In the June 2011 issue of Bead&Button magazine, I did a Stitch Workshop (p. 22) that included how to make a butterfly using increasing and decreasing rows of odd- and even-count peyote stitch. After making the butterfly, you may want to make your own shaped pattern, but where do you begin? Follow these steps to get started:
• Practice the basics: The best way to get going is by graphing a basic shape. Once you get the hang of graphing simple shapes, more complicated designs or even photos can be used.
• Choose your beads: Using larger seed beads like 8/0 or 10/0 cylinder beads in a single color will be the easiest way to get the hang of making shapes. Once you feel comfortable with a single color, try incorporating stripes or other repeating patterns. Once you have that down pat, more intricate color schemes can be incorporated as well as smaller beads if you wish.
• Graph your design: To begin graphing your own design, print out our free graph paper. For an example, we'll make a simple diamond shape. The easiest way to graph a shape is to start with the longest row and decrease to the sides. Start graphing the beads for the first two rows of the diamond using the same color. They are numbered 1/2 in the illustration below. Then graph the following rows, using one color for each row and numbering each row. Numbering each row is
especially helpful for increase rows since the beads added in the
increase stitch occupy more than one row.
Row 3: Graph the third row (odd-count peyote stitch) in the next color. 
Row 4: Graph the first decrease row in the next color.
Rows 5–9: Graph the remaining decrease rows on one side of the diamond shape, each in a different color.
Rows 10–15: Graph the remaining decrease rows on the other side of the first two rows, each in a different color.
• Stitch the diamond shape: On 18-in. (46 cm) of thread, center the beads for the first two rows. Work a row of odd-count peyote. Work rows 4–9 in decrease peyote by working an even-count decrease or a mid-row decrease at both ends of each row. If you're unfamiliar with these terms, make sure to see my Stitch Workshop in the June issue, and check out my video
about increasing and decreasing along the edges of a peyote strip. Once you've finished the first half of the diamond, use the tail to stitch rows 10–15 to complete the second half.
When you start graphing more complicated shapes, count the beads picked up for increase stitches as part of the row just completed. This will make it easier when you are reading a graph to identify the beads to pick up in each row, and how many beads to pick up per stitch. Below I made an "E" as part of a bracelet I'm making with my sons' names.
Rows 1–5: Work in odd-count peyote stitch.
Row 6: Work one stitch.
Row 7–11: Work a decrease row, then four rows of odd-count peyote stitch.
Row 12: Work an increase row. Note that all the beads added in the increase stitch (seven beads) are considered row 12.
Rows 13–15: Work three rows of odd-count peyote.
Row 16: Work one stitch.
Rows 17–21: Work a decrease row, then work four rows of odd-count peyote.
Row 22: Work an increase row. Note that all the beads added in the increase stitch (seven beads) are considered row 22.
Rows 23–25: Work three rows of odd-count peyote stitch.
Some letters of the alphabet are more tricky than this, but you can also make sections
of your pattern and then stitch them together. For instance, in the
pattern above, you could stitch three odd-count strips following rows 1–5, then attach the strips with short rows as in rows 6–10.
Now try graphing your own design, and feel free to contact me with any questions!