I recently posted this question on my local Beading Forum but unfortunately I have not received any replies so am interested to see what tips and advice
my fellow beading bloggers have to say in response to my questions regarding herringbone.
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I have just taught myself Herringbone stitch using a fantastic online video tutorial (using diagrams).
Instead of starting with flat Herringbone I jumped in at the deep end and started with tubular.
The pattern I have used is called a "basic 3 ladder stitch'' which I am currently stitching in size 11/0 seed beads using 4 colours.
My questions are:
* If I want a thicker rope do I simply use larger beads such as size 8/0 or do I just add more beads to the starting ring (which was made up of 6 beads).
* If I add extra beads will that mean the number of ladders will be increased (me thinks it will)?
* If I want to use a mixture of beads such as size 11/0 seed beads and delica beads do I have to use the beads in any specific order (i.e. a row of seed beads and then a row of delicas)
* Can I randomly replace one of the seed beads with another bead such as a hex bead or small bicone or will this alter the structure of the piece?
At the moment I have been creating strips of 4 colours but am not happy with the stripey effect so I think I might create a bead soup of the 4 colours and use that mix instead.
I started this piece using a different pattern which used delicas only but I found the piece was so fine it was just too fiddly to work with whilst learning the stitch.
I am currently using 00 Nymo to stitch the piece and think perhaps a thicker thread might help with the tension. I don't seem to be having any tension problems so far but the Nymo does feel a little thin.
I don't like Fireline so that isn't an option for me unless someone can twist my arm to give Fireline another try! I currently only have 1lb so am thinking this might be too fine.
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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4 comments:
Okay, here goes....
1. you can use larger beads, or use more, but b/c it's herringbone, you have to work in even multiples, so add 8 beads, or 10, but never 5 or 7.
2. yes, ladders will increase, but work in evens!
3. you don't have to worry about what kind of beads you use, as long as they are the same size. If they're not, then they have to stay in the same row. (i.e. size 11, size 8, size 11)
4. I wouldn't try adding a bicone or something that large, it will completely throw off the rope effect. Whenever you add larger beads, the rope starts to spiral, if you add them in one line then you get kind of a Cellini effect.
5. Definitely use a thicker thread, I use Nymo D (I don't like Fireline either) Or, you can double up your OO Nymo.
I hope this helps!
Marcie is right! I love herringbone for it's options you can also add drops or lentils if you like (with lentils use 8/0s) like this one I did.
/kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-i-planned-to-do-and-what-didnt.html
I do however love fireline but I buy it at fishing stores if that makes a difference. Doubling up on nymo will work but watch for knotting!
Hope this helped
Hugs
You should be able to add a crystal randomly without affecting the structure of your rope if it's about the same size as your beads. A 3mm crystal is about the same size as an 8/0 bead, so you could try that. Keep in mind though that firepolished beads are longer from hole to hole than they are wide, so those might not work as well as a round or bicone crystal would.
If you are interested in trying twisted herringbone, you should definitely invest in some 6# fireline and check out my free tutorial here: beadingbutterfly.com/FREE_Twisted_Herringbone_Bangle_Tutorial.aspx
I love herringbone and I bet you will, too, after you have experimented a while. :)
Thanks guys - those comments and tips really helped.
I have discovered that this isn't the easiest stitch to unpick so I think I might just cut what I have done (to re-use the beads) and start a new one in a mixture of colours.
I don't have any size D Nymo in a colour to match but do have some KO thread to match so might give that a go.
I guess it is all a matter of experimenting and not being scared to add other beads and see how it goes!
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