Bead Crochet Mastering the Beaded Rope with Ann Benson

The bead crochet rope demystified with animations, close-up video, and clear, concise steps for getting started and making each stitch. Materials, tools, and techniques are discussed and demonstrated in detail by veteran bead crocheter Ann Benson

[@woodenshoelane]

What a SPECTACULAR video!!! The animation is clear, and concise. I am a veteran crochet artist, but I do not know how to do this... yet! I am retired as well, and I love to crochet. This looks complicated but it is worth the time an effort to learn. Thank you for posting this.

[@keto4life458]

Best crochet tutorial I have ever seen and I have seen a lot!

[@AnnBenson]

Thank you! 😊

[@kimboeckman]

Ann! Thank you so very, very much for making this tutorial for those of us who have struggled with bead crochet! I am so happy that I finally got it... I watched this video for 2 days, repeatedly trying to stitch along...Finally, I did it!!! Muscle memory!!! Thank you!!!

[@alinda35]

Ann, thanks to you I have understood what i have to do and not do to be successful in bead crochet. thank you so much for sharing and explaining every step in such a good way ! Thanx, thanx, thanx...

[@debmarsden9708]

"and now that I am brilliant" - I LOVE THIS! Thank you Ann for your beautifully narrated video - I've spent my Sunday morning looking for a new crochet challenge, and your vid has me sold! I'm off to Spotlight :) :) :)

[@danielam.4472]

I'm a teacher (English Language and literature) and I can say YOU are a really great and great teacher!

[@PARASNIP]

wow, great tutorial love the animation! thorough work, very very helpful, i am a total and utter beginner never crochet a day in my life but i was able to follow this very easily and make a beautiful beaded rope thank you +Ann Benson

[@AnnBenson]

Hello Lys, we have posted two videos on bead crochet finishing on our Beads East Channel, one for a roll on bangle with focal bead and caps, and one for the invisible join, we hope you'll enjoy them!

[@doreestone4487]

The voice is pleasant and clear. The animations are superb. The explanation is crystal clear and easily understood, the camera is always in focus and the work is always centered in the frame. This is the best tutorial video I've ever seen on any subject and I do tatting, crocheting, knitting, applique bead work, loomed bead work, quilling, and Irish crochet. Thank you for this most excellent video.

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you doing doree??

[@valafualoconway1117]

"You must obey!"

[@ArleneShermam]

I have been struggling all day with this! I have a great PDF but could not get it! Oh my aching neck! If I had watched this tutorial I would have had a finished bracelet!

[@rosemarievelrozabielikov855]

Wonderful tutorial!

[@gehobanilopez4206]

Gracias por compartir, está muy bien explicado. Thanks for sharing . Thumbs up.

[@marystoddard9138]

Ditto to all the good comments!❤️

[@bozenadyczkowska712]

Genialna animacja!

[@AnnBenson]

If by embroidery thread you mean six-ply floss, I wouldn't recommend it, because the hook may split the threads as you manipulate it during the stitch.

[@micuba]

Thanks, I dying to try this technique.

[@mahaskills]

Awesome Tutorial!

[@AnnBenson]

I'll never completely retire . . .

[@valafualoconway1117]

the best crochet explanations ever!

[@carolmelancon]

How anyone could "thumbs down" one of the clearest tutorials I've ever seen is beyond me.

[@virgovillage3926]

I don't understand that either..smh bunch of haters

[@AnnBenson]

Giving me smiles. Lots of wannabees out there, not willing to do the work. Oh, well. We carry on in spite of them.

[@marykayewaterson6771]

Some people just don't get it. Everyone learns differently - maybe this didn't explain anything to them at all. No reason to call them names.

[@pattydixon6195]

Where can I find the winding card? I have only found the small floss cards.

[@samanthanicholson9015]

card board and tp roll paper help make small cards or larger ones i shape mine like a little bone shape cut the end two sides have little slits wrap thread around n use end to help hold onto until you unwind

[@kevans2984]

Best tutorial video - ever! Thank you

[@AnnBenson]

For 8o seed beads there are abut eleven rounds per inch. For 11o seed beads there are about fifteen (fourteen if your tension is loose) rounds per inch. Multiply the number rounds needed by the number of beads in each round by the number of inches desired, and VOILA! string on that many beads (roughly)

[@louisedragne5319]

Ann Benson woooow Thank you 🙏 I so if I crochet with bigger beads I will count the rounds per inch or cm!!!! Thank you

[@gsabillon23]

I absolutely love this video! It was clear, concise and slow; just perfect for me. Thanks a lot and please, keep producing videos with this quality.

[@aprilstewart5929]

This is truly the best tutorial I've ever seen. It makes perfect sense; I love it! Thanks for this!!!

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you doing April??

[@Libertydragon1]

Wow, I agree with Doree... this is one of the best tutorial video I've ever seen. It's very clear and concise. can't wait to have a go! Thank you Ann for taking the time to show and share your craft.

[@louisedragne5319]

Dear Ann please how can I know how Nani beds to tread? If a bracelet is 15cm Or a rope is 55-100cm Thank you 🙏 excellent tutorials

[@AnnBenson]

I think about 14cm of beads per linear cm of crocheted bracelet

[@louisedragne5319]

Thank you 🙏

[@Craftsycreations]

Oh my goodness, I have been trying to do this forever. Thank you so so much I finally got it.

[@crimsonbaggett5771]

Angela MSAvonRep16 me too!!!!!!

[@karenstrona1177]

Another beading technique learned! What a great video. I have the privilege of having Beads East as my local bead store. Ann is just as nice in person as she sounds on the video. Beads East is an awesome store with so many beads and kits it would make your head spin. The classes with Barbara Ponticelli are outstanding and the staff is second to none. Everything I know about beading I learned at Beads East. Worth the trip from anywhere!

[@AnnBenson]

Left-handed animations are still there, scroll down the page, the links are under the video! Also, there is a downloadable PDF for left-handed crocheters as well.

[@AnnBenson]

My goodness, MetalGrannie, I am humbled. Thank you so much. I love doing these videos---I do the actual animation and production as well, so much fun! Again, my gratitude to you and to Beading Gem's Journal for the kind comments.

[@SusieJefferson]

A brilliant video - very clear instructions, and the animation is just amazing! I'm now a follower and look forward to creating quite a few of these (I'm a jewellery and crochet addict). Thank you!

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you susie??

[@DelCarmenArtesanal]

EXCELENTE!!!!

[@delfinaardila359]

Gracias por su enseñanza, excelente explicación, clara, sencilla.

[@raisayufit6568]

Wow! This the best tutorial I came across.so clear and simple! Thanks a lot. Are you doing necklaces to order?

[@melanie9216]

Yes definitely! I needed about 5 tries but it looks like it got the hang of it. And this is THE video to watch.

[@careyholman]

"Muscle memory". I mastered bead tubes about five years ago, but now I"m all thumbs! Thanks for the video. It's a big help getting back into the groove.

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you doing Carey??

[@Madam-Arcati2013]

Fabulous, explanatory video. Thank you!

[@Nivia308]

Ann ..! no hablo ingles.!! pero... este video que ha hecho es maravilloso y fácil de entender también para mi que no domino su idioma... he comprendido todo el paso a paso con las ilustraciones que hace , ¡¡¡ha sido muy fácil!! , gracias y me suscribo a su canal para seguir viendo sus trabajos que son preciosos . un saludo

[@elenaro1949]

Oh Ann, this video is awesome, I understood perfectly, even when English is not my first language... Thank you so much, I appreciate your teaching abilities.. Regards from Mexico City

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hi, how are you doing Elena??

[@sarahklein4519]

How can the best tutorial in the world have around 200 Thumps down?? What happend?? These are so far the best Videos ever... thank you so much!!

[@lindasailing7098]

After watching and re-watching your excellent video I believe I finally caught on to the magic of spiral crochet!’ Thank you for a clear and concise video😊

[@BoobooK1620]

Omg, I just discovered bead crochet (April 2021) and I'm mesmerized!! It came to me in the form of a mindless search on Etsy where I found a scotch plaid crocheted necklace...stunning!! Alot of this stuff seems to come out of eastern Europe. I contacted the seller, who told me not to bother getting the pattern until I have watched a few You Tube videos, practiced & become a bit proficient in the art. Must say, I was surprised that she didn't jump right on a sale! So I followed her suggestion and found YOU. This is the single best instructional video that I've seen on You Tube. After watching twice...I can absolutely do this!! And then, I found your website & store on Etsy. I already do kumihimo, so tubular jewelry is not unfamiliar, however limited in pattern. I don't know if I should thank you...I don't need another obsession :-) lol

[@lynnmckinney7810]

i've tried this so many times with no success, but this tutorial is very good and i am going to try this again. thank you so much, i think the best is not have fingers in the way, having just the animated tutorial is the best!!

[@pinkyhooks4939]

Thank you Ann. I love how you took on a different approach to teach this method. I tried for 2 days in a row with other tutorials and sadly no luck. The graphics were great. I just chant ,"in, over, down, under, and through ". Next thing you know, my spiral began to form like a perfect twister! God bless you.

[@nikir.redman6914]

It doesn't matter how large the beads are as long as the beads you're using are even in size. If you use beads of varying sizes then it won't lay evenly. Czech glass seed beads tend to more irregular than beads of of different origin. Supposedly Japanese beads sold by the gram are very consistent. I will note I used size 5 perle cotton thread, size 6 seed beads and a 1 aka 2.75mm needle and was able to make a very even piece. :)

[@mariewuidart-burkhardt1457]

Thank you for this amazing tutorial! My mother-in-law tried to teach me, and I've watched many tutorials but yours is by far the most effective! And I've finally got the hang of it :)

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you doing Marie??

[@42Shewolf]

At LAST! I got it. Thanks so much. Been trying for years. Now I can do the beaded snakes that I've been planning for decades, lol

[@AnnBenson]

Smaller hook, smaller stitch!

[@marcellinadeboise6489]

I thought this video was great.it helped me alot.i bought her book on tube crochet and just finished reading it.The book is the best it comes with lots of patterns and very clear instructions.well worth the money.thank you for being a good person and sharing you talent.

[@musikkfamilien]

I have never done this myself, but I will like to try. And really, I am so amazed how brilliantly and carefully tutorial you have made! Thank you!

[@AnnBenson]

I hope you'll keep trying, Becky, and please post when you have your "Eureka" moment! It will happen.

[@graciecarreon7825]

Please, I could really use you help. Just starting this project for a friend and my starting chain doesn't look very neat, you can see the thread. What am I doing wrong? Help😢 would greatly be appreciated.

[@brendafreeman8714]

Thank you so much for the step/step video, What store can I order some beads please, ? Thank you so much again. From , Brenda Freeman, :)

[@carey-loujones7860]

Best tutorial I've ever seen. Very clear, pictures and animations are amazing. You can't mess up with Ann teaching you :)

[@lindaschilling6850]

Possibly one of the best tutorials I have ever seen on here! Just as I was asking someone about earlier today, here I find this Great explanation 💖

[@Woodspiritsoul]

Thank you for the wonderful tutorials you upload! So easy to follow as audio and video as well, really thankful!

[@rezkitty397]

I guess practice will help me get better?

[@janeb5244]

Ann thank you! Very concise instructions. I bet you're a retired teacher...lol I have crocheted in the past and would love to start with one of those geometric patterns but I will do as you advise and start with the 3 colours using #8 beads.... Janie B

[@triciaquinton166]

i struggled with this for days...then found you video and tried it with the coloured bead rotation..and it helped greatly. My only thing is figuring out the best way to hold the thread ...I seem to be all thumbs. was wondering though...how can you tell which bead is next...sometimes I look at them thread inside the "spool" of work...and I wouldn't be able to tell which bead was next if it wasn't for the simple rotating pattern ...if one wants to progress to a solid colour I would get lost

[@CrimsonBronxs]

Great tutorial been wanting to try this for ages but could never get the hang of it now I found this tutorial it make it so easy for me to do. Also what program did you use to make the tutorial with as I have been looking for the one you used for ages now and have never found it

[@AnnBenson]

Hi Colin, I use animation software to create the videos, there are some great free ones online but there is a fairly steep learning curve on everything. Thanks for your kind words!

[@orlandapalomo162]

🎉Happy to find you ,I loved the demostration how this work .🎉🎉

[@pinklaura1961]

This is spectacular and amazing! I absolutely love Ann Benson tutorials! Trying to figure out where to purchase the pearl cotton thread?

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you doing Laura??

[@aisacrochetfashion]

The color looks perfect, I love doing crochet but I never done like this before. I just love putting some beads on my crochet clothes. I'm a student and crocheting is one of my hobbies.

[@twilaaffolder2610]

What if I started with a 6 count bead pattern with 2 same color beads? Will I still have same pattern or should it always be a singular bead with the 3 colors I've chosen?

[@ridzbeadz]

thank you for such a crystal clear tutorial. now I finally feel like trying this!

[@BeingBeverly1]

Haha that was actually funny, probably funnier will be my effort to trying it, but heh, I'll give it a go! Thanks :)

[@afrommi2275]

I have tried and it doesn't come out right. I found another video using a piece of cloth line rope at the begging to keep the beaded tube from collapsing & it works perfectly. I am a beginner. The animation helped a lot also.

[@fludrby]

Bravo! What a wonderful tutorial! You have out done yourself , thank you so much for sharing your craft, and technique . Superior to all I have viewed thus far. Thank you again

[@leilanilogan40]

Gosh. I didn't think there were so many different ways to do this. This way seems way more difficult

[@tweektweakk965]

For u new people I reccomend for a VERY first time I reccomend using yarn and pony beads.trust me, I learned the hard way

[@MetalGrannie]

I got to this video, although I already subscribe, via an email from The Beading Gem's Journal dated June 9, 2013, referring to it as "The Best Ever Tubular Crochet Bead Rope Tutorial." I agree. The reason I'm commenting, is that if you, Ann, are the narrator of your youtube videos, if I were you I would get myself an agent to book voice-overs and audio for TV commercials, or whatever. Or to record automated messages. You have the best voice I've ever heard (female) and your diction flawless

[@devocreations1]

I have tried to bead crochet so many times...and then I gave up. But when I saw this video I decided to try one more time. I had to take it out 2 times but on my third try I realized when you go into the whole where the first bead is that you have to push it over the crochet hook and place the new bead between the 2 loops on the hook and then crochet over...and then ......it worked...and after 10 minutes I had a spiral rope!!! Thanks so much!!

[@elsasun]

Where can I find size 10 perle coton? I can only find size 5, 8 and 12. 8 is a bit too thick and 12 is too thin.

[@AnnBenson]

Hi Kathe, I thought I'd already replied, but I don't see my comment---you're right, 3.25 mm is HUGE for tubular bead crochet. A size 10 steel crochet hook has a shaft diameter of less than 1mm, about .75 to .80mm. The thread I prefer for learning is size 10 or 12 perle cotton (actual correct spelling: perle coton), After learning you can change to a different thread depending on your desired outcome. Meters per gram will vary by manufacturer, but you'll get about 50 stitches per meter.

[@marcellamurray5080]

NO I still can't do it and I can crochet... It is so frustrating... hopefully one day it will click and I will be able to do it. This was a beautiful tutorial and it makes it look so easy, but to me it is not. Do keep up all this good work it was amazing. Thanks Becky

[@haloula01]

thank you very much this was very clear and helpful ☺

[@taccora]

I have a quick question. How do you calculate how many beads you would need? From what I've found you need to have all the beads you plan to use strung beforehand. Is there a calculation for that?

[@lexijackson5105]

Hi Ann! I met you yesterday at a craft fair and I am so thankful that you told me about this tutorial! It looks so easy now. I will try it soon and let you know how it goes!

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you doing lexi??

[@KatheLewis]

Hi Ann, thanks for a very clear explanation! Two things I am in doubt about - the sizes of yarn and crochet needle. Are the sizes you mention of the English or American system? I am in Denmark where we use metric - I looked for a converter and according to that your chrochet needle would be a 3.25mm, can that really be true? Sounds huge to me! And the thread, any way of describing in length pr weight unit?

[@AvieMare]

After about 4 tries I have learned the technique but my work is untidy. I believe I have thread that is too large. I'm using standard Doily thread. It's difficult because I have Arthritis and like you said one must develop muscle memory. I have mastered pretty much every basic stitch sortie is one of my last challenges. I won't quit until I can at least produce a decent spiral even if I never become great at it. Thanks for the great tutorial!

[@samanthanicholson9015]

when i first tried i forget to move bead over needle before sliding new bead down

[@AnnBenson]

Yes, Terri---remember the part about taking a deep breath as you pull the thread through the loops? That's the point at which you want to try to loosen up. Also, try holding your crochet hook differentlt; I crochet more loosely when I "knife" hold as opposed to "fork" holding. Also, you may want to look at your thread/ bead size combination. 8os should be worked with size 10 or 8 perle coton; 11os with Conso, Gutermann or Metrocene. I also use size 12 perle coton or Sebelia for 11os. Good luck!

[@MsVasr]

Lovely tutoria, Annl..so well thought off and easy to follow. I'm a `leftie' but can't seem to see the tutorial for left handed. Pls help!. Thanks a lot.

[@ma.ysabelbautistalopez9882]

SUPER excelente explicación de la teacher, thank you

[@aidaghalib5215]

thank you so much I loved every thing in this video you are professnal

[@konulaslan]

Amazing explanation. *Təşəkkürlər* / Thanks 22.01.2022, 11:53

[@OrigamiTwist]

You have succeeded in demystifying the beaded rope for me! Thank you Ann!

[@rozyroan385]

bead crocheting demystified, thank you!

[@ammaratajmat1392]

Appreciate the efforts in video. Thank you for the Animation 👍

[@beshoo366]

This is not clear at all .. i always stop at the next step and i don't know what to do /: should i chine or else !!! .

[@crystalholt4856]

ty I will be trying this i have to say i found your video informational and entertaining

[@anuzrath7726]

Great job mam.. thank you very much.... for this video

[@AnnBenson]

Use smaller beads, such as size 10 or size 11, a finer thread, and/or a smaller number of beads around, perhaps five.

[@AnnBenson]

Hello, A size 10 crochet hook is about .75mm, a size 9 is slightly larger, you're right, 3.25mm is HUGE! Good luck and I hope you'll enjoy it.

[@sandiecheney4510]

Ann I dearly love your beadweaving Book I wish you would create a video on it as hard as I try I cannot get it.

[@123akcc]

Excellent!

[@charsbabushka]

Thank you soo much. I do not have time at the moment but I will definitely be trying to learn this stitch.

[@eridaniaramos4013]

Muy bien ahora si entendí bien, tratare de hacerlo, graciassss

[@bedrockrose]

Hello Ann, great video tutorial on beaded crochet rope. Would you happen to have any clips or tips on fixing the occasional 'oops'? Like when I accidentally pull crochet needle out and can't locate where to reposition, or when I find I need to unravel a few rows to fix a mistake, but again don't know where to reinsert my crochet hook? Would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure!

[@festuswilliams9428]

Hello, how are you doing Laura??

[@화용-g2h]

와. 이런 설명은 처음이에요. 보고서 잘 따라해볼께요.

[@hestervanschouwenburg4815]

The first foudation row is excellent but after that I was lost But I suppose one should persevere

[@Pennys33]

where can I find instructions on making a flat bead crochet bracelet?

[@AnnBenson]

Thread the beads as follows: nine 11o beads, one 8o bead, two 11o beads, one 8o bead, repeat LOTS (perhaps 60 times for a bracelet. Crochet SIX around. The 8os will all line up on both sides of the tube creating the illusion of a flat bracelet. It's still a tube but it does look flatter than a tube