Positano

Blue Bracelet

Watch our Artbeads Cafe episode for a video tutorial on how to do the Russian spiral stitch. You can also refer to our PDF Diagram. On a comfortable working length of thread, add one 3mm fire-polished bead in ColorTrends Saturated Metallic Lapis Blue, two Miyuki 11/0 round seed beads in seagreen AB-lined, one 3mm fire-polished bead in ColorTrends Saturated Metallic Neutral Gray, two seed beads, one 3mm fire-polished bead in ColorTrends Saturated Metallic Island Paradise, and two seed beads. Form a circle with your beads by looping the thread and tie a knot if desired. Move the needle so that it is coming out between the two seed beads in one of the seed bead pairs, as shown in Figure 1 of the PDF Diagram.

Russian Spiral Stitch Video Tutorial
Russian Spiral Stitch PDF Diagram

Looking forward from the needle, note the color of the next fire-polished bead. Pick up a bead in that same color and two seed beads. Pass over the noted bead and then insert the needle between it and the seed bead after, so that the needle is coming out between the two seed beads, as shown in Figure 2 of the PDF Diagram.

Russian Spiral Stitch PDF Diagram

Note the color of the next fire-polished bead and repeat the last step for this color, as shown in Figure 3 of the PDF Diagram.

Russian Spiral Stitch PDF Diagram

Note the color of the next fire-polished bead and repeat the last step for this color. This time, you will "step up" after inserting the needle between the noted fire-polished bead, the next seed bead as usual, by going through the next seed bead, fire-polished bead, and seed bead sequence after that. You should now be exiting between two seed beads. The "step up" completes one round of the Russian spiral, as shown in Figure 6 of the PDF Diagram.

Russian Spiral Stitch PDF Diagram

Repeat rounds of the stitch to the desired bracelet length, keeping in mind your clasp will add about 1 1/4-inches of length.

Create a round or two of the Russian spiral stitch with all seed beads to cinch up one end of your bracelet. You may also have to decrease the number of beads used for each round to create a closed end. Once your end is satisfactory, add one blue fire-polished bead to your thread. Loop your thread around the ring component of your sterling silver 16mm round toggle clasp and go back down through the fire-polished bead. Weave through the seed beads and come back up through the fire-polished bead and back around the clasp several times to reinforce. Secure and trim your thread.

Bead Weaving Basics: Starting, Adding, and Ending Thread

Repeat the previous step on the other end of your bracelet. You may need to add one or two more fire-polished beads to ensure the bar component can easily fit through the loop component of your toggle clasp. Adding more beads here can also add length to your bracelet in case you've made it too short.

Repeat these steps to make an orange variation of the bracelet.

List of Components
Fire-Polished Bead 3mm ColorTrends Saturated Metallic Lapis Blue (50pc Pack) (CFP-SAME-LAPB3, qty 2)
Fire-Polished Bead 3mm ColorTrends Saturated Metallic Neutral Gray (50pc Pack) (CFP-SAME-NGRY3, qty 2)
Fire-Polished Bead 3mm ColorTrends Saturated Metallic Island Paradise (50pc Pack) (CFP-SAME-PARA3, qty 2)
Miyuki 11/0 Round Seed Beads - Seagreen AB-Lined 8g Bag (MR-0263, qty 1)
Sterling Silver 16mm Round Toggle Clasp (SS-TOG03, qty 1)
Fire-Polished Bead 3mm ColorTrends Pacifica Strawberry (50pc Pack) (CFP-PAC-STBY3, qty 2)
Fire-Polished Bead 3mm ColorTrends Pacifica Ginger (50pc Pack) (CFP-PAC-GNGR3, qty 2)
Fire-Polished Bead 3mm ColorTrends Pacifica Tangerine (50pc Pack) (CFP-PAC-TANG3, qty 2)
TOHO Bead Round 11/0 24K Gold-Plated (TBRD11-712, qty 1)
JBB Gold-Plated Pewter Spiral Toggle Clasp (PG-TOG001, qty 1)