Suppy List Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Basic Square Stitch Instructions
Sample
1. Size B Nymo thread
2. Wax or Thread Conditioner
3. Size 10 beading needle
4. Delica Beads, 4 colors,
DB 722, DB 723, DB 724, DB 725.
5. Scissors
Included are step by step instructions for
making the "Sample" as shown. Using these
6. Pattern
instructions to make the sample should get
you well on your way to creating beautiful
Square Stitched Bead Work.
Many patterns created for Loom work can
be created using the Square Stitch.
No LOOM needed.
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Basic Square Stitch
Getting Started Basic Square Stitch
Option - Fringe
Sample
Sample
We will start with the "Base Rows" (Rows 1 & 2)
Option:
To add Fringe (one example):
1. Cut a 1 to 1-1/2 yard length of size B
Weave so that needle/thread
Nymo thread.
are exiting the end bead, on
the inside where beads are
2. Wax or Condition the thread.
touching.
3. Thread a size 10 beading needle with
the conditioned/waxed thread.
Pick up fringe beads,
shown are 6 fringe
beads plus 1 turn around bead.
4. Have beads ready, we will be using 4
colors of Delica Beads.
Insert needle UP through the 6
DB 722 - DB 723 - DB 724 - DB 725
fringe beads (not the turn
around bead), snug. Insert
5. Printed pattern.
needle through the bead you
originally started from X and
through the next bead. You
are ready for the next fringe.
Repeat.
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
X
Pattern Basic Square Stitch
Option - Tube Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
Option:
To form a tube:
Stitch the last row to the first Hole Orientation
Square
row (no new beads are added).
Base Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Stitch bead 17 to bead 36:
Rows
Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Insert needle DOWN through bead
17, snug. Insert needle UP through
Row 3
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
bead 36, snug. Insert needle
DOWN through beads 17 then 15,
Row 4
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
snug.
All numbers indicate the order
1-36
in which beads are picked up.
Stitch bead 15 to bead 35:
Insert needle UP through bead 35,
sung. Insert needle DOWN
Indicates which direction to follow.
through beads 15 then 13, snug,
Continue until all beads from both
Sample and Blank Patterns/Grids
rows have been joined together.
Hole Orientation
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
17
36
15
35
13
3
Step 1 Basic Square Stitch
Step 18 Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
A place to start:
Base Rows = Row 1 & Row 2.
We will start with 4 beads, marked as:
Congratulations!!!!
1, 2, 3 and 4.
Your Sample is complete.
We will start at the top of this pattern.
Once the stitch is mastered you will be able to start
at the bottom or top whichever you desire.
This stitch does produce somewhat of a nap. The
beads will lean slightly in one direction. It is not
always noticeable. Once I started in the middle of a
pattern and was using silver lined beads.... and boy
could I see it clearly!
Base rows =
Hole Orientation
Rows 1 & 2
Left to Right
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Hole Orientation
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
3
Step 2 Basic Square Stitch
Step 17 Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
Pick up beads 1, 2, 3, and 4.
First Bead 1 then 2 then 3 then 4.
Finishing:
Slide the beads down toward the tail end of
the thread, leaving a 6" to 8" tail.
Weave both thread ends into bead
work. Weave up and down rows,
Thread is never doubled in this project.
square stitch beads in various
places. Be sure excess thread is
not visible or bulky in one area..
Example of Weaving to
secure tail/end threads.
Weaving threads also can
Tail - leave enough thread so
reinforce your work.
it can be woven into the
finished beadwork. Approx.
When you have woven the threads
6-8 "
in, be sure to insert the
needle/thread in a straight line
through about 5-6 beads (this is
to help prevent the thread from
backing out). Use sharp scissors
to cut the remaining thread off.
NOTE: Sometimes you can use tail
thread for fringe or other
finishing needs.
NOTE: Adding/Starting NEW
Hole Orientation
threads is also done by weaving
thread into the bead work.
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Base rows =
Rows 1 & 2
Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Left to Right
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
1
4
2
3
Step 3 Basic Square Stitch Step 16 Basic Square Stitch
Sample Sample
Insert needle/thread back through beads 1 and 2.
Repeat Steps 10 to 15 for all
6-8" Tail:
remaining rows.
Snug beads.
Tail thread should exit bead 1 and needle/thread
end will exit bead 2 as shown.
6-8" Tail:
4 3
6-8" Tail:
Hole Orientation
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Hole Orientation
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Base rows =
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Rows 1 & 2
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Row 2
Left to Right 4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
2
1
27
28
4
3
2
1
Step 15 Basic Square Stitch
Step 4 Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
Pick up 2 beads:
Bead 5 from row 1,
Repeat Steps 13 and 14 to the end of the row.
then bead 6 from row 2.
Flip work vertically, ready for the next row.
6-8" Tail:
4 3 6 5
Insert needle/thread through bead 3 only.
6-8" Tail:
Hole Orientation
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Hole Orientation
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
Row 1
Base rows = 1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Rows 1 & 2
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Left to Right
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
4
27
1
2
Step 14 Basic Square Stitch
Step 5 Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
Snug beads together.
Insert needle DOWN through
the new bead just added.
6-8" Tail:
Snug.
4 3 6
Insert needle/thread through beads 2 & 5.
6-8" Tail:
6-8" Tail:
4 3 6
Hole Orientation
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Hole Orientation
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Base rows =
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Rows 1 & 2
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Left to Right
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
16
20
1
2
5
1
2
5
Step 13 Basic Square Stitch Step 6 Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
Snug beads together.
6-8" Tail:
Pick up 1 bead (watch pattern for
color changes).
4 3 6
Insert needle UP through the bead
from the previous row that you
want this bead to sit next to.
Snug. (No loose thread should be
showing.)
The rest of the beads in the base rows are added 2
beads at a time, one bead from row 1 and one bead from
row 2.
Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 for adding beads
7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14, 15 & 16, 17 & 18.
6-8" Tail:
Hole Orientation
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Hole Orientation
Base rows =
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Rows 1 & 2
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Left to Right Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
16
20
1
2
5
Step 7 Basic Square Stitch Step 12 Basic Square Stitch
Sample Sample
The last thing we do at the end of the base rows is to
square up the last 2 beads added.
Insert needle DOWN through
the new bead just added.
Insert needle/thread through bead 18 (last bead added
in row 2).
Snug.
18
6-8" Tail:
Insert needle/thread through bead 17 (last bead added
in row 1).
17
6-8" Tail:
Hole Orientation
6-8" Tail:
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Hole Orientation
Base rows = 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Rows 1 & 2
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Left to Right
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
19
18
Step 11 Basic Square Stitch
Step 8 Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
Snug all beads together.
Insert needle UP through the bead from
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
the previous row (the bead you want this
You have completed the BASE ROWS!
new bead to layt next to.
Snug. (No loose thread should be showing.)
18
*If beads are not laying properly, fix the problem
before moving on. It is not usually possible to FIX
problems later.
*If at anytime you find you need to backtrack or take a
section apart, unthread your needle first.
Backtracking with a needle usually creates more knots
6-8" Tail:
Hole Orientation
and problems.
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Hole Orientation
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 Base rows =
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Rows 1 & 2
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Row 2
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Left to Right
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
18
19
ail:
" T
6-8
Step 9 Basic Square Stitch
Step 10 Basic Square Stitch
Sample
Sample
ROW 3:
Preparing for Row 3.
Pick up 1 bead (the first bead
Turn bead work vertically as
for this row).
shown.
We must reposition our
needle/thread to exit bead
18 before we can begin row 3.
Insert needle DOWN through
beads 18 and 16. Insert
needle UP through bead 15
then UP bead 18.
We are ready for row 3.
6-8" Tail:
6-8" Tail:
Hole Orientation
6-8" Tail:
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Hole Orientation
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Base rows =
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
Row 1
1 2 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
Rows 1 & 2
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Row 2
Left to Right
4 3 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
Copyright 2003 by Rita Sova
18
19
18
18
16
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