How to make a bead loom pattern from a photo
- Choose a photo and set the width in beads. The number of rows follows the shape of the photo.
- Pick your beads (Delica 11/0 or round seed beads) so the finished size and the grams are right.
- Choose the number of colours and tick “Remove single stray beads” for a cleaner picture.
- Download the PDF with the chart, the colour key and the row-by-row word chart. Set up one more warp thread than the pattern is wide.
Warping and weaving
- Warp threads: beads across + 1. A 30-bead-wide pattern needs 31 warps.
- Each row: pick up the beads listed for that row, left to right, push them up between the warps from below, and pass the needle back through them above the warps.
- Tension: keep the warps tight and even; loose warps make the picture wavy.
Finished size
| Pattern | Delica 11/0 | Round seed 11/0 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 × 120 beads (bracelet) | 2.6 × 19.2 cm | 3.0 × 24 cm |
| 40 × 60 beads | 5.2 × 9.6 cm | 6.0 × 12 cm |
| 80 × 100 beads (wall piece) | 10.4 × 16 cm | 12 × 20 cm |
On the loom a bead lies on its side, so it is a little taller than it is wide; the chart and preview keep that shape, so a round face stays round.
Frequently asked questions
How many warp threads do I need?
One more than the number of beads across: a pattern 30 beads wide needs 31 warp threads.
How do I read the chart?
Each row of the chart is one row on the loom, read from the top. The word chart lists the colours of each row from left to right, so you can pick up a row of beads and pass it under the warps in one go.
Which beads work best on a loom?
Delica 11/0 cylinder beads give the neatest, most even picture. Round seed beads work too; choose them in the settings so the size and bead counts match.
How big will my loom piece be?
The tool shows the finished size: Delica 11/0 beads are about 1.3 mm wide by 1.6 mm high on the loom, so a 40 × 100 bead pattern is about 5 × 16 cm.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The pattern is calculated in your browser, so your photo never leaves your device.
Last updated 2026-10-20.