How to Work Beaded St. Petersburg Chain

St. Petersburg chain is a beautiful, versatile bead stitch that makes a lovely strap for a necklace or can be formed into various shapes.  Your imagination is the only limitation on what you can do with this stitch.  Some people find it confusing, but with these step by step illustrations and text you'll be working your own St. Petersburg chain project in no time.

Step 1

Cut a length of thread about 8 to 12  feet long.  Yes I said eight to twelve  feet, it's not a typo, but don't worry, you'll only be working with half that length at a time.

Thread a needle on one end of the thread and pick up a stop bead.  Slide the stop bead to the center of the thread and pass the thread through it again to anchor it.

Pick up one accent bead (AC) and six main color beads (MC).

Step 2

Pass the thread back up through the third and fourth MC beads added in the previous step positioning the last two beads added side by side with them.  Pull thread taut.

Step 3

Pick up one AC.  Skip the AC and pass needle down through three MC's.
After each step remember to pull the thread taut.  Pulling toward the work you've already done helps keep the tension even.

Step 4

Pick up one AC and pass up through two MC's.

Step 5

Pick up four MC beads.  Pass the needle back up through the first two MC beads added.

Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until your strap is ½ the length desired.
End with step 4 and attach one half of your clasp.

Turn your work over, remove the stop bead and thread the other end of your thread onto your needle.

Step 6

Skip the AC your thread is coming out of and pass your thread up through the next four MC beads.

Step 7

Pick up two MC beads and pass the needle back up through the top two MC  beads and           the top AC in the previous row.

Step 8

Skip the AC bead and pass the thread down through the next three MC beads.

Work steps 4 and 5, then repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until your strap is the same length as the other side.  Finish as you did the first side.

Note:  Only work steps 6, 7, and 8 one time to get your second side started.

Comments (2)

jswana said:

	... I like your well-written articles. Thanks for sharing how to work beaded St. Petersburg Chain.
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May 02, 2010
Votes: +2

walkaboutangel said:

	... This is fascinating... I cant wait to try to learn it.... Thank you so much... Wishing you a wonderful, magical day Angel
	report abuse vote down vote up

August 25, 2010
Votes: +2