Top Beading Favorites from 2022

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As you look through the pieces you made this past year, what stands out to you most? Did you try any new techniques? Or did you find new favorite seed beads or shaped beads? How about a new combination of colors that you love? Perhaps you stuck with your go-to techniques and colors. Now is the time that I reflect on these past projects and think of what I want to do for next year’s. We found our top 22 best-selling Interweave beading patterns across Interweave for the year of 2022 and condensed them into our favorite five.

Above: Hawaiian Dream Song Necklace by Wendy Ellsworth

We hope you love these top choices as much as we do and add them to your project list!

Queen of Atlantica Necklace

Combine various types of beads to make the Queen of Atlantica Necklace by Melissa Grakowsky Shippee. It’s not a surprise that this project was in the top 22 patterns this year. The fun combination of beads gives this piece a unique look, and the threads of crystals incorporated in the beaded rope adds a polished look. Swarovski crystals catch the eye without being too flashy. This necklace is made by using tubular peyote stitch, tubular herringbone stitch, circular netting, and ladder stitch. The matching earrings are a separate pattern but will make a great set if you choose to make them as well!

Ouroboros Dragon Cuff

There are many unique beading patterns on the top 22 of 2022 list, however, there is a bracelet that I believe takes the cake. The Ouroboros Dragon Cuff, designed by Michelle Leonardo, features a dragon eating its own tail. This design has long been seen as a symbol for eternity. Crystal bicones, daggers, and seed beads combined with several stitch techniques, make up this textured reptile. Michelle explains that while following the instructions will help you in creating the 3-D design, be prepared to make small adjustments to adapt to your own work. “Don’t be afraid to jump into freeform peyote stitch;” do what works best for you when it comes to the dragon’s head.

Daisy Duos Bracelet

It is no surprise that there are several floral projects on the top 22 list. The Daisy Duos Bracelet by Laurie Long Marcum is a favorite of mine on the list. This is a great bracelet to start on if you are a beginner or are looking for a quick-to-complete project. The project puts a bit of a twist on the classic daisy chain pattern. Use circular and flat peyote stitch variations, with SuperDuos and other beads to create the unique daisy patterning. The bracelet is secured with magnetic clasps and can also be made into a cute pair of earrings.

Hawaiian Dream Song Necklace

Brighten up your collection of beaded necklaces with Wendy Ellsworth’s Hawaiian Dream Song Necklace. This project’s focal point can easily be converted into a pair of earrings as well to make a matching set. This project was inspired by the beauty of Hawaii and its natural environment. Bright colors combine with one another in various sizes and shapes to make up the piece. The project involves several stitch techniques to complete, but it is well worth the work!

Boho Basket Earrings

You can never go wrong with beading a pair of earrings. They’re often smaller projects which makes them a great one to start early in the new year. The Boho Basket Earrings, designed by Ciny Kinerson, are a great project to start if you’re looking for a bit of a challenge. These earrings are created with cubic right-angle weave, herringbone stitch, and peyote stitch techniques. The intricate design is achieved by combining these techniques and a variety of hues of size 11/0 seed beads. Having stiff beadwork is important to the structure of this project, and Ciny recommends repeated your thread paths multiple times, or even use a 10 lb FireLine braided beading thread. Clear nail polish also keeps the project’s structure.

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Try out a something new this year from our Top 22 of 2022 Interweave beading patterns. There are many amazing projects to choose from, and the above are only a few of our own favorites off the list. Now is the perfect time to try out a project you’ve been eyeing, or even a project that has a technique you’ve been wanting to put into action.

We hope you enjoy these projects as much as we do and cannot wait to see what’s on the list for next year.

Happy Beading!

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Favorite Interweave Beading Patterns of 2022