How to Make Pony Bead Patterns

You can create your own pony bead patterns by using a simple grid. A grid helps you plan out your design, think about the colors and how many pony beads you will need to create the final product. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a grid to make pony bead patterns.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Pony Bead Design Grid (click here to download). You can use standard square grid paper if you have it on hand, but a rectangular pony bead grid will be more realistic. 
• Graphite Pencil
• Pony Beads in various colors
• Colored pencils, crayons or markers to match bead colors

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sketch Your Design - using a pencil, lightly draw the outline of your design onto the grid. Each rectangle on the grid represents one pony bead. Feel free to experiment with different shapes and designs. 
   
2. Choose Bead Colors - play with different color schemes for your design. It's helpful to have your actual beads on hand to see how different color combos look together.
   
3. Color in Your Grid - use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to fill your grid. Use the included “Project Colors & Notes” page to swatch and label each color with the bead color names that they represent. This will help you keep track of the different colors in your design, especially when creating complex patterns.
   
4. Review Your Pony Bead Pattern & Colors - after you color in the grid, take a look at your design. Does it look the way you imagined? Don't be afraid to try different versions of your design until you like the way it looks.
   
5. Get Ready to Bead - once you are happy with your pattern, make a list of bead colors and count how many beads of each color you will need to make your design.
6. Create your design with beads - In addition to pony beads, you will need a ruler, scissors and string, cord, or wire to weave your pattern with beads. Key rings, lanyard hooks or swivel claps are also great if you want to make key chains or zipper pulls.
   

DOWNLOAD YOUR PONY BEAD DESIGN GRID

Click here for Pony Bead Design Grids to create your own unique patterns and make bracelet cuffs, key chains, banners and other bead crafts.

This download includes:

• two types of grids, an offset grid for brick pattern or peyote stitch and a straight, uniform grid for ladder stitch or using a bead loom. 
• a page for “Project Colors & Notes” to create a color legend and list of bead colors for your project and space for writing notes
  

Each rectangle on the grid represents a single pony bead. Use colored pencils, crayons, or markers to fill in your design with colors that represent bead colors. After you color in your design, you will know how many beads you need to weave your pony bead pattern.