To read the word chart, start from the bottom left corner and works from bottom to top. The Abstract Spring pattern is designed using software called Bead Tool 4 which offers a free download as well as a paid version that has more features. Using bead design software is the easiest way to design patterns. One of the best features of the software is how easy it is to change the color palette of a design. You can always change the colors you use on any pattern–it’s just that when you use software, it allows you to preview the results before you have stitched it up. Bead Tool 4 comes with the color palettes of Miyuki, Toho and Preciosa beads pre-loaded in the software, so you just need to select the colors to add to the design. You can also pre-load the beads in your inventory into the tool. This feature is useful for you to make sure you design using bead colors that you already own, or to help you substitute colors. All of the bead colors listed for the peyote stitch designs are Delica beads since they provide the evenest results when using peyote stitch. If you don’t mind a more freeform (i.e. slightly uneven) beadwork bracelet, other beads can be used, but do your best to cull the beads to give yourself similar sizes and shapes to work with. Vastly different sized beads will make the band uneven and possibly expose the thread, making it more likely to fray. This is an example of how you can design your own affirmationbracelet using the peyote stitch letter pattern. Since the first row of the Love affirmation pattern uses six columns of two beads each, it is an even count peyote stitch. Even count peyote stitch is always slightly easier than odd count peyote stitch. Note that the difference is very slight and it will only take one project to learn odd count peyote, so never avoid learning the odd count version. It makes your patterns much more fun when you can center designs! Like the other patterns, the Love two-drop peyote stitch pattern is available for download at the link. The word chart works from the bottom left-hand corner up. If you are following the pattern and the word, you may want to trim the pattern from the top of the page and turn it to the side so it sits the way that the word chart is set up.
