There are some crafts that are on my “no go never will touch them” list. Up until recently, that included beadweaving.

Then one day, I was scrolling Pinterest and saw a beadwoven bracelet that I loved, and that was enough. Before I knew it I had ordered a beadweaving loom, beautiful Japanese made glass beads and all the other tools you need to get started.

I received my parcel and as I held the little cylinders of colourful beads in my hand, to be completely honest, I was already hooked! 😆

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It took a little while to figure out the right materials for the right job, but very quickly I found the tools and materials I love and made a start with a sample.

I was surprised at how easily I was able to pick up beadweaving and the huge range of beautiful design and project possibilities.

That sample became a Keychain Project for Kindred Creatives Club members with 3 video lessons, materials list and printable pattern. Now I’m working on a beautiful bracelet project for one of my daughters.

Designing For Beadweaving

One of the really fun parts of beadweaving is the design process. You can make this is as simple as you want, by using graph paper and colour pencils. I personally love the flexibility of using an online tool for designing, as it’s so easy to move colours around and change the boxes as you go to ensure your design is just how you want it.

Considering I’m planning to continue having fun with beadweaving, I made an interactive tool to help with the design process. It’s still a work in progress (please let me know if you encounter any issues at all!) but so far in my testing it has proved very useful.

You can make a design right here on the screen in the pattern maker, specify the width and length of your project, choose from a variety of colours and then download your design to either print or use from your screen. The pattern maker gives you a bead count so you know exactly how many beads of each colour your design requires.

You can download as a PNG file, export as a PDF or go directly to print.

Another handy feature is the ability to save a design to your device and then load it back into the pattern maker at a later date.

If you need some help to start using the Pattern Maker, scroll down to access the video tutorial I made ⤵️

Beadweaving Pattern Maker Video Tutorial

Beadweaving Project Ideas

Just like inkle weaving, many weavers are left with gorgeous finished products and the question – “what do I do with this?”

Beadweaving is very versatile and unique and many finished projects are possible. Personally, I love the woven bracelet as it showcases a design beautifully, does not require a very wide or long warp and is a very achievable project, even for a beginner.

But there are so many more projects you can make, so I’m including a list of suggestions here to get you thinking:

• Watch Bands: Weave two precise strips matching your wrist size and attach standard watch adapter bars or sliders at the ends with fold over ribbon crimps or stitched loop channels.
• Hatbands: Long, narrow strips make striking accents around fedoras, sun hats, akubras or felt hats. Finish the ends with leather ties or a small buckle so it can adjust to different headwear.
• Belts & Sash Accents: Weave a full length strip, or weave shorter ornamental panels designed to be sewn onto canvas, webbing, or leather backings for flexibility and strength.
• Guitar / Instrument Straps: Bead a high-impact, wide centre strip and stitch it along the face of a heavy cotton or leather guitar strap.
• Lanyards & Key Fobs: A narrow 12–15 bead wide strip attached to a swivel snap hook or key ring. You can loop it over for a wristlet or weave a longer neck strap.

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Home & Everyday Items

• Bookmarks: Lightweight, flat strips capped with silk tassels or suede cord ends. Keep the profile thin so it doesn’t strain book spines.
• Wall Tapestries & Hanging Scrolls: Create wider graphic panels, finishing the top edge around a thin wooden dowel or brass rod for hanging, and adding fringe or beaded drops along the bottom.
• Small Bags & Pouch Fronts: Weave two matching wide panels (or one long folded panel) and stitch the sides together to form a small pouch for scissors, measuring tapes, or keepsake items.
• Inlays for Leatherware / Woodwork: Glue or stitch beadwoven strips into recessed channels on wallet covers, journal covers, handbag straps, or wooden jewelry boxes.

I hope you find the Pattern Maker very useful in your own beadweaving journey!

Until next time…

Happy (bead)Weaving!

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy here.