WILMA BRACELET
By LESLIE ROGALSKI

Stitch BIG beads into a statement cuff and bling it up for larger than life fun!

Technique: Two-needle crisscross stitch, picot
Skill level: Advanced beginner and up

Materials are for an 8" bracelet. Shorten by three large beads and related embellishment beads for a 7" bracelet. Different clasps may change your length.

28 15 mm round beads (L)
9 12mm round beads (M)
18 6 mm crystal rondelles (small)
2 8 mm crystal rondelles (large)
20 size 6 seed beads, color A (green frost AB)
20 size 6 seed beads, color B (purple)
6 g size 8 seed beads, color C (transparent AB lined light green)
24 4 mm crystal bicones (Swarovski Tanzanite or match color B)
22 size 11 seed beads, color C
1 magnetic clasp set
C-lon cord to match color of largest beads
Beadalon WildFire beading thread .006, green
2 needles for C-lon (big eye, collapsible eye or embroidery. Needle eyes must accommodate the C-lon and be able to pass through the 8°s.)
2 #12 beading needles for Wildfire thread
Scissors

BASE CUFF (FIGURE 1)
1. String an embroidery needle on each end of a 2 yd piece of C-lon. String one large bead (L) to the middle.

2. On each needle string one 6° color A, one L, and one 6°A. String one L on one needle and crisscross the other needle through the same L just strung and through the 6°s. (a-b.) Repeat for length of bracelet. Exit each needle through the 6°s (c.)

Crisscross embellishment (FIGURE 2)
3. Working back along the bracelet length: String five 8°s, one 6°B and one small (6mm) rondelle on each needle. On one needle string one M (12mm) bead and sew through the rondelle and 6° on the second needle. Sew the second needle through the M, the rondelle and the 6° on the first needle (a-b.) The M beads should sit over the space in the center of each unit of four L beads. At the last unit knot the threads as shown (b), sew the ends into the beadwork, retracing thread paths, and trim.

Crystal picots (FIGURE 3)
4. String a #12 beading needle on each end of a 4 ft piece of Wildfire thread. Center the thread on one end L bead. Pass each needle through their respective 6°As (a). String one crystal and one 11° on one needle (red thread) and pass back through the crystal, the 6°, the L and the other 6° (a-b). Pull the picot just formed snug to the 6° bead.

5. Carefully so as not to pierce the C-lon, pass through five 8°s, a 6°B, a rondelle, the M, a rondelle, and the other 6°B. String one crystal and one 11°. (c.) Sew back through the crystal and through the 6° B, a rondelle, an M, a rondelle, and the other 6°B (c-d).  Adjust so the picot is snug to the 6° bead as in Step 4.

6. Pass through five 8°s, a 6°A, an L, and the other 6°A (d-e.)

7. Repeat Steps 4-6 adding picots down one side of the bracelet, ending with the picot on the last L bead.

8. Repeat Steps 4-7 with the other needle (blue thread) to crisscross through the beads adding picots down the other side of the bracelet. Knot the two threads discreetly between the last L and 6° A bead, secure the ends, and trim.

Clasp (FIGURE 4)
9.  Note: to lengthen or shorten just a tad, add or subtract size 8° beads in this step equally on both sides of the large bead. Thread a #12 needle to the center of a new 18" piece of Wildfire to work with doubled thread. Sew through one of the end L beads leaving a 4" tail. String six 8°s, a large rondelle and one half of your clasp. String six 8°s and sew through the L bead. Retrace the entire circuit once more. Securely knot together your working thread and tail threads discreetly between the L and the 6° beads. Weave in the ends and trim.

10. Repeat Step 9 for the other end of your bracelet.

For more information visit www.sleeplessbeader.com