First beaded braid

Working with the beads is fun. It is more frustrating if you make an error though as it is extremely obvious yet difficult to correct. I can't wait to make a full beaded braid.

On this braid, I started with approximately 4 strands of Fireline 6lb/Size D in Smoke 60" long. Strung 20" of 8/0 Czech seed beads in color Vineyard on each strand. Hints for the future: big eye needle. Slide needle into beads while still in the hank. When winding onto bobbins even out the bead to thread ratio to make it easier to feed out more. I didn't and and hand to completely unwind and rewind to compensate. 4 strands of 20lb (1mm) purple hemp.

It is a basic 8 strand spiral braid. It is done in the same manner of an all fiber braid but when it is bead time, just let the bead drop into place between the two strands of the previous round(in this case the hemp. When you bring the hemp across, double check the bead is on the inside so the hemp holds it in place.

I weighted the braid generously with a handful of coins in a small baggie. When the braid was too long for the weight to be effective I simply clothes-pinned the weight higher. The weight really helped. I ran out of fireline when I had several inches of beads remaining. 43" of hemp remaining. Braid 15.5". About 7.5mm-8mm in diameter.