Bead Patterns and Ideas : Snowflake stitch exploration

This pattern is inspired by my snowflake patterns. The stitch has been used in almost all my snowflake patterns. Usually I use this stitch in the Round with a circle of 3, 5 and 7 beads, with the top bead, added after the even round of beads of 2, 4 or 6, for a point or to attach the next round. I have also used this with my necklace patterns in a similar form.

When working on my exploration of the stitch, I added a variation taking out the horizontal beads. This helps the piece to lay flatter. Great for making a bracelet. It gives it a different look too. I think doing this version would be more versatile too for styling other patterns

I started this tutorial a couple of years ago and lost the file. I recently found the pattern again and decided to put it here on my free pattern blog. This design is done flat rather than working in a Round as the snowflakes are worked. This design it is very flexible because you can mix amounts of your base with the 3, 5 or 7 beads (I will show you in a later photo).

In the future I hope to have some patterns designed using this snowflake stitch. If you have any ideas please email me and I will post them here and at Facebook.

It could also need a name. Any ideas?

A = Miyuki, 11° SEED beads, any color
B = Miyuki, 11° SEED beads, any color

Start by waxing and stretching your thread, use Nymo D or C-Lon & a #11 or #12 beading needle. I used Fireline 6lb. crystal. Tie in a "stopper" bead, leaving about an 12" tail and begin at step #1.

	1. Pick up 5A, go with thread forward through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd A just added.
	2. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 4th, 5th and 1st A beads, step #1.
	3. Pick up 2B, 5A, go with thread forward through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd A just added.
	4. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 4th, 5th and 1st A beads, step #3.
	5. Continue by repeating steps #3 and #4 for the width that you would like.
	6. Pick up 4A, go with thread left to right through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	7. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, step #6, and left to right through the B bead in the previous row as shown.
	8. Pick up 2B, go with thread left to right through the next B bead in the previous row as shown.
	9. Pick up 4A, go with thread left to right through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	10. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, step #9, and left to right through the B bead in the previous row as shown.
	11. Continue by repeating steps #8, #9 and #10 to the other end.
	12. Pick up 4A, go with thread right to left through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	13. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, step #12, and right to left through the B bead in the previous row as shown.
	14. a) Pick up 2B, go with thread right to left through the next B bead in the previous row as shown. b) Pick up 4A, go with thread right to left through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	15. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, step #14a, and right to left through the B bead in the previous row as shown.
	16. Continue by repeating steps #14a, #14b and #15 to the other end.
	17. Continue rows by repeating steps #8 through #16 until you reach the length the yuo would like.
	18. After completing your final row and a row of 2 B beads between the picot beads in the last row.

	1. Pick up 5A, go with thread forward through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd A just added.
	2. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 4th and 5th, step #1.
	3. Pick up 5A, go with thread forward through the 1st and 2nd A just added.
	4. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, added in the last step.
	5. Continue by repeating steps #3 and #4 for the width that you would like. Following the green dotted line in illustration, go with thread up and forward through the 5th, 1st and 2nd A beads, and left to right through the 1 B bead as shown.
	6. Pick up 4A, go with thread left to right through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	7. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, added in the last step.
	8. Pick up 4A, go with thread left to right through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	9. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, added in the last step.
	10. Continue row by repeating steps #8 and #9 to the other end. Following the green dotted line in illustration, go with thread up and forward through the B bead in the previous row, the 1st and 2nd A beads, and right to left through the 1 B bead as shown.
	11. Pick up 4A, go with thread right to left through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	12. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, added in the last step.
	13. Pick up 4A, go with thread right to left through the B bead in the previous row and up through the 1st and 2nd A beads just added.
	14. Pick up 1B, go with thread down (forward) through the 3rd and 4th A beads, added in the last step.
	15. Continue row by repeating steps #13 and #14 to the other end. Following the green dotted line in illustration, go with thread up and forward through the B bead in the previous row, the 1st and 2nd A beads, and left to right through the 1 B bead as shown.
	13. Continue your piece by repeating steps #11 through #15 until you reach the length that you would like.