Introduction
to the Circular Netting Technique:

Circular
netting patterns are usually written in an abbreviated form.
There are only 4 instructions you need to learn. They are:
(i) / = sew into the middle of the bead of the next
row.
(ii) jo1 = jump over one bead and sew into the next.
(iii) into the 2nd = the needle threads into the 2nd bead
of the next bow.
(iv) At the end of MOST rows, it is necessary to pass
the need on through 2 more beads (this is just a positioning
move).
Practice
Project:
We are going to construct a small coloured motif which will
help you understand the netting technique.
The pattern is written in (a) abbreviated form, and (b) in detailed
instructions. The (c) column has notes and extra comments.
The instructions are written for size 9 seed beads, and use
double thickness of quilting thread. Use any size seed beads
and your prefernece for thread.
Colour
Abbreviations: B = Black, R = Red, Y = Yellow, Gr = Green, W
= White.
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
(Notes)
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(i)
To start: Thread the needle with 2 arms length
of thread.
(ii) Join the 2 ends of the thread with a reef knot or
"sheet bend" knot.
(iii) Trim the end of the thread down to about 1/2 cm
and move the knot away from the end of the thread. |
(i)
TIP: To thread a fine needle: cut the thread with
sharp scissors, leaving a clean cut. Hold the thread between
thumb and forefinger so that only the very end of the
thread is visible. Lower the eye of the needle down onto
the thread.
(iii) This way, the ends of the knot will be hidden into
the work. |
| Row
1: Take 8B on the thread and make into a ring.
(Remember to "Button-hole" the 1st bead). |
Row
1: Take 1 Black bead on the thread and make
a button-hole stitch over the bead. Pull tight.
Add
on 7 more beads and make a ring by sewing back through
the 1st bead again.
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Row
1: Pull the doubled thread almost all the way
through the bead, then pass the needle through the loop
of the thread, making a simple knot around bead. Pull
tight.
NB. This forms the initial bow row for the circular shape.
Each row works around in a circle. BE CAREFUL NOT TO
CHANGE DIRECTION. |
| Row
2: 1W 1R 1W jo1. Sew on through 2 beads at the
end of the row. |
Row
2: Take 3 beads (1W 1R 1W) onto the thread. Looking
at the initial ring
if the bead the thread is coming
out of is No 1, then miss out No 2 and pass the needle
through No 3. Add on 1W 1R 1W again, miss No 4 and thread
into No 5. Continue around the circle until you thread
into No 1 again (4 groups, or "bows" altogether).
At the end of the round, take the needle on through 2
more beads (The thread should be coming out of the R bead
in the middle of the first bow from Row 2). |
Row
2: This is called "jump over 1."
N.B. Always finish a round by sewing into the same
bead from which you started. |
| Row
3: 1Y 1Gr 1Y 1Gr 1Y /. Sew on through 2 beads
at the end of the row. |
Row
3: Take 5 beads on the needle (1Y 1Gr 1Y 1Gr 1Y).
Pass the needle through the middle bead of the next bow
(R). Repeat around the circle until you finish into the
same bead you started from.
Sew on through 2 more beads (Y, Gr) at the end of the
row. |
Row
3: The symbol "/" means "sew into
the middle bead of the next bow." |
| Row
4: 3R jo1, 3W into 2nd. Sew on through 2 beads
at the end of the row. |
Row
4: Take 3R beads on the thread and "jump
over one" (i.e. miss out a yellow bead and thread
through the next Green one).
Then, take 3W and thread into the 2nd bead in the next
bow (i.e. Green bead in the next group of 5 beads).
Repeat these 2 instructions around the whole circle. At
the end of the row, sew on through 2 more beads (Come
out mid R). |
Row
4: This row contains 2 instructions which must
be repeated around the circle.
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To
Secure: Make a button-hole stitch over the thread
between 2 beads, thread through a few more beads and trim. |
Glue
the ends inside the beads by applying a dab of clear nail
varnish before trimming. |
N.B:
Joining on New Thread:
Cut only one side of the doubled thread, so that
you have a long and a short end. This way the knots will be
spaced and you won't have the bulk of 2 knots passing through
a bead at the same time. Re thread the needle with new thread
and join with 2 reef knots. Trim the ends to about 5mm (you
can 'tidy up' the ends later by using a dab of nail polish
to glue them inside the beads before trimming).
DESIGN:
Lynda Pedersen 1997
© OLAF BEADWORK
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