Learn how to brick stitch decrease.
A key skill for creating triangle shapes, essential for crafting bead earrings and pendants.
Brick Stitch Decrease – Tutorial for Beginners
First row – a ladder stitch
- Start the first row using the ladder stitch (see how to do it here). I’ll demonstrate with 7 beads, but you can adjust the bead count to fit your design.
The second row – brick stitch decrease
2. Add two beads. Skip the first thread loop between the first two beads of the previous row. Pass the needle through the second loop (between the second and third bead), then back up through the second added bead. Pull the thread taut.
3. Add one bead. Pass the needle through the nearest loop between two beads in the previous row, then back up through the added bead. Pull the thread taut.
4. 5. 6. Pick up one bead and pass the needle through the closest loop between two beads in the row below. Then thread back up through the added bead and tighten.
The third row
7. String two beads. Skip the first thread loop between the first two beads of the previous row, and insert the needle into the second loop (between the second and third bead). Then, bring the needle back up through te second added bead and tighten the thread.
8. 9. 10. Add a bead and pass the needle through the closest loop between two beads in the previous row. Next, ring the needle back through the new bead and pull the thread snug.
The next rows
11. Pick up two beads. Skip the first thread loop between the first two beads in the previous row, and pass the needle through the second and third beads). Then, bring the needle back up through the second bead added and pull the thread snug.
12. Add a bead and insert the needle into the nearest loop between two beads in the row below. Pass the needle back through the added bead and pull the thread taut.
13. Pick up one bead and thread the needle through the closest loop between two beads in the previous row. Then bring the needle back up through the new bead and tighten the thread taut.
14. String two beads. Skip the first thread loop between the first two beads of the previous row, and pass the needle through the second loop (between the second and third beads). Next, bring the needle back up through the second bead added and tighten the thread.
15. Pick up a bead and pass the needle through the nearest loop between two beads in the previous row. Then bring the needle back up through the bead you just added and pull the thread snug.
16. Add two beads. Skip the first thread loop between the first two beads in the previous row, and pass the needle through the second loop (between the second and third beads). Next, bring the needle back up through the second bead you added and pull the thread snug.
How to finish
17. Finish the triangle by adding a single bead at the top.
18. To finish the thread, pass the needle down through all the beads along one side of the triangle, securing it tightly.
If you need a refresher on basic brick stitch or brick stitch increases, check out the related beading tutorials available on my Freebies page.