This month I thought I’d show you how to create a bracelet using the Right Angle Weave commonly called RAW for short and using two colors of beads. 

This is a great way to use leftover beads like these purple beads I’ve had for a long time or to repurpose beads from an older piece as are the pearls used here.

I also used purple Embroidery Floss as an alternate for the usual stringing material.  You may prefer to use some other stringing material.  Just make sure several strands will fit the bead holes.

Length of this bracelet is 7 ½” on the ruler or a size 7 ¼ on the bracelet sizer.

supplies

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:

Sharp Scissors

Thread…I used Embroidery Floss here (to match the purple beads)

2 big eye beading needles (if using floss)

2-#12 English beading needles (if using another stringing material)

Needle threader

1-9mm Lobster Claw clasp

1-6mm jump ring, preferably a soldered one

38-4mm beads of color A (purple here)

26-4mm beads of color B (pearls here)

2-6mm pretty silver beads.  These can be plain or fancy.

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STEP 1:

If using Embroidery Floss pull out a strand about 18” long.  Separate into two sets of three threads.  Take one of these strands and fold in half.  Slip the looped end through your jump ring and over the loose ends…   

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STEP 2:

Snug this up to your jump ring.  Now you have two strands to work with.  

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STEP 3:

Place one needle on each strand and pass through your silver 6mm bead…

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STEP 4:

…take one color A bead and pass your needles through in opposite directions. 

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Step 5:

…pull snug being careful to keep this bead straight under the silver bead.  For the next several steps we’ll be working only with color A beads.

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Step 6:

Pick up two beads on one thread and one bead on the other thread…

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Step 7:

…and pass the needle and single beaded thread through bead two on the other side…

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Step 8:

…pull threads snug and you’ve completed your first “set”.

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Step 9:

The next “sets” consist of only three beads each.

Add two beads on one thread and one bead on the other.  Again, pass needle and thread with the single bead through bead two on the other side.

NOTE: You can work in the opposite direction, two beads on the right and one on the left if that works better for you.  It doesn’t make any difference as long as you stick with the placement of the beads.

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Step 10:

Once you have completed six “sets” you’re ready to start with color B.  To easily count the “sets” you should now have 7 center beads.

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Step 11:

OK now this time add three of color B beads just like before, two on one thread and one on the other

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Step 12:

Snug up and you can begin to see the pattern emerge

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Step 13:

Add three more color B beads…

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Step 14:

…and repeat until you have six center beads

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Step 15:

Now you want one color B and one color A bead on one thread and one color B on the other

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Step 16:

Continue until you again have seven center beads

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Step 17:

What I did here to hold the beads snug was to make a double overhand knot on top of the last bead

Sorry for the blurry photo.  I didn't want to take the piece apart so see new photo below

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Step 18:

Make sure to make the knot as centered over the bead as possible 

Sorry for the blurry photo see new photo below.

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Step 19:

Now add your 6mm silver bead by run your two needles up through it.  Now you’re going to add the clasp.  First, because the jump ring on the toggle generally is not solid I removed it.  I suggest you do this so there’s no chance of your stringing material coming off the clasp. 

Simply pass your needles through the hole in opposite directions…

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Step 20:

…and back down through the silver bead…

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Step 21:

…then carefully pull everything snug.

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Step 22:

Run first one needle and thread through bead one…

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Step 23:

Then repeat with the other thread.

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Step 24:

Now you need to make a knot.  Pass your needle under and up through the middle of the “set”.  Leave a small loop and pass your needle and thread back through it and pull snug.  Repeat on the other side.

To make a little more secure knot, pass your thread back through the loop a second time before pulling snug.

Finish by weaving both threads back through the next few beads.  Pull taught and clip as close as possible.

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Step 25:

This is what your bracelet should look like at this point.

If you wish you may just leave it as is or go on to the next steps to add the side detailing shown in the top photo.

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Step 26:

Take your other piece of 18” floss or cut another piece if using another stringing material.  Put one needle on each end and pass one through the third color B bead in the center section.

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Step 27:

…now run your needles down through the next outer bead (bead 4 on the outer side)…

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Step 28:

…add three beads to each side and bring thread around and back through that same bead.

If you wish you can use bead color A for a little interest here.

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Step 29:

Pull everything nice and snug…

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Step 30:

…pass one needle and thread through the next center bead…

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Step 31:

…repeat with the other one and pull snug.

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Step 32:

Now pass your needles and thread down through the next outer beads.  Make your security knots and thread tail weaving/securing as in Step 25.

Finished

Finished 2

To make this bracelet larger or smaller I recommend using some type of an extender. 

Extender

A simple chain that the lobster clasp can hook into is ideal.  Perhaps attaching a single matching bead on the end for a finishing touch.  The one here is about ¾” long with the pearl. 

I simply opened the link on one end of the chain and attached it to the jump ring part of the clasp.  If your chain links are soldered/solid simply use a jump ring of similar size.