Beadweaving with the Double Needle Technique

Many of you have strung together beads with one needle and thread and maybe accidentally or on purpose you've visualized a way to go faster or to have more intricate designs by using two needles.

To use this method, you get a long piece of beading thread, and thread one needle on each end. I like to start with a loop made of seed beads. Thread 30 or so beads onto the thread using one of the needles and park them about in the center of the thread. Now, using either needle go through the whole row again forming a circle. Now 2 strands are going through every bead. This loop will be the fastener of your necklace.

We are going to make a necklace that appears to have two strands. Sometimes we will be going though the bigger beads from both directions. One needle pulls all the way through one end going right to left. Then the other needle goes left to right. When I'm not using one of the needles I park it in a bit of fabric (usually on my skirt) so it doesn't dangle and fall off. I'm using big eye needles anyway so the needles stay where I put them, but some needles will get pulled off by gravity so find a place to park it. You can also keep a pin cushion nearby to park it in.

This is easier to explain in a photo than with words, so be sure to look at the photos.

Keep going a few inches at a time, first using one needle, then the other. Gently snug up the thread every few inches and take care not to tangle up your parts. If your thread wants to tangle you can run it through a cake of beeswax each time you rethread. I find the thread tangles more as you get near the center of the spool so keep some beeswax handy.

To finish, find a bead that your loop at the beginning or your necklace will fit over fairly easily, but not so easily it will fall off later. Fasten the closure bead with several loops of thread, knot and secure with jeweler's glue. Weave in ends and trim.

Troubleshooting

1. Make sure all the beads have holes large enough for the needle and thread to go through 2 or 3 times. If you are struggling, switch beads or switch needles or switch thread.

2. Oddballs: Get rid of lopsided, too thin or too thick beads or they will make things look screwy. Save them for projects where you glue beads on instead, like collages.

3. Check for colorfastness. Take a few beads, put them in a bowl with hot water, then lay them on a white paper napkin. If they bleed, don't use them. You don't want them sweating onto your blouses or skin later.

4. If you noticed the finish of the bead coming off on your hands, switch. It's not worth it to have all the finish gone by the time you finish the necklace. Unfortunately, better beads usually cost more money, especially with the metallic finishes.

5. Fatigue: Beading and being tired don't go well together. Never bead when you are tired or when your eyes hurt. Rest your eyes every twenty minutes.

6. A beading tray will make it easier to design your necklace. Remember that not all necklaces need to be symmetrical.

7. A beading mat will help you keep your beads in place until you need to pick them up.

8. Pets and children are notorious for knocking bead containers over. Screw on lids, tape packages shut, cover bead bowls frequently just in case your cat decides to take a flying leap into your lap.

You can use this same technique for bracelets and earrings. Play with it. Try different shapes of beads. Have fun.