I designed this necklace for a friend who likes to dance and often participates in shows, including Chinese dance compositions.
The necklace is comfortable to wear and easy to make.
Flat Double Spiral Necklace Tutorial "Chinese Dancer"
Flat Double Spiral Stitch
Beads
- 6/0 seed beads
- 8/0 seed beads
- Chinese crystals 2 X 3 mm
- Faceted glass beads 6 X 8 mm
- 11/0 seed beads in primary color (A)
- 11/0 seed beads in an accent color (B)
- Drop beads
To complete the necklace you will also need two closed rings (I used 8 mm rings) and two spring rings (I used 5 mm) and a Lobster clasp.
Tools and Supplies
A clasp of your choice
Beading thread
2 soldered jump rings
2 open jump rings
Beading needle size 10 or 12
Jewelry pliers
Techniques
Instructions
Use as much thread as you can handle at one time. For me, one and a half yards is a manageable length.
Step 1
Place a stop bead on a thread leaving enough thread to attach a clasp of your choice.
Pick up two 6/0 beads and then pick up seven (7) 11/0 beads of a primary color. Pass through the two(2) 6/0 beads again creating the first loop of a top spiral.
Step 2
Pick up two (2) 11/0 A beads, one 8/0 bead, one crystal, one 8/0 bead and two(2) 11/0 A beads. Pass through same 6/0 beads picked up in Step 1. The first loop of the “down” spiral is created.
Step 3
Pick up one 6/0 bead and seven 11/0 seed beads in a primary color.
Pass through last 6/0 bead at the base of the spiral…
… and then through the 6/0 bead you have picked up in this very same step.
Step 4
Second loop in the down spiral.
Pick up a 11/0 A bead, a 11/0 B bead, a 11/0 A bead, a crystal, a drop bead, a crystal, a 11/0 A bead, a 11/0 B bead, and a 11/0 A bead.
Pass through last two 6/0 beads.
Repeat Step 3 to create another loop in a top spiral.
Step 5
Third loop in the down spiral.
Pick up one 11/0 B bead, one 8/0 bead, two 11/0 A beads, a faceted bead, two 11/0 A beads, a 8/0 bead and a 11/0 B bead. Pass through last two 6/0 beads.
Repeat Step 3 to create another loop in a top spiral.
Step 6
To complete the motif, repeat loops mirroring the order of steps: Step 4, Step 3, Step 2.
To start a new motif, repeat Step 3.
If this is your last motif move to Finishing Up section.
From this point you can repeat this pattern starting from Step 2 for as long as you like. Well, I stopped when the necklace formed, but you can certainly bead around the whole globe!
Finishing Up and Attaching the Clasp
Pick up seven 11/0 beads and a closed ring and pass through two or three #6 base beads. Secure the thread passing through different loops of beads in different directions and making a couple of knots on the way. Hide the thread. Return to the beginning of the spiral, remove the stop beads and repeat same steps to finish the other end.
Attach spring rings to closed rings. I used a Lobster clasp for this tutorial, but you can undoubtedly try any necklace clasp you like.
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