Increasing & Decreasing

This technique allows you to increase or decrease the number of beads in each row, while keeping the weft threads hidden.

Increasing

1 Bring the threaded needle UNDER the warp threads. Pick up the number of beads needed for the increase. For example, if you plan to increase the row by 1 bead at each end, pick up 1 bead. Press the increase bead(s) against the underside of the warp threads, positioning it between the threads, and bring the needle out as shown.

2 Pass the needle through the increase bead(s), eye first. Make sure to pass the needle OVER the warp threads.

3 Insert the needle under the warp threads, pick up the remaining beads needed to complete the row, and position them between the warp threads.

4 Working in the opposite direction, pass the needle, eye first, through all the beads in the row, including the increase bead(s). Repeat these steps as necessary for your project, following the Bead Placement Chart.

 

Decreasing

1 After completing the row before the decrease, catch the warp thread at the left edge with the needle.

2 Pass the needle through the last bead in the row before the decrease, eye first.

3 Bring the needle underneath the warp threads, and pass it through the beads of the decrease row. Press the beads up between the warp threads.

4 Pass the needle back through the beads of the decrease row, eye first. Repeat these steps as necessary for your project, following the Bead Placement Chart.

Hiding Warp & Weft Threads

Projects that have a continuous thread for the warp and increases or decreases at both ends can be finished almost the same way as described for Method B on page 8. For these projects, the warp threads cannot be pulled down through the piece as described in Step 1 of Method B. Instead, the loops formed by the warp threads must be trimmed at both ends of the project. Then, the individual warp threads can be hidden in the design following Steps 2–4 of Method B. Hide the weft threads following Figure 4 of Method A.