How to Make a Chenille Stitch Rope for Bead Embroidery Pendants | Bead Weaving Tutorial

This is the fourth video in a four part series.  Click here to watch

Join Catriona Starpins in this easy-to-follow bead weaving tutorial as she shows you how to create a beautiful chenille stitch rope—perfect for hanging your bead embroidered pendants.

Using just two colours of size 11 seed beads and FireLine thread, you’ll learn how to build up this elegant, lacy rope step by step.

 In this video, you’ll discover:

How to start your chenille rope with a simple thread and needle setup Tips for choosing and handling beads (Czech Silky Silver & Silverlined Dark Smoky Amethyst)

 Clear close-up demonstrations of each row of chenille stitch How to build tension and keep your rope neat and uniform

A clever trick using coloured tubing inside the rope to enhance and match your design

This project is perfect for beaders of all levels, and chenille stitch is a great stitch for relaxing, TV-watching, or social beading meetups.

Whether you’re finishing a special pendant or simply want to master a new rope technique, this is a great place to start!

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 🧵 Materials Used: FireLine 6lb Smoke Size 11 seed beads (Czech Silky Silver 11-01700 & Silverlined Dark Smoky Amethyst AB 11-1013) Straw beading needle (Size 11, John James) Optional: Blue plastic tubing to insert inside the rope for added colour depth Want to see more? Check out my other tutorials on bead embroidery and rope stitches!

For those of you wanting a more step by step tutorial scroll down to keep reading.

BASIC NOTES: Chenille Stitch Rope Tutorial – by Catriona Starpins

This tutorial will guide you through how to make a beautifully lacy chenille stitch beaded rope, perfect for hanging a pendant. We’ll use two colours of size 11 seed beads to create a textured, tubular design.

Materials Needed:

• FireLine 6lb Smoke (approx. a wingspan length to start with)

• Beading needle – size 11, e.g., John James Straw Needle

• Two colours of size 11 seed beads

  • Colour A (accent colour): Czech Silky Silver (11-01700)

  • Colour B (main colour): Silverlined Dark Smoky Amethyst AB

• Optional: Plastic tubing (to insert inside the rope for structure and colour enhancement)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Thread Your Needle

• Cut a wingspan of FireLine.

• Thread your needle, leaving a 5–6 inch tail. (Tip: If you’re struggling to thread the needle, check if the eye is squashed.)

Step 2: Pick Up Starting Beads

These first beads will form the first two rounds of your rope:

• Pick up in this order:
  2 x Colour B (purple)
  1 x Colour A (silver)
  2 x Colour B
  1 x Colour A
  2 x Colour B
  1 x Colour A

• Pass through all beads again to form a loop. Then go through one more bead to begin stitching.

Step 3: Add Single Beads Between Beads

You’re now adding the next round (Round 3):

• Pick up 1 x Colour A.

• Go through the next bead in the loop, splitting the pair and anchoring between beads.

• Continue all the way around, adding a single Colour A bead between each group of purples (you’ll do this 3 times).

• At the end, step up by going through the next bead and the first bead you added in this round.

Step 4: Add Pairs of Beads

This is Round 4, and you’ll alternate between single and double bead rows from now on.

• Pick up 2 x Colour B.

• Go through the next silver (Colour A) bead from the previous round.

• Repeat around: pick up 2 purple, go through next silver.

• On the third repeat, step up by going through the final silver and the first purple bead you just added.

Step 5: Add Single Beads Between Pairs

This is your next round (Round 5):

• Pick up 1 x Colour A.

• Go through the next bead in the pair and the first bead in the next pair (so you're skipping over the “valley” between pairs).

• Repeat this process around.

• On the final repeat, go through the pair and step up into the next silver bead.

Step 6: Continue the Pattern

Keep alternating between these two rounds:

• Round of doubles: Add 2 x Colour B between each Colour A.

• Round of singles: Add 1 x Colour A between each pair of Colour B.

Each time, remember to step up into the next row by going through the appropriate bead so your rope continues seamlessly.

Tips & Tricks:

• Tension: Keep the thread taut. Hold the tail thread around your fingers for stability when starting out.

• Shape: At first, the rope will look loose and floppy. It tightens up after a few rows.

• Rotation: Turn your work as you go to make stitching more comfortable.

• Thread joins: If you run out of thread, simply weave in a new one and continue.

(Optional) Insert Tubing for Colour & Structure

• If you want to enhance the colours or add firmness, insert a piece of thin, flexible plastic tubing inside the rope as you go.

• Do this when the rope is about 5–7cm long — it's easier now than once it’s finished.

• The blue tubing (like the one from Kmart craft kits) can subtly enhance the cool tones in your beads, creating a magical depth of colour.

Final Notes

• Keep going with the chenille pattern until your rope reaches the desired length.

• Use the tail thread to add a clasp or attach it to your pendant.

• This is a rhythmic, relaxing stitch — perfect for beading meetups, TV time, or a quiet evening!

Happy Beading!

Cheers, Catriona