How to Make a Ladder Stitch

A ladder stitch is a common pattern used to create the first row of beads in other techniques like a brick stitch or herringbone stitch. Once you create a ladder, you can then move on to other stitches.

Cut your thread and attach it to one beading needle. Add two seed beads onto the needle and leave a tail approximately 6 inches long.

Bring the needle back through both beads,

aligning the holes to sit vertically so the beads are side by side. The needle should be coming out of the second bead.

Pick up a third bead. Bring the needle back through the second bead, from the top hole to the bottom hole.

With the thread exiting the second bead, go back through the third bead, from the bottom hole to the top hole.

Pick up a fourth bead with the needle. Bring the needle back through the third bead, from the bottom hole to the top hole.

Then bring the needle through the fourth bead, from the top hole to the bottom hole.

Pick up a fifth bead, bring the needle back through the fourth bead, from the top hole to the bottom hole.

Continue this process of performing a figure-eight pattern until you reach your desired length.