Peyote stitch is used around the world, in many different cultures, for many different things. Examples of peyote stitch have been found among ancient Egyptian artifacts, but the name “peyote stitch” comes from the Native American bead-weaving tradition of using the stitch to decorate the handles of gourds used for Native American peyote ceremonies. The peyote stitch is usually one of the first things a new beader learns. How-to peyote stitch beading is considered to be a form of quiet, mindful meditation for many beaders throughout the world.
In order to achieve the following photo of the beaded lighters, the Circular Peyote Stitch pattern was used. Circular peyote stitch is worked flat, with each round spreading out around from a center point. In order to keep the rows flat and even, a series of increases must be made in each round to keep beadwork from cupping in on itself.
Peyote Stitch is commonly used among the Sioux People while the Navajo have three distinct types of beadwork which are Spot or Overlay Stitch, Lazy Stitch, or Loom Weaving.
Lazy Stitch, in this method a row of beads is strung on a thread that is simply passed into the background material. No second thread is used to bind the beads to the surface. The thread is then strung once again with beads and passed back in the opposite direction.
In this way a series of small rows are laid next to each other to create a design. This technique tends to result in a distinctive ribbed appearance. In general, it was used by tribes west of the Mississippi River. It is most suitable for the geometric designs favored by the Plains Indians.
Author Bio: Amber Two Bulls is an undergrad student at Oglala Lakota College and is currently receiving her AA in Graphic Arts. She has a passion for landscape photography, still life painting and considered herself as a multipotentiality.