April - The Month of the Herringbone Stitch

Last month we focused on Peyote.  Many of us start out using this stitch.  Although it is one of the more commonly know stitches in the beadweaving world, I think Herringbone is one of the most flexible.  Many beadweavers use tubular Herringbone for the 'strap' part of their necklaces, however, most people don't realize how often it is used in creating bezels and centerpieces.  The versatility of Herringbone comes mostly from the flexibility of the stitch.  

So, this month we are focusing our attention to the 

Herringbone Stitch

Please show off your Herringbone creation via our Fan Page or you can leave a link in the comments and we'll help you post it.  These can be current or past creations.

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Tubular Herringbone

Begin with a foundation row of ladder stitch. Join the ends together to form a tube. String 2 beads. Pass down through the next bead and up through the bead after it. Repeat around the tube. At the end of the round, pass through the first beads of the previous and current rounds to step up to the new round.

Flat Herringbone Stitch

Begin with a foundation row of even-count ladder stitch. String 2 beads, pass down through the second to last bead in the ladder, and up through the next bead. String 2 beads, pass down the next bead and then up through the following. Repeat to the end of the row. To end the row, pass back through the last bead strung. To begin the next row, string 2 beads and pass down through the second to last bead of the previous row. Repeat, stringing 2 beads per stitch and passing down then up through two beads of the previous row. The 2-bead stitch will cause the beads to angle-up in each row, like a herringbone fabric.