How to Make a Russian Spiral

Learn how to make a Russian spiral with this beading technique tutorial!

Add to your bead stitching repertoire with the gorgeous Russian Spiral, a bead weaving technique that's sure to be a showstopper whenever it's used. Bead weaving patterns don't come much prettier than this one, which uses a tubular structure to bring the seed beads into a serpentine design. This jewelry project is a reader favorite, and it's not surprising why! If you need an accessory for a formal event that won't hurt your bank account, this beaded bracelet pattern is the way to go. Anyone wanting to expand their inventory of bead stitching patterns will love the sinuous elegance of this technique. By mixing and matching colors, you'll be able to use this beaded bracelet pattern for any project you please.

What is Russian Spiral rope stitch?
This is beading technique is a variation of tubular netting (and therefore peyote stitch). This type of stitch creates a soft, slightly elastic, beaded rope style. The size and color of beads can be changed (at least two different colors and sizes of beads) to make many different versions of necklaces and bracelets.

Click Here for DIY Jewelry Project

Project TypeLearn a Technique

Bead TypeSeed

Time to CompleteIn an evening

Bead Technique UsedStitched

Bead Project TypeOther

Intermediate

PLUS! More Russian Beading Patterns

From the stunning Russian Spiral to the intricate St. Petersburg Chain, ambitious beaders will love these Eastern European bead weaving techniques.

DID YOU KNOW? History of Off-Loom Bead Weaving

Embellishing clothing has been in fashion long before the invention of the bead. Natural products such as shells, nuts, feathers, teeth, and claws were used to adorn clothes and DIY jewelry by Native Americans before they were introduced to the man-made bead by European traders. The pony bead and the seed bead were the most popular trading goods with Native Americans. With the introduction of the small, mutli-colored seed beads came the invention of loom and off-loom bead weaving projects. Native American women created different patterns and designs by weaving the colored beads together into handmade jewelry and ornamentation for clothing.

This way of using beads was totally new. Europeans had mostly been stringing beads together for necklaces or sewing them directly to clothing. Native Americans were the first to weave them into larger artistic pieces. Beading has now become a major symbol of Native American heritage. The Native American style beadwork has also made its way into the fashion industry, appearing on bags, tops, and jewelry.

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Russian Spiral Earrings

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Hippie Chick

Mar 03, 2017

This Russian spiral rope is beautiful. The colors chosen look so lovely together. I have never weaved a Russian spiral rope before and have seen very few pieces made with this technique. I dont know if I could choose a color combination of seed beads that are as lovely as yours. This looks like a difficult technique to master, but the results are awesome.

LynM

Dec 03, 2016

For me the Russian Spiral is one of the easier spiral patterns, and yet the results can be extremely satisfying. I find it looks great using something bright and sparkly for one of the size 11.0 seed beads. In any spiral beading pattern, its easy to get lost, so please read the instructions carefully and keep them close at hand in order to check back if you need to. For a bangle, make the chain long enough to roll over the broadest part of your hand. A necklace will need to fit over your head.

Cheryl Y

Aug 13, 2016

Wow I love this How to Make a Russian Spiral. I am new to beading and have a lot of different beads and had no idea what to do with them other then crochet with them. After seeing this, I have a new project to do! I like learning new ways to do things and this is lovely! The step by step directions are so easy to read and understand. I can't wait to give this a try. Who knew you could make a spiral necklace tube out of beads with out using something in the center? I love this and have to thank you so much for this free How to!

zukky15 7677047

Jul 18, 2016

Tried this craft? What did you think?