Geometric Beadwork: Warped Beaded Triangle

“Warped Beaded Triangle” necklace came about as a result of me playing around with a basic shape, warping it .. and letting the resultant shape speak to and surprise you. I am still playing around and getting familiar with basic geometric shapes. In “Geometric Shapes: Tools for Beading“, I yakked about how important I think learning groundwork rules are in being able to achieve flow and freedom in the long run.

“Warped Beaded Triangle” necklace (CH0359)

The “logic” behind this is:

• start off with a flat beaded triangle
• create vertical sides down (to create a 3D effect)
• carry on with making/increasing shape of triangle as well as ..
• warping the (Peyote stitch) triangle by having increases along its side. (Herringbone stitch will help create the increase).

I worked multiple attempts.  So in the following photos, there are a mixture from these various attempts.  But if you can ignore that, I think I can explain some of the basic construction of how to warp this beaded triangle.

The photo below shows the front and back of the beaded warped triangle. (As always, click on images to get larger photos with more details.) We start by making the center (purple) triangle. This will be just a standard (Peyote stitch) triangle shape. (see: How to Peyote Stitch a Triangle shape).

So we start with 3 beads, threaded in a circle. (Here I am using Swarovski Crystal Helix Bead, 3mm, Purple Velvet).

And carry on, as you would normally, to create the beaded triangle shape.

Once you have the size (for the center, smaller triangle) you want, you will work a Point Round.

Below I am showing 2 variations of the Point Round.  In either case, I changed the bead colour so the demarcation is clearer.

I will now use “Variation 2” to carry on with our explanation.  We now want to create the “vertical sides” to the beaded triangle.  And by so doing, create the start of the 3D center.  To create the “vertical sides”, we just need to do straight Peyote stitch (with no increase) till we create a bit of a vertical wall.

The “vertical sides” do not have to be very high.  About 2 peyote rows will do.  Then just carry on with the standard way of creating the beaded triangle shape: peyote stitches along sides and herringbone stitch in corners.

Once we have the outer & larger beaded triangle of a sufficient size, we can start warping the triangle.  Just insert a Herringbone (double bead) stitch at the points where you want the increases.

And that is basically how to create a warped beaded triangle (with increases).  The rest are embellishments, however you would like them. And you shape your creation more or less according to how the warping suggests and whatever looks pleasing to your eye. There are endless possibilities.

Finished: “Warped Beaded Triangle” Necklace

The chain for the piece is a handmade, soft and flexible (and oh so comfy) crochet rope, made in matching colours. A beaded crochet rope.

For the crochet rope, I used the cheaper seed beads from China.  For very good reasons.

• Usually, there is nothing wrong with the colour (fastness) of the seed beads from China.  Only that they are not as regular as the Japanese or Czech seed beads (which makes these more expensive). But apart from that, quality wise, the Chinese seed beads are as good. Even their holes are rounded and smooth which prevents damage to threads.
• For crochet ropes, I do like a bit of irregularity and texture for the ropes.  It makes them feel softer and more organic.  The slight irregularity of the Chinese seed beads make them perfect for this application.

Main Materials:

• Swarovski Crystal Helix Bead, 3mm, Purple Velvet
• 24 gauge, 14K gold filled wire (for wire wrapping)
• 14K Vermeil jump rings
• 11/0 seed beads
• faceted quartz: tear drop (fuschia)
• glass seed beads

Status: TJL e