Classic contours crossweave necklace and earrings

Intricate rings of cubic crossweave technique serve as bezels, a toggle clasp, and a curvy focal bar from which to suspend a pendant. Create a matching pair of earrings for an ensemble that is sure to please.

SUPPLIES

necklace 17 in. (43 cm)

• 6 14 mm rivolis (Swarovski, purple haze)
• 20 8 mm pearls (Swarovski, cream)
• 6 6 mm pearls (Swarovski, cream)
• 8 4 mm pearls (Swarovski, cream)
• 10 3 mm pearls (Swarovski, cream)
• 2 4 mm bicone crystals (Swarovski, jet)
• 536 2 mm round crystals (Swarovski, jet)
• 7–8 g 15/0 seed beads, color A (Toho 221, bronze)
• 2–3 g 15/0 Charlottes, color C (Czech, black)
• 2–3 g 13/0 Charlottes, color B (Czech, cream)
• Fireline 4 or 6 lb. test
• beading needles, #12

pair of earrings 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)

• 2 8 mm pearls (Swarovski, cream)
• 2 4 mm pearls (Swarovski, cream)
• 2 3 mm pearls (Swarovski, cream)
• 2 4 mm bicone crystals (Swarovski, jet)
• 60 2 mm round crystals (Swarovski, jet)
• 1–2 g 15/0 seed beads, color A (Toho 221, bronze)
• 1–2 g 15/0 Charlottes, color C (Czech, black)
• 1–2 g 13/0 Charlottes, color B (Czech, cream)
• 2 3 mm soldered jump rings (optional)
• pair of earring findings
• Fireline 4 or 6 lb. test
• beading needles, #12
• 2 pairs of pliers (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Thread a needle on each end of 2 1/2 yd. (2.3 m) of Fireline, and center three color A 15/0 seed beads. With one needle, pick up an A, and cross the other needle through it. 

2. With each needle, pick up an A. With one needle, pick up an A, and cross the other needle through it. Repeat this stitch once (FIGURE 1).

3. With each needle, pick up an A. Cross both needles through the end A in the first stitch (FIGURE 2).

4. With one needle, sew through a top A on the adjacent side (FIGURE 3, a-b). Sew through the ring of four As on this side (b-c). Repeat with the other needle on the opposite side.

5. Cross both needles through a bottom A on the adjacent side (FIGURE 4). This completes the first cubic crossweave unit and positions the thread to build subsequent units. There are six sides per unit, which all look the same. The A your threads exit after completing each unit determines the direction of the new unit.

6. Continue working in cubic crossweave technique to build a subsequent unit off of a previous unit: With each needle, pick up an A. With one needle, pick up an A, and cross the other needle through it. Repeat this stitch once (FIGURE 5). With each needle, pick up an A. Cross both needles through the top A in the previous unit opposite the bottom A your thread exited at the start of this step (FIGURE 6). Repeat steps 4 and 5.

7. Repeat step 6 to make a total of 21 cubic crossweave units.

8. Join the end units: With each needle, pick up an A. Cross both needles through the corresponding A in the first unit, and sew through the adjacent As (FIGURE 7). Cross both needles through the next A. With each needle, pick up an A. Cross both needles through the corresponding A in the last unit. With each needle, sew through the side As to complete the join. 

9. With one needle, exit an A alongthe inner edge of one side of the bezel. This will become the back of the bezel. Pick up a color B 13/0 Charlotte, and sew through the next A along the inner edge. Repeat this stitch around the ring, and step up through the first B picked up in this round. 

10. Work a round of tubular peyote stitch off the previous round using color C 15/0 Charlottes. Sew through the beadwork to exit an A along the outer edge of the same side of the bezel.

11. Place a 14 mm rivoli into the ring with the back of the rivoli facing the rounds of beads just added. Gently push the rivoli into the bezel, allowing the front side of the bezel to surround the rivoli (FIGURE A). 

12. Using the other needle, sew through the beadwork to exit an A along the inner edge of the front side of the bezel. Work a round as in step 9, and then sew through the beadwork to exit an A along the outer edge of the front of the bezel.

13. Work as in step 9 to embellish the outer edge using 2 mm round crystals. Using either thread, add 2 mms to the other outer edge. Retrace the thread path through the outer edges, but do not end the threads. You will use them to join the components later.

14. Make a total of six bezeled rivolis.

1. Work as in steps 1–6 of “Bezeled rivolis,” making a total of 14 cubic crossweave units.

2. Join the end units as in step 8 of “Bezeled rivolis.”

3. With one needle, sew through the beadwork to exit an A in the center of the inner edge of the bezel. Pick up an 8 mm pearl, and sew through the center A opposite the A your thread just exited (FIGURE B). Retrace the thread path to secure the pearl, and then sew through the beadwork to exit an A along the inner edge on one side of the bezel. 

4. With the same needle, pick up a C, and sew through the next A of the inner edge. Repeat this step to complete the round, and then retrace the thread path around the inner edge.

5. With the same needle, sew through the beadwork to exit an A along the outer edge of the same side of the bezel. Work a round as in step 4, but use 2 mms instead of Cs. End this thread.

6. Using the other needle, sew through the beadwork to exit an A along the inner edge of the remaining side of the bezel, and then repeat steps 4 and 5. End the thread.

7. Make a total of four bezeled pearls.