Stringing Error or Crocheting Error?

See the pattern on the left?  It doesn't look like what I designed.  It should look like the rope on the right. So, I take it out.  Crochet again and get the same problem in another part of the pattern.  It's the twist factor that seems to crop up when crocheting with beads larger than 11/0. How do you fix it?  Try the following before you rip any work out.  It might just need a push/pull/squish to put it all right.

click to enlarge and save the photo if you want a copy

How many beads do I need? - Bead Crochet

Click here for Beads Needed Chart (PDF) - right link 7/3/2012 - sorry

I've had a few questions on "how many beads do I need to crochet that pattern in 8's, 11's, 15's, etc."  If you have an Android phone or tablet, you can download an app that will figure all of this for you. Here's some information on it... Bead Crochet Designer's Bead Needs.  I helped develop it, so I know it works quite well.

If you prefer to use pencil & paper to figure the beads needed, click on the link under the photo.  The chart is limited to only 6-around ropes, but covers 5 different bead sizes.  If you're out 'n about, buy beads, want to start stringing and crocheting right away, this is a quick and dirty calculation; length of desired rope (inches) X number-around.  OK, you want a 9" bracelet, in 8-around... simply multiply 9 x 8 for 72" of strung beads (estimated).

The Bead Crochet Ropes book does have a whole page of this kind of information and covers other number-arounds.  You can find the eBook edition over at www.bead-patterns.com .

Bead Crochet Theorem

A pattern with an odd number of beads in the repeat, crocheted in even-around, will spiral in the opposite direction from a pattern with an even number of beads in a repeat. The same remains true when crocheting in odd-around.

It seems like I have known about this even/odd theorem in bead crochet forever. However, I've had some questions about patterns recently that led me to think that maybe everyone doesn't know this happens.

In the sample above, the right side of the pattern actually has a wider color band "A", but visually you don't seem to notice it. It's the reversing direction of the lighter color band "B" that you notice. It's an easy and fun way to introduce zig-zags into a spiral rope.

Bead Crochet Tip - tight tension

I've been hearing about bead crochet ropes that are so stiff as to stand upright all on their lonesome. The first thing to try is to go up a hook size or two.

If going up a hook doesn't do it for you, try training your hands to carry your loop a bit further up the hook shank. This will make larger loops/stitches and a more supple rope. You can see where my loops generally are in the first photo.

There are times when you might want a very tight rope. A bangle bracelet is one instance where you want it to hold the round shape. To achieve that, you would want to crochet as tight as you can. Using cylinder beads like a Delica, will also contribute to the overall compactness of the round shape.

Bead Crochet Sampler Ropes

Many bead crocheters have mentioned that they have problems starting a slip-stitch rope. There are days that I have that problem myself.

One way I get around the

starting problem when I'm trying out new patterns is to use a sampler rope. I have several in different number-around and bead sizes. I simply string about 12" of a new pattern, add the thread into an existing sampler rope and crochet the test pattern.

Some of my sampler ropes end up being unusual enough to turn into a lariat or necklace. They are truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

See my next post for the story of the grass snake pattern evolution - and it does not even end up being a snake pattern!