Though the Cellini spiral looks complex and difficult to make, it’s easier to learn than it appears. If you’re familiar with an even or odd count tubular peyote stitch and have a few different sizes of beads on hand, you can learn the Cellini spiral stitch.
Tips and Tricks for Creating a Cellini Spiral
To finesse the technique you use to create a Cellini spiral, consider the following tips:
Bead Quantity
The quantity of beads needed depends on the size spiral you are planning to make. For a spiral about 8 inches in length (for a bracelet), plan on using about 5 grams of size 8 seed beads, 10 grams of each of the two sizes 11 seed beads, and about 10 grams of cylinder beads.
Thread Choice
Your thread choice will make a big difference in the flexibility of your spiral. Heavier threads like WildFire or Fireline combined with tight thread tension will result in a stiffer spiral. A lighter nylon thread like Nymo or Silamide will result in a softer, more flexible spiral.
Tight or Loose Stitch
How tightly or loosely you stitch will also have some effect on the finished spiral. Stitching tightly will cause the larger beads to “pop” more and will result in a more dramatic spiral. Looser tension will mean a softer and more flexible spiral. Try using a wider range of beads for a more dramatic spiral, starting with tiny size 15 beads and ending with a size 6 or larger bead.
Types of Beads
You can use a variety of beads in your Cellini spiral. Use gemstone chips as your largest bead for a rustic-looking spiral. Small pearls, crystals, and round gemstone beads (try 4mm beads to begin with) can give your Cellini spiral an added air of elegance.
Cellini Spiral Materials
To make a Cellini spiral like the one above, you will need the following beads (labeled with letters for easier use during the tutorial) and materials:
One color of size 11 Japanese cylinder beads such as Delicas, Treasures, or Oikos (labeled A) Two colors of size 11 seed beads (labeled B and C) One color of size 8 seed beads (labeled D) Beading thread such as Fireline or Nymo Beading needle Wooden dowel or pencil (optional) Embroidery scissors or thread burner
String Beads for a Cellini Spiral
Cut and, if necessary, condition a comfortable length of beading thread. To start your Cellini spiral, pick up beads for the first two rows just like you would in tubular peyote. The beads are picked up in graduated size order. Pick up the exact number of beads in the following order as indicated in these six steps:
Start a Cellini Spiral With a Ring of Beads
Make a circle with the beads. You can tie a square knot and then pass through the first two-cylinder beads or just pass through the beads to form a circle. At this point, you may want to slip the ring onto a wooden dowel or pencil to hold the beadwork until the spiral begins to take shape.
Work the Cellini Spiral Stitch
Now that you have your base ring of beads tied together, begin working in a tubular even count peyote stitch. To pick up the beads to make the spiral, remember this rule: the next bead you pick up and stitch will be the same color as the bead that your needle is coming out of. Here are the steps to take:
Continuing Stitching Cellini Spiral Rounds
At this point, you will need to make the step up for tubular even count peyote. As you stitch the remaining rounds, remember to always pick up the same type of bead as the bead that your thread is coming out of. To make your spiral take shape, keep a relatively tight tension. Pulling snugly on each bead as it is added will make the beads cup into a tight spiral tube.
Holding the Cellini Spiral
Remember to comfortably hold the Cellini spiral while working on it. It can be a great help when you are trying to keep an even tension. There are a couple of ways to hold tubular beadwork while the tube is starting to form. One of these two ways may work best for you:
Hold the beginning of the spiral just by hanging on to the tail thread.Slide the beadwork onto a wooden dowel, stick, or pencil while you’re working on the Cellini spiral.
If you use a dowel, make sure the beads are not tight on the wood. Being able to control the tension is important when working a Cellini spiral. It will be difficult to do this if the beadwork is too tight around the dowel.
Finishing a Cellini Spiral
To seal off the ends of your Cellini spiral piece, begin to decrease at either end until the center hole is covered. To decrease, add a bead as you normally would, then skip the next space where you would add a bead. Instead, pass your needle and thread through space and pull tightly to pull the two beads close to each other. Add another bead as you normally would. Repeat this until you have sealed up the ends of the Cellini spiral. You can also leave the ends of the spiral open. To do this, run your needle and thread through all the “up” beads on either end of the spiral. Then pull tight to move the beads close to one another. To finish, place a curved glass tube bead in the center to give it a more defined and finished shape.
