Print out or open the beaded lizard pattern in a separate window and follow along with these step by step instructions.
Choosing Beads for a Beaded Lizard
The type of beads and type of string or cord you choose for your beaded lizard will determine the size and finished look—and also the suitable age group. Largely rounded beads, such as pony beads, work well for young crafters who are just getting familiar with stringing or get frustrated easily. They also work well for older crafters who have trouble seeing the small holes of other beads. Perler beads, also called fuse beads, are a less traditional choice for this craft, but many camps, schools or parents have buckets full of them, so they are worth giving a try. They also come in the best assortment of colors. They are slightly smaller than pony beads with a shape that’s similar to Japanese cylinder beads but on a much larger scale. Another less traditional choice, but the one used for this example, is size 6 glass beads, also called E beads. They are smaller than the other two options and come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. These beads are a great inexpensive option and give more satisfaction for a slightly more experienced crafter—and may even make older children want to craft with their younger siblings.
Gather Your Materials
For each beaded lizard, you will need at least one to two yards of bead cord. The cord must easily fit through the bead twice. One yard of the cord is suitable if you are using small beads. More cord is required with larger Pony beads. In addition, you will need small amounts (less than thirty) of two colors of beads and two more beads of a different color for the lizard eyes.
Start Stringing Beads in the Middle
Unlike most projects, the beaded lizard begins in the middle of the thread or cord. Pick up one bead and slide it to the center, so you have two equal lengths of cord on either side.
Put Both Cord Ends Through the Beads
Pick up the first two beads of the second row on one side of the thread. Keep them toward the thread end. Now pick up the other thread end and go through the beads in the opposite direction. The beads should look like the picture, with the thread going in each side of the beads and the opposite thread ends coming out the side of the beads.
Add the Second Row of Bead
Pull the thread ends to slide the two beads to the center. They should stack neatly on the first bead. Make sure your beads remain centered by comparing the tail lengths and adjust as necessary. Adding the rest of the rows of beads for the body and tail are done the same way. Making the lizard legs is slightly different.
Starting the Lizard Legs
You will use the cord from each side to make each of the lizard legs. The right cord will make the right leg, the left cord will be used to make the left leg. Pick up two beads of the first color and three beads of the second color for each leg.
Making the Lizard Legs
Skipping the last three beads, put your cord back through the two beads. Make sure you pull the bead tight and slide the beads close to the body. Arrange the three beads that make up the foot into a triangle.
Continue Adding Beads
Continue the body of the lizard the same way you started in the beginning, by picking up the correct number of beads and placing the cord from the other side through the beads in the opposite direction. Repeat the instructions above for the back legs of the lizard.
Add a Tail and Knot the Thread
Add one bead at a time to make the lizard tail. When you are done, you can knot your threads using either a square knot or an overhand knot. We recommend an overhand knot because we think it stays tight better.
Slide the Overhand Knot Close to the Beads
To slide an overhand knot close to the beads, insert a piece of wire or another pointy object into the knot to help slide it into place. This will keep the knot slightly unfastened so you can manipulate it into place before removing the wire and tightening the knot for good.
Add a Keyring to Finish
Add a keyring between the two cords and tie another square or overhand knot to secure it in place. We used a large jump ring to hold the key, held in place by another overhand knot. Add your key and you are ready to go. There are many other bead critters that can be made using this same technique. Search for pony bead patterns or try Margo’s Beadie Critters to find more.
Beaded Lizards
Here is the same beaded lizard pattern made with size 6 E beads and one made with Perler beads.
