Free Bead Loom Pattern: Beading Q And A (9/25/2011)

BeadGal answers:

There are countless books available. In the interest of saving money, I’d start with a search at the local library.

You might also check the gallery or pattern galleries at the following sites:
http://www.firemountaingems.com/

http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb/default.aspx

I’d also suggest Bead and Button magazine, they frequently have loom patterns amongst their pages. Many other bead publications will also have patterns published.

Beading has become so popular, the options are really astounding. A search could render a plethora of options. It’s also great fun to design your own. You can do this with either a beading program for your computer or just manually with graph paper.

Needlepoint patterns also work, as needlepoint is worked in full stitches and therefore translates well to beads. I have purchased countless needlepoint books for this very reason. You can also use some cross stitch patterns, provided they have no backstitching or blending. The newer, computer generated, patterns are best in this regard. For this you might check Ebay.

Happy beading!

BeadGal answers:

Cross stitch software produced patterns usually translate over pretty accurately for the bead loom- I’ve beaded a few pieces using cross stitch patterns!

I did see a free program for bead loom drafting a while back but the software is no longer available and I have deleted it from my computer because I didn’t like it- what I do when drafting a loom pattern on the computer is to copy paste a loom work graph pattern (just the grid- you can download these from quite a few sites!) into paint and then just ‘fill’ the boxes with colour. It’s time consuming but I really prefer to draft my patterns onto hard copy first and them copy them to the computer when I want to keep or share one.

BeadGal answers:

The triquetra (charmed symbol) was actually easy to find, I was rather surprised as I had always done that as peyote stitch:

http://kyal.tripod.com/patterns/protection.gif

The pentacle was HARD to find, I eventually hit the jackpot with embroidery patterns, this is the ONLY one I could find that would go on the loom.

Http://www.associatedcontent.com/slideshow/46973/plastic_canvas_pentacle_pentagram_amulet.html?cat=24

Again this is a symbol I usually do in peyote stitch.

BeadGal answers:

What I do is once I figure out how long each thread needs to be (for example, 22 inches), I just measure once and then fold at the 22″ mark. I keep on doing that until I have enough threads. Then I cut the thread and tie a knot at one end and cut the ends on the other end. When I put the threads on the loom, I put the knot in the notch at the top end, bring the other end of the threads over the loom so they’re tight, and I wrap it around the other notch so it won’t move. Then I turn the knobs on the sides until the threads are nice and tight.

BeadGal answers:

Hope this is what your looking for:

Http://hubpages.com/hub/Free-Patterns-For-Loom-Beading