This earring pattern is so simple, it takes only an hour or two to complete a pair, once you've chosen your pattern and a few beads for the dangles.
I developed this style because I found out that a lot of women don't want to wear long earrings like us beader womenfolk do! (women beaderfolk?)
Hey!
This earring is so quick and easy, I've been known to work up a pair or two just to try out new color combinations.Like all beadwork patterns, it has countless variations, and I know you'll develop your own. I've provided a blank pattern, but I've also included three different colored patterns to help you get started (1, 2, 3).
Oh, wait! If you've never done brick stitch before, check out these websites:
- Beadtime Stories (Annie Scarborough)
- Beadyboop's Classroom (Charlene Hughes)
- Bead-Patterns.com (Rita Sova)
- Beadmaiden's Loom Cheyenne Stitch Instructions (Deb Walker)
- The "Other" Brick Stitch at About.com
Note: The bottom of the center dangle is not pictured in any of the patterns. Choose any type of bead for this part of the earring..
So Let's Get Started...
- Begin with a base row three beads high and seven beads wide.
- Above the base row, weave a row two beads high and six beads wide.
- Above that, weave another row two beads high, and five beads wide.
- Then weave three more rows, each one bead high, decreasing the width one bead per row. The last row will be two beads wide.
- Come out the top of one of the two beads in the top row, and make a loop for the ear wire by picking up four or six beads. Reinforce this loop by stitching around through the beads a few more times.
- Weave all rows below the base row one bead high, and decrease one bead width per row until the last row is two beads wide.
- Bring the thread out one of the bottom two beads and pick up the beads for the center dangle. Come back up through the other of the two beads in the bottom row.
- At this point, weave up through some of the beads until you come down through the bottom bead at one end of the base row.
- Pick up a few beads (usually eight or nine) for one of the loops, and bring the needle up through one of the two bottom beads (the one on the same side as the loop you're making). Sometimes I come up through the outer bead of the row that's three beads wide.
- Work your way up through the earring until you come out the bottom bead at the opposite end of the base row.
- Pick up the beads for the other loop, and bring the needle up through the other of the two beads in the bottom row. Work the thread up and through several beads to anchor the end.
Trim the thread, and Voila! You're done! (Now make another one!)
Comments on this lesson? Email me...
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This page was first posted on 4/27/97, ©1997 Mary J. Tafoya.
These instructions, the patterns and all illustrations and images ©1997 Mary J. Tafoya.
Single copies may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial use only.
