Published in Issue 20, December 2012
Written by Sally - Jo from The Bead Bounty
Christmas Angel Ornament
This sweet little ornament that measures approximately 3 and a half inches from head to toe, will make a great gift, or a pretty addition to your own Christmas tree.
You will need10g of good quality size 8 seed beads
1 x 8-10mm facetted oval crystal bead for the head
2 x 15-16mm dagger beads for the feet
2 x 6mm drop beads for the hands
2 x flower beads for the cuffs
1 x 14mm decorative bead cap for the head
21 x 6mm twisted bugle for the legs
Waxed beading thread (i.e. Nymo)
Bead needle
Scissors
Bead mat or good surface for working with small beads
Instructions
Step 1. With approximately 1 metre of thread on needle pick up 2 size 8 seed beads and position them on the thread with about a 6 inch tail remaining.
Step 2 & 3. Pass the needle back through the beads and position the beads alongside each other with the holes showing.
Step 4 & 5. Pick up another bead and pass the needle through the previous bead and then back up through the newly added bead.
Pick up another bead and add it in the same way making sure that each bead sits alongside the last with the hole showing (this is called Ladder stitch)
Step 6. Keep adding beads in the same way until you have a row of 15 beads.
Step 7 & 8. Second row - Pick up a bead and pass the needle through the thread between the first two beads on the previous row and then back up through the new bead. This bead should now sit, with its hole showing, between the first two beads on row one.
Step 9 & 10. Pick up another bead and pass the needle through the thread between the next two beads on row one and then back up through the newly added bead. This bead should sit alongside the first bead with its hole showing.
Step 11. Continue to add beads in the same way until you have 14 beads. This is called Brick stitch.
Step 12. Row 3 add 13 beads, row 4 add 12 beads, row 5 add 11 beads etc. Continue to add rows, decreasing by one bead each row until you add the last bead at row 15 and you have created a triangle.
Step 4 & 5. Pick up another bead and pass the needle through the previous bead and then back up through the newly added bead.
Pick up another bead and add it in the same way making sure that each bead sits alongside the last with the hole showing (this is called Ladder stitch)
Step 6. Keep adding beads in the same way until you have a row of 15 beads.
Step 7 & 8. Second row - Pick up a bead and pass the needle through the thread between the first two beads on the previous row and then back up through the new bead. This bead should now sit, with its hole showing, between the first two beads on row one.
Step 9 & 10. Pick up another bead and pass the needle through the thread between the next two beads on row one and then back up through the newly added bead. This bead should sit alongside the first bead with its hole showing.
Step 11. Continue to add beads in the same way until you have 14 beads. This is called Brick stitch.
Step 12. Row 3 add 13 beads, row 4 add 12 beads, row 5 add 11 beads etc. Continue to add rows, decreasing by one bead each row until you add the last bead at row 15 and you have created a triangle.
Leave the excess thread to use again later in the pattern. Repeat steps 1-8 to make a second triangle.
Step 13 - 18 Sew the two triangles together down each side by going up 2 beads at one side and down 1 at the other making sure to keep them in line with each other. Leave the bottom open.
Step 19 - 21. Attach the head by picking up the facetted bead, bead cap and a seed bead. Pass the needle back down through the bead cap and facetted bead bypassing the seed bead as this acts as the anchor for the head. Pull the thread tight so that the beads sit snugly next to the triangle and pass the needle through several beads to fasten it off. You can add some thread or thin ribbon to the seed bead at the top of the head later to hang the ornament from your tree.
Step 22. For the wings, bring an anchored thread out of the middle bead on the 4th row down from the head, pick up 16 beads and secure them in a circle. Pick up another 16 beads and anchor them at the other side making a figure of eight.
Step 23 - 25. For the arms, bring an anchored thread from the side of the triangle where you want the arms to start, pick up 1 seed, 1 twisted bugle, 1 seed, 1 twisted bugle, 1 flower bead as a cuff and a drop bead as a hand.
Pass the needle back up through all of the beads except the drop as this acts as anchor. In the same way as the head, pull the thread tight so that the beads sit snugly against the triangle. Pass the needle through several beads on the triangle so that the thread emerges at the opposite side to add the second arm and repeat for the 2nd arm.
Step 26 - 27. Bringing a secure thread from the inside top of the triangle pick up 4 twisted bugle, 1 seed, 4 twisted bugle, 1 seed and 1 dagger bead. Pass the needle back up all except the dagger (this acts as the anchor) and pull the beads up tightly to the top of the triangle and secure. Pass the needle back down inside the triangle and repeat for the 2nd leg but this time add 5 twisted bugle beads instead of 4 in the first group, this makes the 2nd leg a little longer than the first.
Please note: This is a very versatile little ornament. You can hang it from your tree, sit it on your mantle piece or wear it as jewellery i.e. a brooch or necklace.
If you wish to purchase the bead kit at £6.95 (which includes all the beads with needle and thread to make 1 ornament) please visit www.thebeadbounty.com. When you purchase the kit the pattern will be sent digitally via email.
Step 13 - 18 Sew the two triangles together down each side by going up 2 beads at one side and down 1 at the other making sure to keep them in line with each other. Leave the bottom open.
Step 19 - 21. Attach the head by picking up the facetted bead, bead cap and a seed bead. Pass the needle back down through the bead cap and facetted bead bypassing the seed bead as this acts as the anchor for the head. Pull the thread tight so that the beads sit snugly next to the triangle and pass the needle through several beads to fasten it off. You can add some thread or thin ribbon to the seed bead at the top of the head later to hang the ornament from your tree.
Step 23 - 25. For the arms, bring an anchored thread from the side of the triangle where you want the arms to start, pick up 1 seed, 1 twisted bugle, 1 seed, 1 twisted bugle, 1 flower bead as a cuff and a drop bead as a hand.
Pass the needle back up through all of the beads except the drop as this acts as anchor. In the same way as the head, pull the thread tight so that the beads sit snugly against the triangle. Pass the needle through several beads on the triangle so that the thread emerges at the opposite side to add the second arm and repeat for the 2nd arm.
Step 26 - 27. Bringing a secure thread from the inside top of the triangle pick up 4 twisted bugle, 1 seed, 4 twisted bugle, 1 seed and 1 dagger bead. Pass the needle back up all except the dagger (this acts as the anchor) and pull the beads up tightly to the top of the triangle and secure. Pass the needle back down inside the triangle and repeat for the 2nd leg but this time add 5 twisted bugle beads instead of 4 in the first group, this makes the 2nd leg a little longer than the first.
Please note: This is a very versatile little ornament. You can hang it from your tree, sit it on your mantle piece or wear it as jewellery i.e. a brooch or necklace.
If you wish to purchase the bead kit at £6.95 (which includes all the beads with needle and thread to make 1 ornament) please visit www.thebeadbounty.com. When you purchase the kit the pattern will be sent digitally via email.
No comments:
Post a Comment