Right-angle weave

Right-angle weave stitch, also known as RAW, is an off-loom bead weaving technique. Beads are stitched together with thread only making right angle turns, hence the name. The result is an almost fabric like piece of beadwork. Right-angle weave can be woven with either one needle or two.^[1] With single needle right-angle weave, the thread path moves in a figure-eight pattern. For double needle right-angle weave, the threads cross each other along the center bead of each stitch as they head in opposite directions. RAW can be formed into flat pieces, tubes, or 3 dimensional figures. There are also variations on the basic stitch like cubic right angle weave (CRAW) and prismatic right angle weave (PRAW).^[2] Seed beads, fire polished beads and crystal beads are common choices in pieces using right-angle weave.

A three-dimensional Ganesha figure from beads made using right-angle weave stitch.

History

RAW is said to have originated somewhere in Africa, but examples can be found in beadwork from many cultures, including Philippines, New Guinea and England.^[3][4]

Use

Bead artists are known to use right-angle weave stitch to cover three-dimensional forms, such as vases, beads and other objects.^[5]

See also

• Brick stitch
• Square stitch
• Peyote stitch