How many seed beads will I need for a tubular herringbone or peyote rope?

[QA:Q] Dear Anna, How can you calculate the number of beads you will need in a tubular herringbone stitch (straight or twisted) or tubular peyote stitch rope? I am asking because sometimes you find great mixes of beads with the mention of "make sure to buy enough for your project" because of dye lot or because the mix may be retired. I tried to make a necklace in twisted herringbone stitch, and I had to convert it into a bracelet due to the lack of beads. How can I avoid this in the future? – Guylaine

[QA:A] That is a really good question, but kind of tricky to answer. It really depends on how many beads are in each round, and the size of beads you are using.

You can stitch up a sample tube that is 1 in. (2.5 cm) long, then count the number of beads in each round and the number of rounds in the sample. Multiply those numbers and you will get the number of beads in 1 inch. Then decide how many inches your necklace will be, and multiply that by the number of beads in 1 inch. This will give you the approximate number of beads you'll need. You can also weigh the sample, and multiply the weight by the number of inches you'd like the finished necklace to be. This will give you the approximate weight of beads you'll need to buy. The thread in the sample will add a bit of weight, but it will be better to have leftover beads than not enough beads.
[caption image="http://www.beadandbutton.com/~/media/import/images/4/9/a/bbpdf091066.jpg?w=200" targeturl="http://www.beadandbutton.com/~/media/import/images/4/9/a/bbpdf091066.jpg"] Fine woven rings, designed by Smadar Grossman, appears in the October issue [/caption]

Now if you do end up making a tube that is shorter than you had hoped, you could change up your design by adding a coordinating color and work the remaining rounds in that color, or split up the coordinating beads and add them to each end of the tube, highlighting your special beads. 

[Anna]

Comments

HelenK wrote re: How many seed beads will I need for a tubular herringbone or peyote rope? on Thu, Oct 8 2009 8:42 AM When I make a rope or any woven design I first weigh the beads, in grams, before putting them onto my beading mat.  Record the actual bead number and color name for each bead used, and take out say for instance 5 grams of each.  When I need more beads I then add the next weighed amount to my list.  When I am finished making my jewellery piece I deduct the beads left on the mat.  This way the next time I make another one I have an exact copy of what I used.  You can purchase a weigh scale for jewellery at most fine beading stores.

geniegal wrote re: How many seed beads will I need for a tubular herringbone or peyote rope? on Mon, Oct 19 2009 2:49 PM I have just bought a little scale and find in invaluable.  I do exactly what you have said Helen.  I just finished making a beautiful B&B christmas ball and because it just said "a hank" of seed beads I was not sure how much to use.  Just as well I had plenty because it took almost 35 grams to make it.  Looks stunning though.