How to do tubular herringbone weaving

What is tubular herringbone weaving?

First of all, herringbone bead weaving is a technique for weaving beads at an angle. This creates weaves with a chevron pattern. We already have a datasheet available to explain the simple, flat herringbone technique, as well as a few tutorials:

• Miyuki bead earrings herringbone weave
• Cuff bracelet in herringbone weave with Miyuki Delicas glass beads

Tubular herringbone weave is a tubular adaptation of this weave. It comes in several variants: straight and twisted or spiral. These techniques are no more difficult than the flat version. We've also produced tutorials for each of these versions:

• Miyuki seed beads tubular herringbone weave bracelet with gradient effect
• Twisted herringbone tubular weave bracelet with Miyuki seed beads 15/0

Below are some diagrams to help you understand the technique. The diagrams show a tube of 4 beads, but you can make tubes with more beads. However, you'll always need an even number of beads, i.e. 4, 6, 8, 10, etc.

How do I make tubular herringbone weaving?

Step 1: The first part (steps 1 to 7) consists in creating a base to which the beads will be attached and angled. String 4 beads and work your way through the first two to form a loop.

Step 2: Return to the last two beads.

Step 3: Thread two new beads and pass through the previous two to form a loop.

Step 4: Return to the last two beads.

Step 5: Add another pair of beads, repeating the previous two steps.

Step 6: Attach the first two beads to the last two.

Step 7: The diagram has been rotated 90° clockwise for each subsequent step. Thread the next two beads.

Step 8: String two beads and pass through the red bead shown in the diagram.

Step 9: Return to the top, passing through the next bead.

Step 10: Thread two beads and pass through the next red bead.

Step 11: Go up two beads to start a new round.

Step 12: String two beads and pass through the next bead below. Repeat steps 9 to 12 to continue weaving your tube. For each new turn, you need to go up two beads instead of one.

How to weave a tubular twisted or spiral herringbone?

Creating the base with steps 1 to 7 is the same. Here's what to do next. The spiral appears little by little.

Step 1: The diagram rotates 90° clockwise with each step. Thread 2 beads and pass, not through a single red bead as in the classic tubular version, but through both beads.

Step 2: Return to the top, passing through the bead indicated, not the next two beads. This difference will create the spiral.

Step 3: Thread two new beads and pass through the next two red beads.

Step 4: Work your way up through the next red bead.

Step 5: String two new beads and pass through the next two beads.