Begin by making a "stopper bead" - sew into a bead and pull it down the thread until it is about 6" from the end. Sew through the bead again without splitting the thread. You should be able to slide it up and down the thread but it will stay in place when left alone. Next, string an even number of beads onto your thread (12 beads should be enough for starters) and bring them to your stopper bead. It's easiest to see how this works if you alternate light and dark beads.
1. String one more bead, the same color as the last bead you strung, and slide it to the other beads. This is bead "E" on the diagram. Skipping bead "D", sew into bead "C".
2. Pull the thread snug. Your beadwork should resemble the diagram.
3. Pick up another bead (same color as the last), skip bead "B" and sew into bead "A".
4. Pull this bead snug as well. Notice that it pushes the adjacent bead to the side, making three staggered rows: (D&B, C&A, E&F).
Continue this process, picking up a bead, skipping a bead and sewing into the next, until you have sewn into the last bead in the row. Note - do not sew into the stopper bead.
5. Pick up a bead ("D") the same color as the one you just exited ("C") and sew back into bead "B".
6. Pull the thread snug. This is the beginning of row 4.
7. Pick up another bead of the same color ("E") and sew into bead "A".
8. Pull snug. Repeat this process for as many rows as desired. The result will be a flat strip of peyote stitch.
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