PEYOTE STITCH A SCALLOPED EDGE

HOW TO PEYOTE STITCH A SCALLOPED EDGE I've discovered that most beaders have a go-to stitch, and I can easily say that peyote stitch is mine. Why? It just makes sense to me...it feels like clicking Legos together or building a brick wall as I place beads between beads in that signature staggered formation. The other thing I love about peyote stitch is there seems to be an unending reserve of new techniques that I learn every time I sit down to bead. There are the many faces of peyote stitch--flat, tubular, circular, free form--but within each of those faces are techniques that slightly tweak the technique. These slight tweaks, for me, keep the stitch fresh and fun. Here is a basic peyote stitch that adds a scalloped edge to your project: Rows 1 - 3:  Work 3 or more rows of peyote stitch. You'll want to make sure you're using a multiple of 8 so your scallops come out even. Row 4: Skip a stitch by passing through the nearest bead 2 rows previous (the one in the "dip") and back through the following bead of Row 3. Work 3 peyote stitches with 1 bead in each stitch. Repeat from the beginning of this row to the end of the row. Weave through beads to exit back through the last bead added in this row. Row 5: Work 2 peyote stitches with 1 bead in each stitch, then weave through beads to exit back through the next bead of Row 4. Repeat from the beginning of this row to the end of the row. Weave through beads to exit back through the last bead added in this row. Row 6: Work 1 peyote stitch with 1 bead (I used a 2mm Czech fire-polished round here), then weave through beads to exit back through the next bead of Row 5. Repeat from the beginning of this row to the end of the row. Isn't that a pretty edging? Want to learn even more about the many faces of peyote stitch? Come into Bead Unique to learn even more about this lovely stitch. Happy beading!