Peyote Graph
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About Peyote
Peyote Stitch, which can also be called gourd stitch, is an off loom bead weaving technique.  It has a few varieties the most commonly seen is made as flat strips which can be worked with either an odd or even number of beads per row. Particularly useful when wanting to make a beaded toggle clasp as you can use the circular and tubular technique to make the perfect clasp to finish your bead woven piece.
Examples of peyote stitch have been found in many cultures around the world.  Members of the Native American Church use the stitch to decorate objects that are used in peyote ceremonies which is where the name comes from.
Technically one of the easiest stitches but can often take a bit of practice to make a piece that you are happy with. The basic steps of peyote stitch are pick up one, skip one, pass through one, repeat, sounds easy but do not be discouraged if you first attempts appear less than perfect, read on for a few tips on how to master this essential stitch.
Beads
Technically you can use any form of seed beads to weave peyote but what you choose will make a big difference in the way the beadwoven piece looks. My personal favourite to use are delica beads ( picture 1 ), these beads are about as wide as they are long and lock together beautifully forming a wonderful and tactile piece of fabric. If you find the standard delicas too small try weaving with double delicas for a much chunkier piece of beadwork.
Finishes
Traditional seed beads will also make a lovely piece of beadwork but don't lock together quite as neatly as delicas.  Japanese seed beads ( picture 2 ) and Czech seed beads ( picture 3 )will both work, Japanese are slightly easier as they tend to be more uniform across the finishes, for instance with Czech, silver lined tends to be smaller than opaque. If using Czech keeping the finish the same will make things much easier. You may also find that tiny little cubes will work as well but as with all beads make sure to cull any that are not evenly shaped.
Threads
The beading thread you use will generally come down to personal preference and there is plenty of variety out there. Work with a few until you find a thread that you feel really comfortable working with.  S-Lon D is probably the most well known beading thread, it is inexpensive and comes in a wide variety of colours making it easier to match your thread to your beadwork.  Working with beading thread like this will create a fairly flexible piece of beadwork.
Braided Thread
If you are looking for something a bit stronger or are after a stiffer piece of beadwork then a braided thread such as Fireline or Wild Fire may help.  It can also make a big difference when first starting out with peyote as the first few rows will have a bit more stability.
Starting Rows
These first few rows are often what put people off of this stitch, can be fiddly to start and see where your next beads should go. We’ll show you the standard way of starting and a little hack for another option.Â
Step 1
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread, pick up 10 beads, I have alternated colours to keep things easier.
Step 2
Pick up a red bead, skip the red bead and pass through the black bead. Repeat all the way down adding red beads.
Step 3
Now pick up a black bead, skip the black bead and pass through the red bead, repeat all the way along.
You should now start to see the beads you need to pass through are sticking out making it more obvious which is your next bead to pass through. After working a few more rows you can always go back and remove the first couple of rows if they are not sitting right for you.
Hack
Step 1
Take a length of beading wire and thread 5 red beads onto it, you can knot the ends of the wire to stop the beads falling off.
Step 2
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread, pick up 1 black bead and pass through the 1st red bead on the wire. Pick up a black bead and pass through the next red bead on the wire. Repeat to the end.
Step 3
Pick up a red bead, skip the next red bead and pass through the black bead. Repeat all the way down adding red beads.
Step 4
Now pick up a black bead, skip the black bead and pass through the red bead, repeat all the way along. You can now remove the wire and continue working your length of peyote.
Even Count Peyote
Step 1
A strip with a starting row of even beads as in the example above. Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread, pick up 10 beads, I have alternated colours to keep things easier. Pick up a red bead, skip the next red bead and pass through the black bead. Repeat all the way down adding red beads.
Step 2
Now pick up a black bead, skip the black bead and pass through the red bead, repeat all the way along. Keep repeating alternating colours.
Odd Count Peyote
Similar thing but starting with an odd count. This can help with centralising designs, particularly anything with diamonds.
Step 1
Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread, pick up 11 alternating beads.
Step 2
Pick up a black bead. Skip the black bead and pass through the next red bead. Repeat down the length. Pass through the black bead at the end.
Step 3
Pick up a black bead, pass up through the next red bead and the 2nd black bead.
Step 4
Pass across and go down the 2nd to last black bead, the red bead again, the 1st black bead and the new black bead. This is the only time you have to make the turn this way.
Step 5
Work a row of red beads as normal. Then work another row of black beads, this time when you get to the end, pass your needle under the joining thread from the 1st row and go back through the new bead.
