Diamond Matrix Index

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Diamond Matrix Beading Pattern Introduction

Setting up a 3 Bead Diamond Matrix

Rules for Setting Up a Beaded Diamond Matrix

Table of Values

Setting Up a Beaded Diamond Matrix

Planning a Matrix Based Beading Pattern

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   Diamond Matrix Beading Pattern 
        
  A diamond matrix can be used to generate geometric beading patterns for
  openface fingerweaving.
 

  A diamond matrix is created by stringing beads on a selected number of strands.
  In the example, there is a total of 18 blue strands 6 of these strand are 
  carrier strands for the beads. The total number of strands must be a even 
  number and a multiple of the number of beads on each side of the beaded 
  diamonds in the matrix. The example is a 3 bead matrix. To determine which
  strands are the carrier strands, start at the middle. The 2 middle strands are 
  used as carrier strands. When the shed is picked up, the shed divides the 
  stands into two layers. One layer is  worked on a diagonal from the left to 
  the right, the other is worked on a diagonal from the right to the left. In 
  each layer, the third strand from each of the middle carrier strands becomes a
  carrier strand.

3 bead diamond matrix

carrier strands

Setting up a 3 bead diamond matrix
Setting up a 3 bead diamond matrix follows a set of rules. The following graphics will be used to develope and illustrate how to apply these rules.
6 strand 3 bead matrix
	The 6 strand 3 bead matrix has only 2 carrier strands. This is because there is only 1 strand on either side of the middle carrier strand in each layer. [note] The middle carrier strands cross each other before the beaded diamond is made. This is because there is an odd number of strands on either side of the middle.

12 strand 3 bead matrix


  
 The next set of strands that is an even
 number and dividable by 3 is a set of 12
 strands. The 12 strand 3 bead matrix has 
 4 carrier strands. There is only 1 additional
 carrier strand on either side of the middle
 carrier strands This is because in each
 layer there are 3 additional strands on one
 side and 2 additional strands on the other
 side of the middle carrier strand in each
 layer.


	  [note] The middle carrier strands do not cross each other before the first beaded
	 diamond is made. This is because there is an even number of strands on either 
	 side of the middle.

18 strand 3 bead matrix


  
 The next set of strands that is an
 even number and a multiple of 3 is
 a set of 18 strands. The 18 strand 3
 bead matrix has 6 carrier strands.
 There are 2 additional carrier
 strand on either side of the middle
 carrier strands This is because in
 each layer there are more then  3
 additional strands on each side of
 the middle carrier strand in each layer.


	[note] The middle carrier strands cross each other before the first beaded diamond
	is made. This is because there is an odd number of strands on either side
    of the middle.

24 strand 3 bead matrix


  
 The next set of strands 
 that is an even number 
 and a multiple of 3 is 
 a set of 24 strands. 
 The 24 strand 3 bead
 matrix has 8 carrier 
 strands. There are 3
 additional carrier
 strand on either side 
 of the middle carrier
 strands. This is because
 on one side of each 
 layer there are 
 6 strands.  6 is a 
 multiple of 3 three,
 that allows 2 additional
 carrier strands on that
 side. On the other side
 of the layer there are 
 5 additional strands, 
 therefore only one 
 additional carrier 
 strand can be added
 to that the layer.


	  [note] The middle carrier strands do not cross each other before the first beaded
	 diamond is made. This is because there is an even number of strands on either 
	 side of the middle.

Rules for Setting Up a Beaded Diamond Matrix


     
  
  Rule 1; The number of strands in the matrix must be divisible by the
  number of beads on each edge of the beaded diamond.
  Rule 2; The number of strands in the matrix must also be an even number.
  Rule 3; One half the number of strands in the matrix must also be 
  multiple of the number of beads on each edge of the beaded diamond.
  Rule 4; When identifying the carrier strands, the middle two strand are
  the first two carrier strands identified.
  Rule 5; Identify additional carrier strands on either side of the middle 
  carrier strands in each layer of the shed by counting the number of
  strands equal to the number of beads on each edge of the beaded diamond. 
  One additional carrier strand is added for each set of strands equal to
  the number of beads on each side of the beaded diamond.

  [note] If one half the number of strands in the matrix is an odd number,
  the carrier strand will cross before the first beaded diamond starts. If the
  number is an even number the the carrier strand will not cross before 
  the first beaded diamond is made.

Table of Values


   3 Bead Matrix
 #strands #carrier
      6      2
     12      4
     18      6
     24      8
     30     10
     36     12
     42     14
     48     16
     54     18


   4 Bead Matrix
 #strands #carrier
      8      2
     16      4
     24      6
     32      8
     40     10
     48     12
     56     14
     64     16
     72     18


  5 Bead Matrix
 #strands #carrier
      10      2
      20      4
      30      6
      40      8
      50     10
      60     12
      70     14
      80     16
      90     18


  6 Bead Matrix
 #strands #carrier
     12     2
     24     4
     36     6
     48     8
     60    10
     72    12
     84    14
     96    16
    108    18


  7 Bead Matrix
 #strands #carrier
     14    2
     28    4
     42    6
     56    8
     70   10
     84   12
     98   14
    112   16
    126   18

Setting Up a Beaded Diamond Matrix
Setting up several 4 bead diamond matrixs will be used to illustrate how to apply the "rules" and the "table of values".
8 strand 4 bead matrix
	The table "4 Bead Matrix" shows that the smallest number of strands that can be used to set up a 4 bead matrix is set of 8 strand. 8 is a multiple of 4, the number of beads on each side of the beaded diamond. 8 is also an even number. One half of 8 is 4 which is a multiple of 4 the number of beads on each edge of the beaded diamond. The Middle two strands are identified as carrier strands. The table of values indicates only 2 carriervstrands, therefore there are no additional carrier strands. Also, if you count the number of strands in each layer of the shed on either side of the middle carrier strand, you will find the count is less than 4, therefore there are no additional carrier strands.

12 strand 4 bead matrix


  
    
    A set of 12 strands is the next multiple of 4, the number of beads on
    each edge of the beaded diamond and it is an even number but one half 
    12, which is equal to 6, is not a multiple of 4. Therefore, the set of
    12 strands can not be used as a set of strands for a 4 bead matrix.

16 strand 4 bead matrix


  
    
  The table "4 Bead Matrix" shows that the next set of
  strands that can be used as a 4 bead matrix is a set
  of 16 strands.
  
  16 is multiple of 4, the number of beads on each
  side of the beaded diamond. 16 is also an even
  number.
  
  One half of 16 is 8 which is a multiple of 4, the
  number of beads on each edge of the beaded diamond.
  
  The Middle two strands are identified as carrier 
  strands.
  
  The table of values indicates only 4 carrier
  strands, therefore there is one additional carrier 
  strand on each side of the middle carrier strands.
  If you count the number of strands in each layer of
  the shed on either side of the middle carrier 
  strand, you will find  that on one side there are 4 
  strands. 4 is a multiple of 4. Therefore one
  additional carrier strand can be added to that side
  of the shed. The other side of each layer of the
  shed has 3 strands. 3 is less than 4 therefore, no
  additional carrier strands can be added to that
  side of each layer of the shed.

20 strand 4 bead matrix


  
    
    A set of 20 strands is the next multiple of 4, the number of
	beads on each edge of the beaded diamond and it is an even number
	but one half 12, which is equal to 6, 6 is not a multiple of 4. 
	Therefore, the set of 20 strands can not be used as a set of 
	strands for a 4 bead diamond matrix.

24 strand 4 bead matrix


  
  
  The table "4 Bead Matrix" shows that
  the next set of strands that can be
  used as a 4 bead matrix is a set of
  24 strands.
  
  24 is a multiple of 4, the number of
  beads on each side of the beaded 
  diamond. 24 is also an even number.
  
  One half of 24 is 12 which is a 
  multiple of 4, the number of beads 
  on each edge of the beaded diamond.
  
  The Middle two strands are 
  identified as carrier strands.


	The table of values indicates 6 carrier strands, therefore there
  are 2 additional carrier strands on each side of the middle
  carrier strands . If you count the number of strands  in each 
  layer of the shed on either side of the middle carrier strand,
  you will find  that on one side of each layer there are 6 
  strands. 6 contains 1 set of 4. Therefore one additional carrier
  strand can be added to that side of each layer of the shed. The
  other side of each layer of the shed has 5 strands. 5 contains 1
  set of 4. Therefore one additional carrier strand can be added 
  to that side of each layer of the shed.

Planning a Matrix Based Beading Pattern


 The first thing to do is select a set of strands. Use the rules and the table
 of values to decide on the width of the matrix. [note] when using worsted 
 weight yarn 17 strands is about 1 inch of the finish width. This value can 
 vary depending on the brand of yarn used. Using the value of 17 strands per 
 inch a 3 inch wide sash would require about 51 strands. If each border is 
 made up of a set of 8 strands, that leave a set of 35 strands for the 
 body of the sash. If a 3 bead  matrix is to be used you would refer to the
 table of values for a 3 bead  matrix and choose a set of strands that is 
 larger then 35. The set of 36 strands would the closest set.

 Next, on a printed copy of the openface grid, outhline a set of 36 strands.

 Then Identify the carrier strands by tracing over them. This can also be done
 by downloading a copy of the openface grid to a computer and using a graphics
 program.

 When the basic matrix is set up, a beading design can be worked out by  
 marking the location of the beads on the matrix graphic.

Basic 3 Bead Matrix Setup

Basic 3 Bead Matrix Setup With Bead Designe Example

Openface Master Grid

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