Necklaces and Pattern for the Winnebago Design

These are daisy chain necklaces that are arranged in what is called the Winnebago pattern. I found this pattern in Horace Goodhue's book, "Indian Bead-Weaving Patterns: Chain-Weaving Designs and Bead Loom Weaving-An llustrated 'How-To' Guide". Below you will find the pattern so you can try it out. I love to make daisy chains whenever I want to play with some new colors, or when I need a quick and easy project to get me out of a "don't know what to work on next" slump. These make such nice casual necklaces and are great inexpensive gifts.

I do all of my daisy chains in the 3-2 style, which keeps the center bead from poking out. Hmmm, perhaps I should backup a bit and tell you that there are several ways to do daisy chains, and the numbers I mention note how many beads are used before you "pass-thru" a bead to connect them. I will show you a couple different ways here. First I will go over how to do a daisy chain in 2 colors, then I will show you the pattern for the Winnebago and you can use whichever technique works better for you. For both of these, you are holding your work in your left hand and moving from left to right. Sorry lefties! For both of these methods, I will show you the thread like it is going through see-thru beads so that you can better tell what to do.

Here is the 4-1 Daisy Chain method. For the Base (first) daisy/circle, you start with a string of 6 beads in the main/petal color, then you tie your beads into a knotted circle. Now pick up one bead in the center color and pass-thru the upper right hand corner. For each daisy/circle thereafter, string 4 beads in the main/petal color and pass-thru the lower left-hand corner bead, pick up the center color and pass-thru the upper right-hand corner bead. Be sure to note which direction the needle and thread are passing thru the beads. Here is how it will look:

With the 3-2 method (which I use) you don't even have to use a knot if you leave enough for a tail and are careful about keeping good tension. Pick up 4 beads of the main/petal color and 1 bead of the center color, then pass-thru the first bead going in the opposite direction. Now pick up 2 more of the main/petal color and pass-thru the upper right-hand bead. For each daisy/circle thereafter, string 2 of the main/petal color and 1 of the center color, pass-thru the lower left-hand corner bead, then pickup 2 of the main/petal color and pass-thru the upper right-hand corner bead. Here is how it will look:

Now here is the pattern for the Winnebago design. It is just like the one in the scan on this page.

Because I don't work well with diagrams, I like to write out notes to help me memorize a repeating pattern. Perhaps this will help you too. In the notes, T=pass-thru a bead. By this time; you should know which bead it is . This is written out for the 3-2 method.

Base row: 4 Red, 1 White, T, 2 Red, T
1	2 Black, 1 Red, T, 2 Black, T
2	2 White, 1 Black, T, 2 White, T
3	2 White, 1 Black, T, 2 White, T
4	1 White, 2 Black, T, 1 White, 1 Black, T
5	1 Black, 2 Red, T, 1 Black, 1 Red, T
6	2 Red, 1 White, T, 2 Red, T

You repeat rows 1 through 6 until you have the desired length. Repeat a bit more to finish off the pattern, then following the pattern, weave the two ends together so that there is a seamless finish.

I hope you like this beadwork, please let me know your thoughts by Signing My Guestbook or by sending me an e-mail.

In Love, Light & Healing...
Rev. Susan H. Aguirre

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