Russian Spiral Beaded Rope Necklace Tutorial

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Hey beautiful! In today’s video I will show you how to create the classic Russian Spiral Beaded Rope Necklace. We will use 11/0 seed beads and three different colors of 3mm Czech glass fire polish beads in this example, but feel free to experiment with all different types of bead shapes. Please see below for a list of recommended materials:

Materials List (17-20" Necklace, w/ Extender)

Materials:

✔  3mm Fire Polish Beads – 3 colors, at least 134 of each color 

✔  11/0 Round Seed Beads 

✔  2 – 4.5mm Wire Guards

✔  14ft. – 6lb. Fireline Beading Thread

✔  Beading Needle, Size 10

✔  2 – Jump Rings

✔  2″ – Chain

✔  1 – Lobster Clasp

✔  Scissors

✔  Bead Mat

Russian Spiral Beaded Rope - Steps

Step 1: String (1) FP, (2) SB, (1) FP, (2) SB, (1) FP, (2) SB. Leave a 10″ tail thread that you can use to finish of the end of the bracelet later.

russian spiral beaded rope step 1

Step 2: Sew back through all of the beads to form into a loop. Continue to sew through the next FP and (1) SB.

russian spiral beaded rope step 1

Step 3: Pick up (1) FP, in the color that comes next in the loop of beads, and (2) SB. Sew through the (1) SB that is after the next FP. Repeat. 

Pick up the next (1) FP and (2) SB, then step up by sewing through the (1) SB, FP, and (1) SB, as shown.

russian spiral beaded rope step 3

Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you’ve reached the desired length of your beadwork. 

Tip: pull the thread tight after each addition of beads to keep consistent tension.

russian spiral beaded rope step 4

How to End the Russian Spiral Beaded Rope

There are multiple ways to finish the ends of the Russian Spiral Beaded Rope. In the video, I share how to taper the ends of the beadwork with 11/0 seed beads, and sew in a wire guard, on both sides.

Basically, in this example, I began by sewing two 11/0 seed beads in between one seed bead on each of the three sides. Then that ring of beads is reinforced by sewing through it at least two more times. 

Next, four seed beads are added to the top of the ring by sewing them in via the peyote stitch technique. The four seed beads at the tip provide the foundation for the wire guard. The wire guard is sewn onto the four seed beads, and reinforced several times before knotting off the thread.

russian spiral beaded rope necklace ending

russian spiral beaded rope necklace ending

If you don’t wish to use a wire guard, you can still follow this method. Just add a loop of seed beads to each end instead.

Alternately, you could use a metal cord end finding to cap off each side of the necklace. Insert an eye pin, with a FP bead, inside of the end of the beadwork before closing it up. Then taper the beadwork with seed beads, as described above. Pull the beadwork tight around the tip of the eye pin. Next, Insert the eye pin through the end cap. Then create a loop with the remaining portion of the eye pin. The loop will keep the end cap in place, and provide a place to add jump rings and a clasp.

If you Like this Tutorial...

While you’re here, check out the Russian Spiral Beaded Bracelet with Bugle Beads:

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