OLAF Beadwork - Printable Introduction to the Circular Netting Technique

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.

(a)	(b)	(c) (Notes)
	(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.	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.
	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).

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