r/Beading • u/BoredomStruckMe • 18h ago

Doubt regarding the math behind beadwork

Hello! I've recently gotten into beading and can follow step-by-step patterns but can't really understand the logic behind it all.

For example, I've been trying to figure out how to create circular peyote spheres of different sizes using 4, 5 or 3 beads in the first row. I've seen different patterns for them but can't understand the formula(?)

I've learnt a bit of crochet and tried to apply that logic but I might be doing something wrong.

Sorry if this is a FAQ, thank you!

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u/makeupprocrastinator 18h ago

Hi, there are some books that go gently into the math behind beading. I highly recommend Crafting Conundrums by Baker and Goldstine. The books Contemporary Geometric Beadwork I and II by Kate McKinnon are also excellent.

Deriving the math behind beading is easier if you know a bit of discrete math and topology. Major pointer is that most beading is done on a triangular grid. I recently spent a few hours happily deriving the math behind calculating patterns that can be achieved by crochet ropes of various widths given a beading sequence and beading colors.

Happy beading!

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u/Traditional-Falcon75 18h ago

My learning style is trial and error. For me what works is feeling it in my hands. Do one see if it’s right. If not try a different configuration. I love YouTube tutorials step by step bead along style. I can’t really explain in words how I’m doing things though, I would have to show you. That’s probably unhelpful but if you haven’t tried YouTube maybe give that a shot? Especially anything 3D I find written patterns confusing even for stitches I already know how to do.

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u/stosphia 12h ago

Math!?! Math!!!?

The only math I do is, how many beads per inch and how many inches I want the piece to be.

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u/Human_Application_90 12h ago

Something to keep in mind is that the beads introduce substantial variables. Each brand has different size dimensions, and coatings (within brand) do as well. If you scroll back a bit, there was a post about a 3D white bird. The maker got unsatisfactory results because they used a different bead brand than the patttern maker. The discussion is interesting, because the pattern creator replied.