Free Instructions: Oak Leaf

We wanted to use the Beading Week theme Emblems to showcase something very English, we chose the oak leaf representing strength, endurance and longevity. Use right angle weave to create the base of the leaf. Best for an intermediate beader or if you are a beginner and up for a challenge then give it a go!

Materials Used

2g size 8/0 Preciosa Transparent Seed Beads (T816)

2g size 11/0 Preciosa Rainbow Seed Beads (R1116)

Beading thread of your choice (any of our beading threads are suitable for this project)

Tools Required

Size 13 Beading Needle (ND13)

Beading Mat (BMT-2) optional

A Sharp Pair of Scissors (SCIMX)

Instructions

Legend - Size 8 = A, Size 11 = B

Row 1 - Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread, leaving a 15cm tail, pick up 2A, circle round and pass through the 1st seed so they sit on top of each other. Circle round to pass through the 2nd seed.

Row 2 - Pick up 3A, circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of the step, pass through the next bead.

Row 3 - Pick up 3A, circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of the step. Pass through the next 2 beads from the previous step to exit the opposite bead from the start. Pick up 3A, circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting. Weave around the next 3 seeds in the central circle.

Row 4 - Pick up 3A, circle around and pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of this step, pass through the next 2 beads to exit at the bottom of this round.

Row 5 - Repeat step 4 working the opposite way round.

Row 6 - Pick up 3A, circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of the step. Pass through the next bead, pick up 3A, circle around to make the right round, weave through 2 beads in the central round. Pick up 3A and circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of this round. Pass through the top bead in the left round.

Row 5 ext - Pick up 4A, circle around to pass through the 1st bead picked up in this step to form a new round. Weave around the new beads again to exit at the bottom of the new round. Weave through the 3 rounds from step 6 as shown to exit the right round. Repeat to add another round. Weave through to exit the bottom bead in the central round from step 6.

Row 7 - Repeat step 5.

Row 8 - Pick up 3A, circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of the step. Pass through the next bead, pick up 3A, circle around to make the right round, weave through 2 beads in the central round. Pick up 3A and circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of this round. Weave around the central round to exit the bottom bead.

Row 9 - Pick up 3A, circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start of the step. Weave around again to strengthen then weave in and secure your thread, weave in your tail thread as well.

1. Thread your needle with a comfortable length of stretched beading thread. Pass through the bottom bead of your leaf and centralise the leaf on your thread. Pick up 3B, circle around to pass through the bead your thread was exiting at the start. Weave around again to strengthen and exit that start bead. We will work one side of the leaf and then thread your needle onto the tail to work the second side.
2. You may find this easier to work with your beadwork flat on a bead mat rather than in hand so that you can identify the correct rounds to pass through. Pass down through the outer most right A from row 8. Pass up through the top 3 B beads. Pick up 6B and pass down through the right bead in the central round. Circle around this round to exit the top of the round. Pass up through the last B bead added in this step.
3. Pick up 11B, pass down through the right outer most A from row 5 ext. Circle round and pass through the last 2 B beads picked up. Pick up 4B, pass back through the top A of the round. Circle round and pass through the last 2 B beads picked up. Pick up 3B and pass down through the right most A of the central round from row 5. Weave around the rest of the beads in this round to exit the top A.
4. Pick up 7B, pass down through the outer most right A from row 2. Circle round and pass through the last 2B beads picked up. Pick up 7B, pass down through the right most A in the central round of row 2. Weave around the central round beads to exit the top bead.
5. Pick up 7B, circle around and pass through the very top A. Pass through the 5th bead picked up, weave around these beads again to strengthen. Weave in and secure this thread.
6. Thread your needle onto the tail thread and flip your beadwork so that you are working on the right side again.
7. Repeat steps 1 to 4. Pick up 2B and weave around the loop of 5 at the top of the leaf again. Weave in your thread.

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