Definition:

The peyote bead weaving stitch is one of many stitches that can be done without a loom. Often, these are referred to as "off loom" stitches. Though really any size seed bead or even some other types of beads such as crystal beads and gemstone beads may be woven together using the peyote stitch, the most popular beads to use for this are seed beads. A type of seed bead called Delicas work particularly well with peyote because these beads are tube shaped and very uniformly shaped.


As a result, they tend to stack neatly together like little bricks as you weave them.

One popular feature of peyote stitch is that you are able to create patterns with this stitch. You can either use graph paper to mark out a pattern first, or there are also a number of computer programs available on the market allowing you to input an image, and then it will turn that into a graph usable for peyote stitch.

Peyote can be done flat (starting with an odd or even count of beads) or tubular as well, allowing for a spiral of beads to be formed. For an example of tubular peyote, see the Twisted Bead Necklace project. An excellent way to learn how to do the peyote bead stitch is to make beads from beads. Here is a project called Making a Beaded Bead that will teach you how to do peyote, and then you can use the beads you have made to make other jewelry pieces such as a Beaded Bead Bracelet.