Peyote Stitch

Peyote Stitch Origins

It is believed that peyote stitch's originated in Native American roots where the peyote cactus is eaten ceremonially as a sacrament in the Native American Church. During this ceremony a form of peyote stitch are used to embellish fans, rattles, and other items used in the ceremony and as such the name was taken from there. Native Americans themselves however may prefer to term this stitch gourd stitch but this would apply more particularly to tubular peyote.

Peyote stitch (also known as Gourd stitch) is the name of an off-loom bead weaving technique which is an ancient stitch, one of the most popular off-loom stitch among contemporary beaders. It is easy to bead, yet amazingly versatile. Enabling beaders to create beaded fabric and even scenery beaded art work or jewelry with many variations, such as;

Even Count Flat Peyote Stitch 

Even count peyote means starting off a beading base row with even numbers of beads e.g. 8 or 20, it is more straight forward than odd count, due to the logistics with turning around at the end of the row.
Even count flat Peyote Stitch Instruction

Odd Count Flat Peyote Stitch

Odd count peyote means starting off a beading base row with odd numbers of beads e.g. 9 or 17. The difference between Odd Count and Even Count Flat Peyote is not the number of completed rows in the pattern. The difference is designated by the Number of Beads within each of the individual Rows. Or in another words it is the number of beads (odd number e.g.9, 11, 13) you start your piece with.
Odd count flat Peyote Stitch Instruction

Tubular Peyote Stitch

Tubular peyote stitch is done in rounds and creates a cylindrical shape and is one of the most popular for creating Amulet Bags.
There's basically two types of tubular peyote stitch, the even count and the odd count (adopting the same principles as the flat peyote).
Even count Tubular Peyote Stitch Instruction
Odd count Tubular Peyote Stitch Instruction

Two Drop Peyote

It's peyote stitch worked with two beads at a time in each stitch. Many beaders actually incorporate both one bead and two bead or two drop peyote in one project and calls it free form peyote.
Two Drop Peyote Stitch Instruction

Circular Flat Peyote

Circular flat peyote usually uses an even number of beads in the first row, alternating single and double bead rows cause the flat circular orientation to develop. Most often used to wrap round or uneven 3-D objects like rocks or used to make beaded boxes and containers.
Circular Flat Peyote Instruction

Increasing and Decreasing Peyote Stitch

The Increasing and Decreasing of peyote stitch is consider an add on knowledge for beaders who wants to make their pieces in other shapes other than rectangular, square or round.
Increasing Peyote Stitch Instructions
Decreasing Peyote Stitch Instructions

Free Form Peyote

Combining all the above types of peyote beading stitches, you can create your ideal free form peyote art work according to the design you have in mind.