Square Stitch Basics
Square stitch is a wonderful alternative to using a loom. The patterns can be
easily read, since they are set up on a standard grid. Square stitch is similar to Brick
stitch in terms of the amount of time it takes to weave a pattern. The method shown is
a little different from that commonly used and forms a more resilient weave.
Notions: Two colors of beads (one light, one dark) any size
Needle, thread, scissors
Step 1: Cut a piece of thread 1 yd long. Thread your needle. Add a Stop Bead to the
end of the thread. (A Stop Bead is a bead you pass through twice to secure the end)
Leave a 6 inch tail
to weave back in later
Step 2: We will start by working the first two rows simultaneously. I ve chosen two
colors of beads so that you can adapt the steps to a pattern. Each row will be a
different color: 1 2
Row 1: green We will be working
Row 2: pink vertically
Pick up two light beads (LB) and two dark beads (DB). Pass your needle
back around and through the first two light beads again, exiting the second LB
and forming a  square :
LB = pink
DB = green
Step 3: Pick up 1 LB and 1 DB. Pass back down through the closest DB in the stack.
Exit the DB and go over to the LB in the stack and go up through this bead. Continue
up through the LB you just added and exit:
added beads
Copyright 2004: Susan Mandel Distributed by www.bead-patterns.com
Step 4: Pick up 1 LB and 1 DB. Pass back down through the closest DB in the stack
and exit. Go up through the adjacent LB and through the LB you just added and exit.
Repeat this step until you have a desired height.
added beads
Step 5: Once you have finished your first two rows, pass your needle back down
through the first row of DBs until you reach the second to the last bead. Exit from this
bead. Pass your needle over and down through the last LBs and exit. You are now
ready to begin your new row. (Hint: For this tutorial, all rows are started at the bottom
and worked to the top or vice versa).
Tip: Some artists recommend working all rows in the same direction. Others suggest
working in both directions (top to bottom, then bottom to top). If you work in both
directions, you can eliminate steps 5 & 8. I ve illustrated the same direction method
here because this is what I use and it creates a more resilient weave.
Step 6: Pick up two DBs. Pass your needle down through the adjacent two LBs in the
prior row and exit. Pass your needle back up through the DBs you just added and exit.
Copyright 2004: Susan Mandel Distributed by www.bead-patterns.com
Step 7: Pick up one DB. Pass your needle down through the adjacent two LBs and
exit. Pass your needle back up through the adjacent DB in the stack and back up
through the DB you just added and exit. Repeat this step to the end of the row.
Tip: You are adding one bead
and going down through 2 beads
and up through 2 beads
added bead
Trick: Be sure to go down through the correct first LB. It is the bead that will sit next to
the bead you are adding.
Step 8: Once you have reached the end of the row, pass your needle and thread down
through the adjacent LBs until you reach the second to the last LB. Exit and pass over
to the last two DBs and continue down, exiting out the last DB (which was the first DB
you added in that row):
Step 9: Repeat from Step 6 until the desired length of beadwork is achieved. Don t
forget to alternate the colors in the rows!
Tips & Tricks:
1. The first two rows are woven simultaneously to help create the proper tension in the
beadwork. The second row beads are added first, followed by the first row.
2. Each new row is started by adding two beads. After that, only one bead at a time is
added in that row.
3. Ends are woven into the beadwork similarly to all other forms of off-loom bead
weaving. This  four square (four beads in a square) technique does not come apart,
so the number of knots is up to you!
4. I always work in the same direction but you can work in either direction if you prefer.
Copyright 2004: Susan Mandel Distributed by www.bead-patterns.com