Christmas ornaments you can make yourself
In this blog post, we show you how you can use thread and a handful of beads to make the most beautiful Christmas baubles to hang on the Christmas tree, in the window or wherever you want to welcome Christmas. Use some of your leftover beads in a creative and simple way and delight your loved ones with an original and personalised gift.
See also the related blog post DIY Crystal Balls.
These sparkling Christmas baubles are made with square acrylic beads 8x8x8mm. The finished bauble has a diameter of 6cm.
In the step-by-step instructions, we use blue-coloured jade beads and black thread so that the beads and thread stand out clearly in the pictures.
For 1 Christmas bauble, you need 120 beads + 2.5m transparent nylon thread 0.5mm.
The bauble is constructed in circles:
You start with 5 beads in the 1st circle.
The 1st round consists of 5 circles with 6 beads each.
The 2nd round consists of 10 circles that alternate between 6 and 5 beads.
The 3rd round consists of 10 circles with 6 beads each.
The 4th round consists of 10 circles that alternate between 6 and 5 beads.
The 5th round consists of 5 circles with 6 beads each.
Thread 5 beads and place them in the centre of the thread. Pass the right-hand thread through the 1st bead in the opposite direction. 
Tighten the thread so the 5 beads form a circle.
Now you sew the 1st round.
It consists of 5 circles with 6 beads each.
String 5 beads onto the thread on the left.
Pass the right thread in the opposite direction through the last of the 5 beads.
From now on, we will call this "to close the circle".
Tighten the thread. The 1st circle in the 1st round is done. It consists of 6 beads.
Pass the right thread through 1 bead on the right (see image).
From now on, we will call this "to move on through 1 bead".
String 4 beads onto the thread on the left.
Close the circle.
Move on through 1 bead.
Make the next 2 circles in the same way.
Now you make the last circle of the 1st round.
Move on through 2 beads (see picture).
String 3 beads onto the thread on the left.
Close the circle and move on through 1 bead.
Now you sew the 2nd round.
It consists of 10 circles that alternate between 6 and 5 beads.
You move on alternating between 1 bead and 2 beads.
String 4 beads onto the thread on the left.
Close the circle and move on through 1 bead.
String 3 beads and close the circle.
Move on through 2 beads.
Start the next circle by threading 3 beads ... close the circle ... and move on through 1 bead.
Continue in the same way all the way round.
In the picture you see the 3 beads in the second last circle.
Move on through 2 beads ... and string 2 beads onto the thread on the left.
Close the circle and mone on through 1 bead.
Now you sew the 3rd round.
It consists of 10 circles with 6 beads each.
String 4 beads onto the thread on the left.
Close the circle ... move on through 2 beads ... and string 3 beads.
Continue all the way round ... stringing 3 beads and moving on through 2 beads in every circle.
When you are about to start the last circle, you move on through 3 beads ... and thread 2 beads.
Close the circle ... and move on through 1 bead.
Now you sew the 4th round.
It consists of 10 circles that alternate between 6 and 5 beads.
You move on through 2 beads.
String 3 beads ...
... close the circle ... and move on through 2 beads.
String 3 beads ... and close the circle.
This is the 2nd circle. Continue all the way round making circles with 5 and 6 beads in each, respectively.
Remember to move on through 2 beads every time.
When you are about to make the last circle, you move on through 3 beads.
String 2 beads ... and close the circle.
Move on through 2 beads.
Now you sew the 5th round.
It consists of 5 circles with 6 beads each.
You move on through 2 beads.
String 3 beads ...
... close the circkle ... and move on through 3 beads.
String 2 beads ...
... close the circle ... move on through 3 beads ... string 2 beads.
Make the next 2 circles in the same way.
Before you make the 5th and final circle, you move on through 4 beads.
Now there are 5 beads on the thread.
String 1 bead ...
... and close the circle.
The red dots mark the last circle in round 5. It consists of 6 beads.
Pass the right thread through the 4 beads marked with yellow dots... so that the ends of the thread meet...
Tie a double knot ... pass the thread ends through 2-3 random beads ... and apply a bit of glue to the knot.
Cut off the excess thread.
Your bauble is now complete.
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