Russian-inspired peyote leaf tutorial

This tutorial is based on my diagonal peyote tutorial and produces a leaf that looks somewhat like Russian beaded leaves; however, true Russian leaves are made using St. Petersburg stitch. And these leaves are closed, rather than open in the center. Each leaf is almost an inch long and .5 inch wide.

If you make something using this tutorial, leave a comment. I would love to see it!

I used these leaves in this lariat.

Tools and supplies

• Size 11 Delicas
• Japanese size 15 seed beads
• Thread: Nymo or Fireline will work. Use a weight appropriate for the size beads you choose.
• Needle and scissors

Step 1

String six Delicas, one size 15 seed bead, and one Delica on the middle of a one yard length of thread. Go back through the fourth bead from the end.

To adjust the width of the band, string more or fewer main beads in this step.

Step 2

Add two peyote stitches using Delicas, coming out at the first bead you added in step 1.

Step 3

Add two peyote stitches using the Delicas, this time going opposite of the direction that you did in step 2.

Step 4

Pick up one size 15 seed bead and one Delica and go through the second peyote stitch added in step 3.

Optional: You can add fringe instead of the accent bead in this step.

Step 5

Add one peyote stitch using a Delica.

Pick up three Delicas and go back through the first bead, forming a triangle.

Step 6

Add one peyote stitch using a Delica.

Repeat steps 4 through 6 three times, so you have four size 15 seed beads on the outer edge of the leaf.

Step 7

Pick up one size 15 seed bead and one Delica and go through the second peyote stitch added in step 3.

Add one peyote stitch using a Delica.

Step 8 (make the other side of the leaf)

Turn the leaf around, thread your needle on the long tail, and start with step 3. Work this side of the leaf the same as the first side.

Step 9

Pick up three Delicas, pull the thread so the V is closed, and weave through the beads as shown in the illustration on the left.

Note: These beads are not shown in the next illustration and the V is shown open.

Step 10

Pick up one Delica and go through the bead shown in the illustration on the left.

Pick up one Delica, skip a row, and go through the first bead in the next row, as shown on the left. Repeat until you get to the inside point of the leaf.

Weave the thread through the peyote stitching, as shown in the diagram on the left.

Step 11

Close the inside of the leaf by peyote stitching between the end of each row on the left with the new beads on the right (shown in dark blue), which were added in step 10.

Finish by weaving both thread tails into the peyote stitching.