Sometimes there is a pattern that I have wanted to do for years, and have been a little bit too afraid to start….. this is one of them. David loves Christmas Nutcrackers and our wooden one has pride of place protecting us during December. He has requested many (many) times I make a beaded version, and well it seemed a little daunting….
Over the course of (more than) a few evenings, I was working on a new pattern and it was going badly…. So badly I had had enough and was about to give up. However just before the scissors went to the beadwork I noticed something….. I had beaded what rather looked like a nutcracker nose! …. Hmm…. Maybe, just maybe, it was a sign telling me this beadwork wanted to be a Nutcracker instead. Aapparently that sign was correct because here he is in his finery!
One of the best features about a Nutcracker is they are all so unique. They come in many colours, with different styles of hats and accessories. So, in this pattern I have tried to replicate that.
You will get a pattern for a standard Nutcracker and with 2 alternative hats and 2 alternative arm positions, one holding a staff and one a drum. I have also included 3 different colour combinations, a traditional red, blue and green. A pink, lilac and sparkles and a sumptuous gold and silver one. From these instructions you will be able to mix and match to get your own custom nutcracker between the colour and accessories provided.
In this pattern we give full detailed photographic and graphic instructions, and there are 150 detailed steps, making this pattern even suitable for beginners to beading.
This bead pattern is made using Japanese Miyuki size 11 Delica. Round Peyote stitch is used but full detailed instructions are given, and no previous knowledge of the stitch is required. Please note the pattern may not work with any other size and type of beads.
There are 8-9 delica colours in total for each nutcracker and the bigger nutcracker measures 9.5cm (h) x 3cm (w) x 3.5cm (d).
Also required is 1 x 4mm 24kt Gold Fire Polished, 1 x 4mm, 5 x 3mm Cobalt Fire Polished for the red, green and blue nutcracker. 1 x 6mm Round Preciosa Round, 2 x 4mm 24kt Gold Fire Polished, 1 x 4mm Crystal AB Fire Polished, 7 x 3mm 24kt Gold Fire Polished for the silver and gold nutcracker. 3 x 4mm 24kt Gold Fire Polished, 1 x 4mm Crystal AB Fire Polished, 5 x 3mm Rose AB Round for the lilac and pink nutcracker. All nutcrackers will also need some wadding.
The bead pattern supplied is 70 pages and includes 150 step by step photo and graphic instructions. A word chart is also included.
The Nutcracker - Red Green and Blue Bead Component Pack available at:
https://www.threadabead.com/4519/2/The-Nutcracker--Red-Green-and-Blue-Component-PackThe Nutcracker - Silver and Gold Bead Component Pack available at: https://www.threadabead.com/4518/2/The-Nutcracker--Silver-and-Gold-Component-Pack
The Nutcracker - Lilac and Pink Bead Component Pack available at: https://www.threadabead.com/4517/2/The-Nutcracker-Lilac-and-Pink-Component-Pack