Designing bead weaving on square graph paper never quite works: peyote and brick stitch beads sit half a bead out of line. The editor draws the real offset grid, picks the bead you click, and keeps the bead counts and word chart in step with every change.
How it works
- Start a grid or open a file. Choose the size in beads, pick peyote or brick stitch, or open a .cpat or CraftPatterns PDF.
- Add bead colours. Search our generic cylinder bead shades or find the nearest to any colour.
- Draw. Pencil, eraser, fill, picker, lines, rectangles and mirroring, with unlimited undo.
- Export. PDF with offset chart, bead counts, grams and the word chart; PNG, SVG, CSV or .cpat.
Tips for designing peyote and brick stitch
Choose even or odd widths deliberately. Even-count peyote, which the word chart assumes, is the easiest to start; most published peyote cuffs use an even number of beads across. Brick stitch shapes often look best with an odd width so there is a centre bead.
Draw diagonals with the grid, not against it. Because of the half-bead offset, diagonals at one angle are smooth and at the other are stepped. Try both directions with the line tool and keep the smoother one for important edges.
Mirror for earrings. Brick stitch earrings are almost always symmetrical. Turn on left–right mirroring and draw one side; the shape stays balanced and the word chart reads the same from either edge.
Keep an eye on the word chart. The first rows appear under the chart as you draw. If a row becomes a long list of single beads, consider simplifying that area; it will be slow to work.
Count beads before you buy. The key shows beads per colour and an estimated weight. Small amounts of a colour might be easier to swap for one you already have.
When you are ready to bead
Download the PDF and work from Rows 1 & 2, ticking rows off in the stitch tracker so you never lose your place.
What you get
| Sizes | 6–120 beads wide from a photo; editor up to 2,000 × 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Colours | 2–30, matched by CIEDE2000 colour difference |
| Palettes | Generic cylinder beads |
| Downloads | PDF (cover, colour key, numbered chart pages, optional colour pages), PNG, SVG, shopping list CSV, .cpat project |
| Files accepted | JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, AVIF, iPhone HEIC; .cpat and OXS patterns; PDFs made by CraftPatterns |
| Privacy | Runs in your browser. Images are never uploaded. |
| Price | Free — no sign-up, no watermark |
How it compares with other free tools
What you can expect here, every time — no tiers, no trial.
| Free printable PDF | Yes, with no watermark |
|---|---|
| Sign-up needed | No |
| Image uploaded to a server | No — processed on your device |
| Editor | Yes — pencil, fill, line, rectangle, mirror, undo |
| Progress tracker | Yes — free, works offline |
| Switch the same pattern to another craft | Yes — one tap |
Frequently asked questions
Does the editor use a real peyote grid?
Yes. In peyote every other column is half a bead lower; in brick stitch every other row is half a bead to the side. Clicking selects the bead under the pointer on that offset grid.
Can I design earrings with fringe?
You can design the woven part in brick stitch and leave empty areas outside the shape. Fringe strands are usually added freehand, so note them on the printout.
How do I design a symmetrical earring?
Turn on left–right mirroring (H) and draw one half. For matching pairs, the same chart is used twice.
Is there a word chart?
Yes. The first rows appear under the chart while you edit, and the PDF contains the whole word chart.
Is my design saved?
It autosaves to your browser. Download a .cpat backup now and then; the editor reminds you after ten minutes.
Can I turn my design into a loom pattern?
Loom beading uses a square grid. Switch craft to cross stitch or pixel art to see the design on a square grid, then follow it on your loom.
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