Heart Lace by Sabine Lippert

I remember when I first took notice of Sabine Lippert.  She was incredibly prolific and her designs were very compelling.  I remember emailing her with the question 'Who the heck are you?'  ok, maybe not quite phrased like that but I certainly wanted to know more about her.  We began an on-line relationship those many years ago and then were fortunate to meet at her first Bead and Button show.  Since then we've had many occasions to spend time together and I continue to say 'Who the heck are you?'  Her work continues to be prolific, her colorways are always magical and  you can count on her thread paths being inventive.  This week she has given us Heart Lace, a wonderful bracelet that used the square frame to surround the interior heart shape.  I predict there will be many of these made and I'm pretty sure single, double as shown or even triple wide would all be fun combinations.  I'd love to see one with each heart a different color, oooh and with black matte surround beads.  It may be that I'll have to try my hand at one.  Thanks Sabine for sharing a great project.  Marcia

Supplies

The bracelet can be made in multiple rows, depending on this the bead amount varies.

6g seed beads size 11° in silver

2g seed beads size 11° in red

3g seed beads size 15 in red

magnetic clasp 10mm

Fireline 0,12mm

beading needle size 11°

Introduction:

This beaded lace is made square by square.  In some positions the color of the beads depends whether the position is at the outline or in the center of the bracelet. 

Step 1

You are using size 11° beads only in this step. String 2 silver, 1 red, 1 silver, 1 red, 5 silver. Pass again through the 4th silver bead counted from the end, creating a RAW unit. String one silver, one red, 7 silver beads. Pass again through the 4th bead counted from the end. String 9 silver beads, pass again through the 4th bead counted from the end. String 3 silver, 1 red, 1 silver bead and pass again through the very first bead strung in this step. String 3 silver beads and pass again through this first bead.

Referring to the drawing, you have 4 RAW units in the corners and each 5 beads in the upper and lower horizontal and left and right vertical line.

Exit from the first silver bead in the upper horizontal line (see drawing).

Step 2

In this step we only use size 11° seed beads. String one silver bead, skip the red one and pass though the next bead of the previous step. String one silver bead, skip the red bead and pass through the following bead of the previous step. Pass through the following beads until you exit in front of the red bead on the left vertical line. String one red bead, skip the red one of the previous step and pass through the following beads of the previous step. Stitch forward and exit from the first bead of the lower horizontal line. String one red bead, skip one of the previous step and pass through the following bead. Repeat one more time to ad a second bead on this lower horizontal line. Pass through the beads to exit right before the red bead on the right  vertical line. String one red bead, skip one bead and pass through the next one of the previous step. Stitch forward to exit from the first red bead of the upper horizontal line.

Caution: All the beads added in this step will be at the outline position. Make sure they do not accidentally flip inside (in case of different colors inside and outside).

Step 3

We will pass along the inside beads of this square now. String 2 size 15° and pass through the following red size 11°. Repeat one more time. 

String 4 size 15°, one red size 11°, 4 size 15° and pass through the red size 11° at the right vertical line. String 2 size 15° and pass again 

through the size 11° where you started. Pass through the first size 15° added in this step and exit here. 

Step 4

String one red size 11° and pass through the following size 15°. Skip the red size 11°and pass through the following 2 size 15°, one 11°, 4 size 15°, one 11°. 

To fix the tip to the bottom, weave through the bottom line as shown in the drawing to the left. Then pass forward through the beads to the starting point and skip the right size 11° at the top line to enhance the hear shape.

Step 5

To create the second square, we start in the lower left corner of the first square (pass through the beads as shown by the doted line).

Only use size 11° beads in this step. String one silver, one re and 7 silver beads. Pass again through the 4th bead counted from the end. String 9 silver beads  and pass again through the 4th bead counted from the end. String 3 silver, one red and one silver bead.

Pass through the size 11° of the lower right corner of he previous square. The lower horizontal line of the first square becomes the upper line of the new one. Pass along its beads and exit from the first silver bead of the left vertical line. 

Step 6

At the left and right vertical line you will add each one red bead. At the lower horizontal line you will add 2 silver beads as shown in the drawing. See also Step 2. as you see, the lower horizontal line gets silver beads instead of red ones. This will be your outline position. If you want to add a third line of  hearts (or even more), you will use red beads here. Only the outline will get silver beads. 

Exit from the first red size 11° at the upper horizontal line. 

Step 7

Now fill in the heart shape as shown in steps 3 and 4. 

Step 8

To create the next square, you will attach it side wise to the first one. Where the edges and corners are shared, you will pass along the beads of the previous units. In other positions, you will string new beads as shown in step 1 and 2. Add red beads in the second step  in the two positions of the lower line, as these are the top tips of the heart in the next row. 

 It does not matter if your beading direction is clockwise or counter clockwise. 

Orientate on the edges of the previous squares to see which beads to add. String the beads of the inner square first  (dotted line) and add the beads on the outer positions in the second step (black line).

Step 9

After creating the outline, fill the center with the heart as shown in steps 3 and 4.

Step 10

To create the 4th square, you will only have to attach the lower horizontal line and the right vertical line. Add he second layer of beads in the required positions (see step 2) and after that, fill the heart shape into the center. 

Remember to use the silver beads  on the bottom line instead of red beads, if this is the outline of your bracelet. 

Continue in this manner until your 

bracelet has the desired length.

Attach a clasp to the center at both ends.

I hope you enjoyed this little pattern. And never forget to spread and share your love for beads.

Happy Beading

Yours

Sabine Lippert

www.Trytobead.com

No commercial use allowed. Thank you!

For a printable pattern click here.