Flat, Odd-Count Peyote Stitch

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 (13 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.



Traditional turn
1. Work the first three rows the same as you did for even count. When you reach the odd-turn end, you will notice that there is no "last bead" into which you can sew. Pick up a bead ("B") and slide it into position, as shown on the diagram. Sew through beads "A", "C" and "E".
2. Sew back up through beads "D" and "C", pulling the thread snug so it hides between the beads.
3. Sew up into bead "A".
4. Sew back into bead "B" and proceed as usual on the subsequent row. You will find that this and every other row has an "even" turn. Continue until your peyote strip is the desired length.

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Abbreviated turn
1. Work the first three rows the same as you did for even count. When you reach the odd-turn end, you will notice that there is no "last bead" into which you can sew. Pick up a bead ("B") and slide it into position, as shown on the diagram. Sew through bead "A".
2. Bring the needle around to the back of the beadwork and sew back up through bead "A".
3. Pull the thread snug so that it loops around the thread and hides between the beads.
4. Sew back into bead "B" and proceed as usual on the subsequent row. You will find that this and every other row has an "even" turn. Continue until your peyote strip is the desired length.

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Catch turn
1. Work the first three rows the same as you did for even count. When you reach the odd-turn end, you will notice that there is no "last bead" into which you can sew. Pick up a bead ("C") and slide it into position, as shown on the diagram. Sew beneath the thread that runs between the tops of beads "A" and "B".
2. Pull the thread snug leaving a little bit of slack so that the beads will not buckle.
3. Sew back into bead "C".
4. Proceed as usual on the subsequent row. You will find that this and every other row has an "even" turn. Continue until your peyote strip is the desired length.

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Two-Needle Turn
Note: Place your stopper bead at the center of the thread rather than near the end.
1. Work the first three rows the same as you did for even count. When you reach the odd-turn end, you will notice that there is no "last bead" into which you can sew. Remove the stopper bead and put a needle on that same piece of thread. Pick up a bead ("B") and slide it into position, as shown on the diagram.
2. With the needle that you just added to the thread coming from bead "A", sew through bead "B".
3. Pull snug and bead the next two rows.
4. Once you reach the odd end of the beadwork again, string the last bead of the row ("C"), slide it into position as shown on the diagram and then continue with your original needle. Continue by alternating needles until your peyote strip reaches the desired length.

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Warp Turn
Note: Leave about a foot of thread after the stopper bead.
1. Work the first three rows the same as you did for even count. When you reach the odd-turn end, you will notice that there is no "last bead" into which you can sew. Pick up a bead ("B") and slide it into position, as shown on the diagram. Remove the stopper bead and place the short end of the thread across bead "B".
2. Sew back into bead "B" with your needle on the other side of the short end of the thread.
3. Pull snug and bead the next row. Repeat this process each time you get to the odd-turn end.
4. If you run out of either thread end, weave both ends into the beadwork. Place a stopper bead on a new length of thread and sew through the last "up" bead at the edge of your beadwork. Continue until your peyote strip is the desired length.

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