How to Make a Basic Brick Stitch

A brick stitch is similar to a peyote stitch, but turned sideways. This technique is a bit stiffer than peyote, making it ideal for use in earring designs and small pins. A brick stitch is called such because of the off-set rows made by the beads, resembling a brick wall. The beginning of a brick stitch is made by sewing a series of beads that lay side-by-side, in a technique called the ladder stitch. Layers are added to this base row by sewing through the stitches holding the layer below together. The result is an off-set pattern, or basic brick stitch. First, create a ladder stitch for the base row. Make sure your thread is exiting out of the top of your last bead. If not, simply rotate your pattern so it is.

Pick up two beads and move the needle under the exposed loop between the first and second base row beads, moving from back to front. Remember, you will always string 2 beads at the start of each new row.

Bring the needle up through the second added bead,

and down through the first added bead.

Come back up through the second bead once more.

Pick up one more bead. Go under the next closest exposed loop, moving from back to front.

Go back through the added bead (4b). Pick up one bead and repeat step four until you reach the end of the row.

You may find it easier to constantly turn the pattern so you are always working from right to left. Once you reach the end of a row, go back through the last bead. Make sure your thread is exiting out of the top of your last bead. Pick up 2 beads and then move the needle under the exposed loop between the first and second base row beads, moving from back to front, just as you did in step one. Then repeat step 2, 3 and 4.