Can you believe that January is nearly over?  How did that happen?  Last year went by swimmingly until about September then it tripped over itself to get to Christmas.  But in the end, 365 days are 365 days - give or take Leap Year - and that's all we get.  So let's get to it!

I'm a lurker.  I belong to a couple, three beading related groups on FB and i lurk.  Oh, i'll comment once in awhile but for the most part, i lurk.  It's a time-honored notion that you learn more by being silent and staying in the shadows.  Anyways, in one of the groups, the admin has created a Bead Along for February and i am offering the Bead Along on this blog.  We'll play along but in our own little corner.  The admin said we could.  Here we go!

February 2015 Bead Along-African Helix Stitch 

The African Helix Stitch technique makes a structural beaded rope.  The rope can be made as a bracelet or necklace. When first learning the stitch it is best to use two colors of seed beads. You will also need a temporary support piece, such as a pencil or dowel rod or something else you have on hand. The size of the support piece will vary depending on the size of the circle of beads used when starting the stitch.  In doing this stitch you will work in rounds and the rounds are connected by not stitching through the previous beads but by passing over the beading thread of the previous round.

Use one of the following resources to be certain you are beading the African Helix Stitch.  For diagrams, try Fusion Beads and look under Techniques>More Beadweaving Tecniques or Beading Daily

If you prefer videos, watch here: Auntie’s Beads 2-part video: Part 1 and Part 2 
Or here: Beadschool Tutorial by Melanie De Miguel  (Take a good look at the necklace piece she shows in the beginning and read the information under "More" when you go to the video.)  

And, lastly a couple of print resources offer instruction in this stitch:  Mastering Beadwork a Comprehensive Guide to Off Loom Techniques by Carol Huber Cypher.  In the December 2004 issue of Bead and Button Magazine, Nancy Zeller presented African Helix.  And, if you still have it laying around because there were SO MANY PROJECTS, the 2007 Bead A Day Calendar, May 14-15, necklace by Jann Christiansen. The instructions for the necklace are available for free through Bead-Patterns.com

If you would like to bead along, simply make a bracelet or necklace using this technique and then post your photo (watermarked with your name) in the comments section of this post.  Tell us if you liked the stitch and which tutorial you used. Deadline is, oh, let's say February 21st.  That will leave enough time to introduce the March Bead Along.

It's a pretty one, yes?  This image - if it stays on here - is from Aunties Beads.  I think it's important to keep the "old" stitches alive by revisiting them from time to time.  Like anything, stitches fall in and out of favor; but traditional knowledge in any craft is important and it is up to the current crop of artists to see that traditional techniques are kept alive.  Let's bead!!