count Peyote Sleeves with Seed Beads Size 11
Odd-Count Peyote Sleeves with Delicas Size 10 & Seed Beads Size 11
2 Needle Start - An Alternative Method to Start Peyote
2 Needle Method for Odd-Count Peyote
The FAST Peyote Method - An Alternative Peyote Stitch Method

Get Kits, Materials & Tools
Kumihimo Necklace Kits - in this post
Nebula Ring Tags - Pendants shown in this post

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