Basic Brick Stitch – how to

A handy guide to the brick stitch basics, filled with quick tips and tricks. Learn now!

A brick stitch gets its name because the rows of beads resemble the layout of a brick wall. While it’s somewhat similar to the peyote stitch, brick stitch is stiffer, making it an ideal choice for creating earrings and pendants, especially those made from seed beads.

The first row of the brick stitch is created using the ladder stitch technique, where beads are placed side by side in a line. Each subsequent layer is attached by sewing through the stitches holding the previous row, resulting in an offset pattern known as the brick stitch.

This versatile technique works well with seed beads of any size or shape, including larger or even square beads.

1. String two beads onto your thread, leaving a 7-8 inch tail.
2. Pass the thread back through the beads and pull the taut, positioning the beads snugly next to each other.
3. Pass the thread through the first bead, then down through the second.

• 4. Add the next bead.
• 5. Pass the thread back through the previous bead to position the new bead snugly next to it.
• 6. Pass the thread through the most recently added bead.

• 7. Add the fourth bead to your thread.
• 8. Pass the thread back up through the third bead to position the fourth bead snugly next to it.
• 9. Pass the thread back down through the fourth bead.

• 10. Add the next bead and pass the thread back through the fourth bead.
• 11. Pass the thread back up through the last added bead. You can continue adding as many beads as needed.

• 12. Add two beads.

• 13. Pass the needle under the thread connecting the first two beads of the previous row. Then, go up through the second bead added. Be sure to pull the thread taut.
• 14. Add a bead, pass the needle under the thread between the next two beads in the first row, then go up through the new bead and pull the thread tight.
• 15. Add the next bead and repeat the steps from the previous point.

• 16. Add the next bead and repeat the steps from the point 14.

• 17-18. Add two beads, then pass the needle under the thread connecting the first two beads of the previous row. Next, go up through the second bead you added, ensuring to pull the thread taut.

• 19-20-21. Add a bead, pass the needle under the thread between the next two beads in the previous row, then go up through the added bead and pull the thread taut. Repeat the third row as many times as your project requires.

Once you master the basics of brick stitch, learn how to increase brick stitch and decrease brick stitch. You’ll find the separate tutorials on the blog. This will enable you to create amazing projects. You can make earrings, pendants, brooches, and many other beadwork items and decorations.