My Favorite Beading Books

The best place to start! This comprehensive instruction book includes directions & illustrations for learning peyote stitch (flat, tubular, 2-drop, circular, increasing, & decreasing), brick stitch, square stitch, right angle weave, and net weave, and also features loads of information on tools & materials. Plus lots of actual projects to get you started. I love this book! :-)

This is a favorite reference of mine for chain-weaving patterns for daisy-style chains; also includes information on bead loom weaving and bead embroidery.

Another good beginner book with instructions & illustrations for a variety of beadweaving techniques (beadstringing, tubular peyote, flat peyote, brick stitch/commanche weave, loomwork) and beginner projects.

A project book of seven unique amulet purses with graphs & instructions for each, plus an appendix section with basic stitch instructions and tips.

A terrific collection of projects by the proprietress of Bead-Patterns.com. Make earrings, pins, amulets, necklaces & more. Includes patterns using brick or flat peyote stitch, square stitch, net weave, tubular peyote, applique, & chain, plus a basic instruction section in the back of the book.
My favorite is the GORGEOUS peyote butterflies!

23 projects from beginner to advanced, using tubular peyote, brick stitch & bead edging, back stitch, netting, & split loom... to make necklaces, earrings, & amulet bags, many involving beadwork around cabs.

This book does not contain individual projects. It is more of a how-to guide, with a brief historical background, excellent coverage of the techniques of loomwork, and tips for designing, blending colors, embellishing, and more. The photos of Don's pieces as well as the gallery of contemporary loomwork are a wealth of inspirational eye candy!

My sourcebook for spiral stitches! Directions & illustrations for tons of basic beaded cords, twist necklaces, and spiral necklaces. I haven't checked to see if these are the same as the so-called "Dutch Spiral" but it looks identical to me. She also includes a necklace & bracelet that looks a LOT like the infamous "Hugs & Kisses" or "Cris-Cross" bracelet. :-)

A project book of ten amulet bags, simple & easy to stitch up. Includes instructions for netting & peyote stitch, plus ideas for fringes & straps.

A great little book full of unique earring designs for brick stitch. Includes basic diamond shaped earrings as well as unique sculptured earrings, "vertical" style earrings, and Christmas earrings, each with all the instructions & illustrations needed.

A book of 10 amulet bag designs, plus a few earring designs. Includes instructions for horizontal tubular brick stitch (although you can do the amulet bags in peyote stitch by turning the pattern sideways), plus instructions for twisted fringe, stick/branched fringe, herringbone (ndebele) stitch, right angle weave, and crocheted cord.

A book of 17 slightly more intricate amulet bag designs, and instructions for horizontal tubular brick stitch, flat vertical brick stitch, square stitch, twisted fringe, stick/branched fringe, peyote strap, spiral rope strap, & 3-bead lace trim.

Excellent book on beading onto a leather backing around gemstone cabochons, includes a ton of projects for earrings, barrettes, necklaces, hat bands, pins, watch bands, peyote stitch pendants & bottles, and more. Great illustrations & photos for each step.

Various strung & woven bead projects, with instructions at the end of the book for bead embroidery (sewing beads onto a surface or backing), beading on needlepoint canvas, stitching needlepoint, "squared needleweaving" (offloom), peyote stitch, brick stitch, and tips on finishing, backing, working with leather cord, etc. Good variety of projects, & the needlepoint or "squared needleweaving" patterns could also be worked in squarestitch or on a loom.

Great book of projects. Half of the projects are done with "bead needleweaving", an offloom stitch; these could also be worked in square stitch or on a loom. The other half of the projects are done with "bead card stitching," basically bead embroidery onto a paper or cardboard card which you back with fabric after completing the beadwork. Fully illustrated, with complete instructions.

This book focuses on beading on fabric for purses, scarves, clothes, etc. Also features a section of "bead needleweaving" patterns which can also be worked in square stitch or on a loom.

Gorgeous book of inspirational eye candy, with a section of very basic stitch instructions in the back. Great to sit & drool over!

Wonderful new technique of lacy beadwork that duplicates tatting designs with beads. Includes excellent diagrams, patterns & instructions to complete two bracelets, a necklace, a dreamcatcher, and a gorgeous lacy collar.

A new technique for fiber jewelry which incorporates beads into woven jewelry, by weaving colorful fibers on a simple "loom" made of a board and some pins. Features a gorgeous gallery of work to inspire you, plus 19 actual projects to get you started.

A wonderful reference for getting started making your own glass beads using colorful rods of glass and a torch. Tons of info on basic tools & supplies, making a basic bead, variations and advanced techniques. Gorgeous color photos!