How to make a peyote pattern from a photo
- Choose a photo with a clear subject. Logos, pets and simple portraits work best; crop it close first.
- Set the width in columns and choose your beads (Delica 11/0 by default). The height follows the photo, and the width is kept even for even-count peyote.
- Choose the number of colours. Fewer colours (5–10) give a cleaner, more graphic look and fewer tubes of beads to buy.
- Check the beaded preview, then download the PDF: a cover page with the colour key and grams to buy, the offset chart, and the full word chart.
Reading the word chart
Each line tells you the next beads to pick up, for example Row 5 (20, R-L): 3 A, 2 C, 15 B: twenty beads, worked right to left, three of colour A, then two of C, then fifteen of B.
- Rows 1 & 2 are strung together at the start: the top bead of every column, from left to right.
- From row 3 on, odd rows add beads to columns 1, 3, 5… and even rows to columns 2, 4, 6…, each one bead further down, alternating direction.
- Tick off rows as you go; the word chart is the easiest way not to lose your place in a long bracelet.
How wide and long? Sizes with Delica 11/0
| Columns | Width | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1.3 cm (½ in) | Thin bracelet, bookmark edge |
| 14 | 1.8 cm (¾ in) | Classic peyote bracelet |
| 20 | 2.6 cm (1 in) | Wide cuff |
| 40 | 5.2 cm (2 in) | Panel, pendant, small picture |
Each bead adds about 1.6 mm to the length of a column, so a 17.5 cm (6⅞ in) bracelet before the clasp needs about 110 beads per column. Round 11/0 seed beads are bigger (about 1.5 mm per column and 2 mm per bead); choose them in the settings and the size updates.
Buying beads
- The key shows grams per colour, including 10% spare for odd-sized beads. Delica 11/0 run at about 200 beads per gram (a 7.2 g tube holds roughly 1,440).
- Match colours with real beads in daylight. The tool gives the hex colour and a plain name for each; your bead shop or the bead maker’s colour card has the nearest bead number.
- Cylinder beads (Delica and similar) sit evenly and give the sharpest picture in peyote.
Frequently asked questions
What is a peyote word chart?
A list of every row with the bead colours in order, like “Row 5 (20, R-L): 3 A, 2 C, 15 B”. You read the next few beads instead of counting squares on the chart. Rows 1 and 2 are strung together at the start.
Is this even-count or odd-count peyote?
Even-count flat peyote, the most common kind for bracelets and panels. The width is kept to an even number of columns automatically.
How wide should a peyote bracelet be?
With Delica 11/0 beads, each column is about 1.3 mm wide, so 20 columns make roughly 2.6 cm (1 in). For the length, the chart shows the finished size; add your clasp.
How many beads do I need?
The colour key counts every bead and converts it to grams (Delica 11/0 run at about 200 beads per gram), plus 10% for spares and rejects.
Why do the columns look staggered?
In peyote every other column sits half a bead lower. The chart shows that offset, so it looks like your beadwork and matches the word chart.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The pattern is calculated in your browser, so your photo never leaves your device.
Last updated 2026-10-20.