ACCESSORIZE IT: NEEDLEPOINT BRACELETS
1. Frame up and begin.
Moonlight Bangle Materials This basic bangle is stitched entirely in double-plaited cross-stitch (see Figure C on previous
» 9" stretcher bars ( 2 pairs) page). After framing up the canvas in the same
way as for the cuff, begin with a foundation of silk
crosses (stitches 1-8 on Figure C) that are laid over
7 canvas threads, using 5-ply of the Splendor silk.
Remember to use the laying tool for these stitches
to keep the silk smooth and flat.
» 9"× 9" piece of eggshell 18-count
mono canvas
» Kreinik metallic 102 medium
#16 braid ( 10 meters)
» At least 20 transparent or
silver beads
» Splendor silk ( 1 card)
» 20-25 medium transparent beads
2. Stitch the double crosses.
Then, stitch the double crosses over the top (stitches
9-16) using the metallic braid. Weave the final stitch
( 15-16) under stitch 9-10. The entire bracelet is one
row of these squares. Repeat blocks of double-plaited
cross-stitch as many times as it takes to create a
row that is long enough to go around your wrist
without a clasp (it’s a bangle bracelet).
» 16-20 small transparent beads
» 1 large silver bead
» Laying tool
» Size 22 tapestry needle
» Beading needle
3. Finish stitching.
Stitch a full block of double-plaited crosses in the
silk, at both ends of the bracelet. Keep in mind that
the stitch used for this bracelet will not fully cover
the canvas, which adds some nice dimension to
the piece. Coverage is assisted by the strategic
placement of beads on the bracelet.
4. Add the beads.
Using your beading needle, tack down 1 medium
transparent bead between each square, working
across the bracelet, and tack down a border of the
small beads, one at a time, around the silk squares
at each end of the bracelet. Place 1 medium bead
in the center of each of these silk squares. Now,
take the canvas off the frame and cut the bracelet
out, leaving about 4 rows of raw canvas around the
perimeter. Fold the raw canvas back along both
edges of the length of the piece and whipstitch
them together. Then, fold back the short ends of the
bracelet and stitch these down. Finally, attach the
large bead between each end to create a bangle;
you can stitch or glue this bead to the ends.
Kristina Pinto is a psychology instructor, fiber artist,
runner, and mother. She has been stitching for 12 years.
Her fiber projects can be viewed at: flickr.com/photos/
threadgatherer/sets/433121.
