Techniques

Flat Square Stitch

See the tabs below for all products and tools used in this technique, plus any additional tips that may be helpful to you!

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This strong, versatile beadweaving stitch is an off-loom technique that looks just like beadwork woven on a loom. Use simple graph paper to design a pattern, and weave it with Delica beads or seed beads to make intricate, lightweight jewelry.
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Seed Beads (We used size 8 Delicas)

Size B Beading Thread or FireLine Braided Bead Thread

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Tip 1	Square stitch is a strong, versatile stitch that looks just like loom work when complete, so you can use it with any loom work graph. Square stitch makes designing geometric patterns easy. Even count and odd count rows are stitched the same way, with the beads forming a grid.
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Step 1

Cut a piece of thread about 5 feet long. Thread your needle.

Step 2

Use Thread Heaven to condition your thread. This will help prevent fraying.

Step 3

Add a mini bead stopper about one foot from the end of your thread. Squeeze the two loops to open the bead stopper.

Step 4

Add thread to the mini bead stopper and release the loops. This will help prevent the beads from falling off your thread.

Step 5

Begin your square stitch piece by stringing several beads. For this technique we are making a piece that is six beads wide.

Step 6

To make the turn to the next row, pick up one bead. Then go through the last bead of the first row.

Step 7

Your bead will sit right on top of the bead in the previous row.

Step 8

Then go back through the top bead. You will be working in a circular loop.

Step 9

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 10

As you pull your thread through the bottom bead, the bead you picked up in Step 9 will sit on the top of the bead in the previous row.

Step 11

Go back through the top bead. You may have to adjust your beads as you work so they will lay nicely on top of each other.

Step 12

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 13

Go back through the top bead.

Step 14

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 15

Your beads will sit right on top of the beads in the previous row.

Step 16

Go back through the top bead.

Step 17

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 18

Go back through the top bead.

Step 19

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 20

Go back through the top bead.

Step 21

You will now have two completed rows.

Step 22

Reinforce the row by going back through the entire first row.

Step 23

Then go back through the entire second row. Always reinforce the rows just stitched before adding a new row.

Step 24

To make the turn to the next row, pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 25

Go back through the top bead.

Step 26

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 27

Go back through the top bead.

Step 28

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 29

Go back through the top bead.

Step 30

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 31

Go back through the top bead.

Step 32

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 33

Go back through the top bead.

Step 34

Pick up one bead. Then go through the next bead in the previous row.

Step 35

Go back through the top bead.

Step 36

You will now have three completed rows.

Step 37

Reinforce the the row by going back through the entire second row.

Step 38

Then go back through the entire third row. Always reinforce the rows just stitched before adding a new row.

Step 39

Continue by repeating the pattern from steps 6 to 36 until you have reached your desired length.

Step 40

To end your thread, weave the thread back and forth across several rows.

Step 41

Cut your thread as close to the beads as possible. Clean up the ends of your thread, using a Perfect End Thread Burner. Burn or melt the end of your thread until the end is no longer visible.

Step 42

To add thread, cut another piece of thread approximately 5 feet long. Remember to use your Thread Heaven again as shown in step 2.

Step 43

Weave in the new thread into the same row as the old thread, but at the opposite end, so the old and the new threads are running in the same direction through the beads.

Step 44

Continue until you have exited through the last row.

Step 45

Continue the pattern by stringing one bead.

Step 46

Then go through the bead directly below it.

Step 47

Go back through the top bead and continue the pattern to your desired length, shown in steps 6 to 36. To add a clasp see our Square Stitch Clasp - Option 1.