Use the 'pattern below to make the largest cluster for the centre of the necklace. To make the small and medium sized clusters, follow the bold text in the middle of the page.
STEP 1
Thread a needle with 80cm of thread. Pick up 8 twin hole beads. Go through them
all again (using the same holes) to form a loose ring. Position it so that you have a
20cm tail then knot the threads to form a firm ring.
STEP 2
Pass the needle through the inner hole of the next twin hole bead then ‘step up’ to
begin the next row by going passing the needle through outer hole of the same bead.
Turn your work so that you’re going in your preferred direction. Pick up 1 twin hole
bead and go through the outer hole of the next twin hole bead.
STEP 3
Repeat all the way around. When you come to add the last bead, go through the last
bead of the first row and then the first bead added on the second row. You may
need to do this a bead at a time.
STEP 4
Step up by going through the outer hole of the nearest twin hole bead. Pick up 1 x
4mm fire polish bead and thread through the next twin bead. Repeat all the way
around, adding the 4mm beads between the twin hole beads.
STEP 5
Exit through the first 4mm bead added. Pick up 3 seed beads skip the twin hole
bead and go through the next 4mm bead. Arrange the seed beads so they sit neatly
around end of the twin hole bead.
STEP 6
Repeat all the way around. When you come to add the last three seed beads, go
through the last 4mm fire polish bead and the first two seed beads of the 3 you
added at the beginning of step 5.
STEP 7
Pick up 1 x seed bead, 1 x 6mm fire polish bead and 1 x seed bead. Go through the
middle bead of the next group of seed beads. Repeat all the way around.
STEP 8
Exit through a 6mm fire polish bead and pick up 1 x 4mm fire polish bead. Go
through the next 6mm bead and repeat all the way around, adding 4mm beads
between them.
To make the 2 small clusters follow step 1 and, change direction by threading through one of the outer holes on the nearest twin. Then add a single seed bead between each of the twins to fill the gaps. Weave in your threads to finish your small cluster.
To make 2 medium sized clusters follow steps 1 to 3. Follow step 4 by replace the 4mm fire polish beads with 6mm fire polish beads. Then add a single seed bead between each of these beads. Weave in your threads to finish the medium sized cluster.
STEP 9
To string your clusters together, cut an armspan of thread and thread your largest cluster to the centre by passing through one of the 6mm beads. String your choice of beads on either side of the cluster then add the medium clusters, a few more beads and then the smallest clusters as shown in the main image to the left. Make up the rest of the chain on either side with more beads. To finish your piece you can form small loops at the end of the chain by adding 3 seed beads, your clasp and 3 seed beads, then you thread back down the chain. Repeat this on the other side of the necklace and add 6 seed beads to make the loop, then open a jumpring and attach this on. Weave your threads back down into your design and make knots along the way to secure them properly. Trim off the excess cord once you're confident that it won't unravel.