Peyote stitch

Peyote stitch is a bead weaving technique where each new bead sits in the gap between two beads from the row before, rather than stacking directly on top of one. The offset pattern locks the beads together into a flexible fabric that can be worked flat, in a tube, or shaped into a bezel around a cabochon.

It comes in a few variants: even-count and odd-count for flat pieces, each with a different way of finishing the edges, and circular or tubular peyote for wrapping around something round like a bead or a ring shank. Most patterns are worked with cylinder beads because their flat sides create a smoother, gap-free surface than rounder seed beads.

It takes a fine beading needle, thin thread, and patience, since losing track of the count partway through a row is easy and can be hard to spot until several rows later. A common mistake is starting with round seed beads instead of cylinder beads, which technically works but leaves visible gaps between beads instead of the tight, even surface peyote is known for.