Thread: ISO pictures of crochet beaded skirts

There are other options, too! :)

If you don't crochet, need to do it faster, or want to make sleeves from the same beads (bugles, etc.) as your costumes, you have the option of basic net making.

I will now introduce you to the winner of the "least likely belly dance costume instructor" award for several years running now, John Jay Rambo! (applause)

how to make a net - YouTube

If you can get past the camo, the knife, & the scary basement, he shows basic net making 101. You can use his techniques to make hip scarves like in the first attachment (pink and purple with sequins). This one, which by design is for practice only, took < 30 min to make. Tools included 3 chairs (2 to hold the ends of the yarn, 1 to sit in), a crochet hook (to pull the yarn through the sequin), & 2-4 clothes pins to hold the yarn onto the chair backs. Do note that while this net pattern allows stretch, the diamonds of the net & braiding of my "waistband" require that you make the strings 3X longer for the waist and 2X longer for the body, to allow for shrinkage.

The more complicated option uses the same principles of net making, but allows for beads on the threads without crocheting. I need to respect that I took a class on this, so I cannot flat out give you the pattern . . . but, I can share some principles. See 2nd attachment, gold beaded sleeves. For this one, you will be building the net from one side (left side, if you are right handed) to the other. I can tell you that it will be a very good idea to have a piece of cardboard to stabilize, covered with a piece of paper with the diamond pattern on it, & apile of straight pins to hold the net on the cardboard. Measure your upper arm band, & mark increments, one for each strand of beads along the band. (Spacing & strand count will vary based on arm size. My sleeves are a bit full, so I used 12 to 14 strands, to get about a 1" diamond, I think.) You will make the first strand of beads as a straight strand. This will attach to the bottom band of your sleeve, again marked with increments based on your arm size. From experience, you will be better off using a stable fabric for the arm & wrist bands, then covering with prettier fabric & casing elastic underneath. The second strand of beads will join onto the first strand, so both threads go under the large, round bead as the junction point. This means that you will join to every other large bead as you add each strand. Your last strand will be added after you carefully transfer the piece to a cardboard tube (pringles can may work) & use the last strand to join to the first. (I am trying to tell you the pattern without telling you the pattern, so bear with me.) You will do this for a long time. Mine took about 20-30 hrs in the car on roadtrips, with hubby driving, of course.

Now, if I would just get off my duff and perform in the dang things. . .

I am very interested in the crochet pattern & any other options offered!

Could you adapt the idea of a butterfly loom on a larger scale or by assembling panels? I've never tried one, but they create open-weave netting. Welcome to the wonderful world of the Butterfly Loom!, Welcome to the wonderful world of the Butterfly Loom!: Butterfly Whisperer