Designing for pony beads means thinking in rows: each row is one unbroken run, centred under the one above. The editor draws the grid with tall cells, the shape a pony bead makes in a laced row, and keeps the written row list and cord estimate updated as you draw.
How it works
- Start a blank grid or open an existing pattern.
- Draw with the pencil, fill, line, rectangle and ellipse tools, with mirroring for symmetrical shapes.
- Watch the facts panel. It shows the first rows, the cord estimate and any row with a gap.
- Download the PDF with every row written out, or save a .cpat file to keep working later.
Tips for designing pony bead pieces
Design in odd widths. A shape with an odd number of beads in every row has a true centre bead, which makes centring easy.
Change width by two. When neighbouring rows differ by an even number of beads, the narrower row sits exactly centred; an odd difference shifts it half a bead.
Outline in black. A dark outline row around a shape makes it read clearly at keychain size, just as it does in fuse beads.
Keep it light. Every bead adds weight. Keychains of 100 to 200 beads hang well; larger pieces are better as wall hangings.
What you get
| Sizes | 3–60 beads wide from a photo; editor up to 2,000 × 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Colours | 2–20, matched by CIEDE2000 colour difference |
| Palettes | Generic pony 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
Why does the editor warn me about gaps?
In a laced piece the cord runs through every bead in a row, so an empty square inside a row would close up. The editor lists any row with a gap so you can fill it.
How do I make a symmetrical shape?
Turn on left–right mirroring (H) and draw one half. Symmetrical rows also centre correctly under each other when you lace them.
Can rows be different widths?
Yes. Leave the squares outside the shape empty. Each row is laced as the run of beads between its first and last bead, and centres itself under the row above.
Is my design saved?
It autosaves to your browser. Download a .cpat backup now and then.
Can I turn a fuse bead pattern into a pony bead pattern?
Yes. Open any library pattern in the editor and switch the craft to pony beads; colours are matched to the nearest pony bead shades. Fill any gaps the editor reports before you lace it.
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