4 Fun Netting Stitch Techniques You Need To Try

Discover four types of Netting Stitch that you can use to create beautiful beaded jewelry.

Netting Stitch has been around for centuries. In fact, ancient Egyptians used beaded netting to cover mummies. That’s kind of cool and just a little creepy at the same time.

You’ll typically see a bridge of beads added using an odd number of beads e.g. 3, 5, 7. Each new section is created by adding bead segments to the middle of previously added segments. This technique results in open and airy beadwork. The more beads you use in each segment, the looser your weave is.

Any beads can be used for Netting but it’s much easier to use a main color and a contrasting one. The contrasting beads are the ones that are woven into as you progress with your beadwork. These are sometimes referred to as crossover beads.

It’s very easy to transition into this stitch from other bead weaving techniques e.g. Peyote Stitch or Right Angle Weave so you can combine different stitches for a unique piece of jewelry.

In this post, I’ll introduce you to the four different types of beaded Netting techniques.

4 Types of Netting Stitch

1. Flat Netting Stitch

Flat Netting is worked either vertically or horizontally. Vertical Netting is worked up and down, while the horizontal version goes from side to side. There isn’t a huge difference between the two other than the direction the bead holes face.

Here’s a video explaining vertical netting bead stitch vs. the hortizontal version:

2. Circular Netting Stitch

Circular Netting begins with a ring of beads. Rounds of netting are then built off of that foundation. If you want the beadwork to stay flat, you’ll need to make each round a bit bigger than the last.

You can also use this beading technique when making a beaded bezel — a ring of beads that holds a cabochon or Swarovski rivoli in place. In this case, you would need the beadwork to cup around the bead in the center of the beadwork.

3. Tubular Netting

Tubular Netting is a variation of Tubular Peyote Stitch. After you complete each round, you’ll need to step up to add the next one.

This beading technique creates a hollow lacy tube. While the resulting beadwork is beautiful, it will collapse in on itself as there’s nothing holding it open besides your thread tension. You can use a central support to prevent this.

4. Filled Tubular Netting

Instead of being hollow, like regular Tubular Netting, this beadwork is supported by large beads embedded between the netting.

This stitch works up very quickly. You basically alternate rounds of filler beads with rounds of netting to produce a solid beaded rope.

Netting Stitch is a great technique for even beginners to learn as the variations are all pretty simple.