Beaded Hat Brim: Adding Deadliness To Your Style

Beading the brim of a hat is a great way to add a touch of personality and flair. Here's what you'll need to get started:

Materials:

- Hat with a brim

- Size 10 or 12 beading needle (depending on bead size)

- Beading thread (color to match your beads or disappear against the hat)

- Beads (size 11/0 or 13/0 are common choices)

- Scissors

Optional: Bead mat, thread conditioner, awl

Instructions:

1. Prepare your thread: Cut a length of beading thread about 12 feet long. Thread a needle, hold both ends of the thread, tie a secure knot at the end.

2. Find your starting point: Decide where you want the beadwork to begin on the brim. A common option is to start in the middle and work outwards to each side.

3. Decide on your stitch: There are a couple of popular stitches for beading a hat brim. Here are two options:

- Wrap Stitch: This is a simple and versatile stitch. Push your needle up from underneath the brim to hide the knot. Pick up a bead and then insert the needle back down through the brim, encasing the bead around the edge. Repeat, picking up another bead and stitching back down through a new spot on the brim next to the first bead.

- Peyote Stitch: This stitch creates a more defined edge. There are variations, but generally you'll be stitching through multiple beads at a time to create a square pattern. You can find a good peyote stitch hat brim tutorial by searching online.

4. Continue stitching: Whichever stitch you choose, keep going around the brim of the hat, adding beads one bead, or line, at a time. Be sure to keep your stitches consistent for a neat look.

5. Adjusting for fit: As you work your way around the brim, you might need to adjust the number of beads per round to ensure a smooth curve. Try the hat on periodically to check the fit and make adjustments as needed.

6. Finishing Up: Once you've completed a full round or reached your desired stopping point, tie a knot and weave the end of the thread back into the beadwork to hide it. You can use a dab of glue to secure the knot if needed or burn your ends.

Tips:

- Use a bead mat to catch any dropped beads and make your work easier.

- A cedar plank makes a nice pin cushion if you choose to use an awl.

- Thread conditioner can help prevent your thread from fraying.

- If you're a beginner, start with a simple design using minimal colors. Once you're comfortable, you can experiment with more complex patterns and color combinations.

- Be patient! Beading a hat brim can take some time, but the finished product will be worth it.