Welcome back to Bead Weaving 101 and our exploration of the 2019 Bead and Button Bead Stitching Handbook.
Today we are going to finish our study of Netting Stitch. In an earlier post, we reviewed the basics of the 3-D form of the technique, called Tubular Netting.
In the last post, we explored the advanced technique for Embellishing/Filling Flat Netting stitch projects.
Today, I want to talk about how we can embellish or fill the tubular form of the stitch.
These two techniques vary dramatically from one another.
To embellish or fill a flat netting project, we first have to create the full netted portion as a base. Then work back through the project to add the filler accent beads.
In Tubular Netting, the filler/accent beads are added as we build the base. In this way, the filled tubular netting is created at the same time as the netted base.
Let’s take a look at the tools and materials we need to get started today. I have added my Affiliate Links for your convenience.
Tools and Material
For this tutorial you need two colors of 11/0 Seed Beads and any number of 6 mm Pearl beads.
Getting Started
The technique used to create a filled tubular netting project is to alternate rows of filler beads with rows of tubular netting.
You can vary the number of accent beads on the base to any number or size you prefer.
Row 1
We begin with a row of Filler beads. As shown above, pick up 1 pearl and 1 Color B seed bead three times.
Pass through all the beads again to form a round.
You can tie two overhand knots between the tail and working threads if you have trouble with maintaining your tension, or you can use a stop bead.
Next, we need to get into position before the second row.
Sew through the first pearl and the next 11/0 Saffron bead.
This closes the bead work and positions the working thread to begin the netting.
Next, we will add three segments of netting to the base beads.
When you design your own projects, the number of filler/accent beads on the base determines the number of netting segments you need in a round.
The size of you accent beads will determine the number of segment beads needed to fly over the larger beads on the base and filler rows.
Unless you purposefully design your work so that the thread is exposed and shows on the finished bead work, a good rule of thumb is to have enough segment beads to cover the exposed thread as you cross over the larger beads.
The number of segment beads will include a Crossover bead and the same amount of beads on both sides of the crossover bead.
Row 2
In this sample each segment consists of seven 11/0 seed beads
Pick up three Color A – one Color B – three Color A.
Skip over the pearl and sew through the next 11/0 on the base.
Repeat this step to the end of the round.
After each round of netting, we will step up into the first segment before adding the next row of filling.
Sew up into the first three beads of the segment.
(Note that I have a stop bead attached to my tail thread to help maintain the proper tension.)
Complete the step up by sewing across the crossover bead in the center of the segment.
From here, we will add the next row of filler beads, only for the rest of the project we only need to add the pearls.
The crossover beads serve as separators between each pearl and to provide a space from which to add the next segments of netting afterwards.
Row 3
In the next round we will begin to cup the bead work up into the tubular shape to form our rope.
Pick up a pearl.
Skip over to the crossover bead in the next segment and sew through.
Repeat two more time until you come to the end of the round.
Notice that as you last pearl in the filling rounds, you will sew through the 11/0 bead from which you started.
To help maintain tension. you can sew through the next pearl and Color B seed bead before continuing.
Note the position of the pearls, centered over the tube and sitting snugly together.
The Remaining Rows
For the remainder of the technique, you will repeat the steps for Row 2 on every even numbered row.
Repeat the steps for Row 3 on every odd numbered row.
Grow the bead work to the desired length.
To finish the bead work so that it is identical on both ends, the last row should be a filling bead row.
And this is all there is to basic Filled Tubular netting.
This brings us to the end of the Netting portion of Bead Weaving 101.
Have fun experimenting with your own bead options and creating beautiful bead work.
The Bead Weaving 101 Series is based in part on my review of the 2019 Bead and Button Bead Stitching Handbook.
You can read my initial Book Review.
You can order your own copy using my Amazon Affiliate link by clicking the book on the right.