This lovely sparkling snowflake pattern was created by our Beading Tutor Steph Gibbs – she loves the wonderful geometric & symmetrical shapes created by nature and has captured them in this beautiful decoration.
You can download a printable PDF version here. Please note is was first created using Swarovski Xilion bead which have since been discontinued, the updated material list is below.
Materials
6 x 5mm Preciosa bicone beads
(we’ve used Crystal AB bicones)
6 x 4mm Preciosa bicone beads
6 x 6mm Kheop par Puca 2 hole beads (we’ve used pastel silver)
144 (approx. 1.1g) x Size 11 Seed Beads (we’ve used Crystal AB)
1m x white beading thread (we used 0.15mm wildfire)
Size 10 Beading needle
This pattern is aimed at both beginner and intermediate level beaders.
For beginners, work your snowflake up to step 4, then fasten off your threads.
If you’d like more of a challenge continue on to step 5 to add a spiky edge to your snowflake.
New thread paths in each step are highlighted in red. New beads in each step are added in purple.
Making Your Sparkling Snowflake
1. Cut a 1m length of thread. Thread your needle and pick up 6 x 5mm bicone beads, tie the two ends of thread together using a double knot; creating a circle. Leave a tail of thread long enough to fasten off later ( approx. 8cm), thread through the first bead in the circle again.
2. Pick up 1 seed bead, thread through the next bicone bead , repeat this until you have 1 seed bead in between each bicone bead. Finish by going through the first seed bead added in this step.
3. Pick up 1 seed bead, thread through a Kheop bead (on the side with 2 holes), pick up 6 seed beads, thread down through the other hole in the Kheop bead (so the 6 beads sit over the point) pick up 1 more seed bead and thread back though the seed bead in between the bicone bead that you started from, in the same direction, followed by the next bicone bead and seed bead. Repeat this 5 more times to add the remaining snowflake ‘arms’. Finish this step by threading through the first new seed bead, Kheop bead and the next seed beads of the first arm added.
4. Pick up 5 seed beads, thread through the 1st of these beads again, in the same direction (see enlarged diagram above to the right – this will create a small circle). Then thread down through the 3 seed beads on the other side of the Kheop bead. Pick up 1 seed bead, followed by 1 x 4mm bicone bead and 4 more seed bead. Thread though just the 4mm bicone bead again, (in the same direction) pick up 1 more seed bead and thread up the first 3 seed beads along the side of the next Kheop bead. Repeat this 5 more times. Finish by going through the first 3 seed beads at the point above the Kheop bead. For beginners you can finish your snowflake here; see the fasten off section below.
Intermediate level
5. Intermediate level – Pick up 1 seed bead, thread through the next 2 beads of the small circle, followed by the first 2 beads down the side of the Kheop bead, pick up 1 seed bead and thread through the first 2 seed beads above the 4mm Bicone bead, pick up 1 seed bead and thread through the remaining 2 beads above the 4mm Bicone bead (this will form a point).
Pick up 1 seed bead and thread up through the second and third beads of the 2 beads up the side of the Kheop bead, followed by the 2 beads that form the side of the small circle (5 a). Repeat this 5 more times to complete the snowflake, finish by going through the first seed bead added, fasten off your threads. You can use an off cut of the thread to hang your snowflake from one of the points.
Fastening off and securing threads
Tying half hitch knots is a secure way to fasten off your threads; take the needle under the thread in between the bead you are exiting from and the next bead; as you slowly pull the thread through a loop will form, take the needle though the loop in the direction the thread was going, pull the thread tight, this should create a knot around the thread. Thread through a few more beads, tie another half hitch knot, pass through a few more beads then cut off the excess thread – it’s important to go through a few beads after a knot, before cutting the excess thread so the knot doesn’t become undone.
We hope you have fun creating your Sparkling Snowflake Decoration. Share your creations with us on social media using #TheBeadShopNottingham or tag us in your posts.
Our free patterns are produced to inspire creativity and as a way to promote the use of our bead ranges. Even though they are free for everyone to use, they are our intellectual property. You free and welcome use our patterns to create work for yourself or as gifts. Please do not reproduce our patterns or designs for resale without our prior consent.
This design is Copyright The Bead Shop Nottingham Ltd 2019