Cymbal Sitia Checkerboard Earrings

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Project details:

I was so excited when I heard we would be launching the Cymbal line! Each piece is perfectly designed to work with its corresponding bead type.

In this design, I use the Cymbal Sitia Endings for 8/0 round seed beads to create checkerboard earrings. I utilized the square stitch to create an off-loom design that looks deceptively loomed.

You can easily keep the stitch going and create a bracelet instead of earrings.

↓ Step-by-step

↓ Buy the supplies

Supplies you’ll need:

2 Cymbal Sitia Endings for 8/0 Round Seed Beads 2 Antique Silver Earring Posts 2 Post Earring Backs About 2 meters of WildFire 0.006" thread 1 beading needle 36 Bronze Round 15/0 Seed Beads 28 Matte Iris Teal 8/0 Seed Beads 30 Matte Mauve Mocha 8/0 Seed Beads

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1

Cut about a meter of beading thread. Add your needle and string a stopper bead. The stopper bead will help keep tension while we establish the first couple rows of the design.

Step 2

Onto your thread string one iris teal round and one mauve mocha round.

Step 3

Pass through the loop of the Cymbal element. Add one mauve mocha round and one iris teal round.

Step 4

Now we're ready to make the turn to start a second row. Flip the Cymbal element if you wish in order to keep working in the same direction.

Step 5

Pick up one mauve mocha round. Pass your needle down the bottom iris teal round. This is the bead that will be to the left of your soon to be added mauve mocha round.

Step 6

You can see that the newly added mauve mocha round nestles to the right of the iris teal round.

Step 7

Finish the stitch by passing your needle back up the newly added mauve mocha round.

Square stitch complete!

Step 8

Add on the next bead in the row in the same fashion. Pick up the next bead- one iris teal round. Pass your needle down the bead it will neighbor. Then pass back up through the iris teal round.

We're creating a thread square that connects the two beads side by side.

Step 9

This is where you should be at the end of step 8.

Notice the beads are not sitting perfectly and the tension's a bit off. That's okay! We'll reinforce the rows soon and that will straighten things out.

Step 10

Finish the row using the square stitch and following the checkerboard pattern.

Step 11

Now we're reading to reinforce the first two rows and at the same time, add our scalloping.

Pick up 3 bronze round 15/0 seed beads onto your needle. Pass your needle back down through the first row, exiting the other side of the design.

Step 12

Pick up three more bronze round 15/0 seed beads and pass up through the second row.

We now have two completed rows.

Step 13

At this point you can remove the stopper bead if you wish.

Step 14

Flip your work again and begin on the third row. Reinforce this row by passing down row two and back up your newly added third row.

Step 15

Flip your work and finish the fourth row.

Step 16

Before making the turn to reinforce row 4, pick up three bronze 15/0 beads. Pass your needle back through row 3.

Pick up 3 more bronze 15/0 beads and pass through row 4.

Step 17

Add row 5. Reinforce this row by passing down row four and back up your newly added fifth row.

Step 18

Add row 6.

Step 19

Before making the turn to reinforce row 6, pick up three bronze 15/0 beads. Pass your needle back through row 5.

Pick up 3 more bronze 15/0 beads and pass through row 6.