Pearl Ring
Here's an easy ring that even a beginner can do! These rings are really comfy to wear, and look great too.
Materials:
Two 4mm pearls (or beads of your choice)
One 6mm pearl
Small amount of Delicas or size 11.0 seeds
approx. 36" Fireline (8 or 10lb)
Size 12 needle
Begin by picking up 6 beads, then tie a knot to form a circle. Be sure to leave about 4" or so for a tail. Then go back up through 3 beads so you have 2 rows of 3 beads each. You will be doing a basic ladder stitch for the band. :)
Pick up 3 more beads, and go up through the 3 beads that your thread is coming out of. Then go down through the 3 you just added so you're in position to add the next 3.
Keep adding 3 beads at a time like this about 4 more times, then we'll do the center section. I like to make a small part of the band before the center just so I have something to hang onto. ;)
Now we'll start the center section which is a basic daisy stitch.
Pick up 9 beads, and go up through the bottom 2 beads of your last row as shown.
Pick up your 4mm bead and go up through the 4th bead on the top of the daisy. (It's marked with a red x in the previous picture.) You will always have 3 beads on each side of your daisy, but the top and bottom count will change depending on the size of pearl you use in the center. I've marked the 3 side beads for you.
Now pick up 13 beads and go up through the bottom 2 side beads as shown.
Pick up your 6mm bead and go up through the 6th bead on the top. (This is the top bead of your 3 side beads.)
Pick up 9 beads, and go up through the 2 bottom side beads as shown.
Pick up your last 4mm bead and go up through the top of your 3 side beads like before.
Now you're ready to make the rest of your band.
Pick up 3 beads, and go up through all 3 of your side beads, then down through the 3 you just added.
Keep adding 3 beads at a time like this until your ring is the size you want.
I have a wooden ring mandrel with the sizes marked, but if you don't have one, here are some (very) rough estimates on sizes. Remember that the length will vary depending on the sizes of beads you use.... larger beads with decrease the inside diameter of the ring. :)
Sz 4..... 1.75"
Sz 5.....2"
Sz 6......2.25"
Sz 7.....2.50"
When you get to the length you want, simply join the two sides by going through the 3 side beads on the other side. ( I like to tie a knot in the two threads at this point.) Then weave your thread up and down along the band. This reinforces the strength, and also secures the thread. Come up between two beads and clip. Then thread the needle onto your tail weave it in the same way, only going in the opposite direction.
You're done!
Go ahead and experiment with the center section and see what you can come up with. Maybe you'd like only one large bead in the center?
To see other rings I've made using these same techniques, click here.
If you run into any problems, just email me. :)
