ABOUT BONCUK

Boncuk is an app designed to simplify creating and following beading patterns, an archive of my jewelry designs and patterns, and a blog where I share information and links that I find useful. It is a website that will continuously be developed.

Boncuk,

simplifies following beading patterns

The starting point of this project was to make it easier to follow peyote patterns and to indicate which color beads will be used in each row both visually and with word charts.

Other techniques and topics were added over time.

allows you to keep the pattern the same way you work

I realized that in flat peyote and square stitch, I kept the beadwork in my hand horizontally and worked from bottom to top, turning it in each row. But the patterns I followed were mostly vertical. Then the question came to my mind: what do left-handed people do, how do they follow patterns?

lets you choose your own color palette

I wanted a solution to the difficulty I had when I liked the pattern I saw on the internet or from a friend and wanted to apply it with different colors. Forgetting to use the right color while following the pattern from the photo or realizing halfway through the work that it didn’t actually look good with those colors reminded me that I don't like to undo my work.

gives the approximate dimensions of the pattern

When I started with the pattern I liked, I didn't want to end the pattern in an awkward place or have to lengthen one side in a different way because I couldn't estimate right length.

lets you encode colors with letters of your choice

In order not to confuse the letters when using the word chart, one solution is to work at a very tidy table and put the beads in order. I wished there were a solution for non-organised beaders like me to represent the beads with the letters of the actual color and not A-B-C; we wouldn't make mistakes then.

lets you easily design your patterns on any device

As for designing patterns... There are many programs for pattern design (I've used some of them), but most are a bit too detailed. I wanted a very simple design tool that could be used anywhere and on any device, without having to install it on a computer, and with the ease of designing a pattern with only three or four buttons and easily following my own patterns.

These were the issues I was looking for solutions to in the beginning. This project came about when I combined bead and jewelry design, which I started by chance and loved very much, with web design and coding, which I also started to learn during the pandemic and loved very much. My goal is to complete the missing technique in the application (huichol) as soon as possible and to multiply the patterns and projects on the site.

I will try to find methods and information that will help beaders and add them to the site; I look forward to your comments, suggestions and contributions.

WEB APPLICATION USER MANUAL

GENERAL INFORMATION

To use Boncuk App, JavaScript must be enabled in your browser.

The data for the patterns you select or design are stored on your browser's 'session storage' and 'local storage'. Since each new work you save will overwrite the old one in local storage, I recommend saving the patterns and colors you want to keep in pdf format.

Using the current version of your browser will prevent you from having problems with the website and application. If you are having problems even after updating the browser, please take a screenshot and send it to me.

NOTE: I am open to your support and suggestions regarding the application and website.

BONCUK APP

You can use the App in three ways

home page
  1. Working with one of my patterns
  2. Designing your own patterns
  3. Continuing your saved work
A B C

WORKING WITH READY-MADE PATTERNS

Click on 'Find a pattern' on the homepage

A1- SELECT A PATTERN

You can view the patterns from the gallery and click on the picture to go to the page of the pattern you want.

The features you can change are indicated on the pattern page.

pattern card info

Each pattern card shows the technique used, the number of columns (if it is a flat pattern) and how many colors of beads are needed.

In the gallery you can filter the patterns according to their stitch type. Click on the name of the active stitch type again to remove the filter.

pattern stitch types

When you have decided, click the 'Edit and Stitch' button on the patterns page

A2- EDITING DIMENSIONS AND COLORS

When you choose a ready-made pattern, the number of columns and (except square stitch or loom patterns) stitch type remain fixed. You can change other inputs on the form.

Select the stitch type

Square Stitch and Loom techniques have the same grid pattern, but how you work and how you read the pattern differs. Word chart will be created according to your choice.

Select the bead type you want to use

The size of the pattern will change according to the type of bead you choose, when you change the bead type, check the dimensions and change the number of rows until you get the size you want.

Enter the number of rows according to your desired pattern size

You can change the number of rows up to a certain limit (the application will give a warning when the limit is exceeded).

Choose your bead colors

When you select a ready-made pattern, the number of colors remains fixed, but you can change the colors of the pattern. When you click on the color box you want to change, the color selection palette of your browser/device will open and you can choose your bead colors from there.

pattern edit form
zoom buttons

The pattern will change according to the selections you make in the form. You can enlarge the pattern to see it in detail, and if the colors you are using do not look suitable on the existing background, you can change the background color by clicking on the round background button.

Once you have completed your selections, click the 'Save and Stitch' button for the next step. The application will save the pattern properties locally in your browser. This pattern's information is stored in the browser until you delete the local storage or save a new pattern. If you want to close the page and continue at another time, you can click on the 'Go to My Saved Pattern' bar at the top of the home page to access the pattern you just edited.

A3- CHOOSE YOUR BEAD LABELS AND WORKING DIRECTIONS

Bead Colors

The application will give you the bead colors and quantities (in pieces and approximate grams) that you will use in the pattern you are editing. You can change the bead labels to make it easier to keep track of the pattern.

You can click on the letter and rename it, with a maximum of two characters, (e.g. W for white, Be for beige etc.).

pattern colors

Pattern Direction

Select your pattern reading directions

Choose the direction of pattern reading that works best for you. Think about how you hold the beadwork and which hand you use when working. Since the pattern information is stored in the browser, you can change the orientation by refreshing the page

For flat peyote and square stitch patterns:

Choose the direction and starting point of the pattern and decide whether the pattern should be turned in each row (if you turn your work each time, you may want to read the pattern in the same direction).

For triangle and circular patterns:

Choose between clockwise or counterclockwise beading directions

Click the start button.

A4- BEADWORK

Pick up the beads of the first row of the pattern (first two rows for flat peyote) in the direction of the arrow, then press the forward key to move to the next row.

You can follow the stop bead to avoid confusing the directions.

When you click on the row number, you can read the word chart of the current row. Click on the number again to close it.

beading screen

For those who have not used word charts before, it is a very practical pattern tracking method, especially since it is difficult to follow similar colors on the screen and count the colors each time.

In the example, one bead of color D, 1 bead of color C, and 2 beads of color A are added in the 12th row.

If the bead colors of the pattern contrasts poorly with the existing background, you can change the background color by clicking on the round background button on the bottom right of the screen.

Each time you press the forward and back buttons, the current row will be saved in your browser. After selecting your directions and beginning the stitching, you can continue to use it offline. If you close the page without completing the pattern, the application will remind you of the row you left off when you return to the pattern by clicking the 'Go to My Saved Pattern' bar on the homepage. If you confirm the alert, you can continue from the row you left off after choosing your working directions. If you cancel it, you can reuse the pattern by changing its colors.

A5- STORING THE PATTERN

Once the pattern is complete, the application will ask you if you want to print the pattern and the colors you used. Without waiting to complete the pattern, you can open the print section of your browser while on the beadwork page and print or save it as a PDF.

If you want to use the same colors in another pattern in the future, you can enter the HEX codes in the color selection palette.

DESIGNING A PATTERN

Click on 'Design yourself' on the homepage

B1- FILLING THE FORM

Select a stitch type

At the moment it is not possible to select all the techniques displayed on the form. They will be added at a later date.

Select a bead type

The width and length of the pattern will change depending on the bead type you choose. When you change the bead type, check the pattern size and change the number of rows until you reach the size you want.

Enter the number of columns

For flat peyote and square stitch patterns, you can specify the number of columns up to a certain limit (the application will warn you when the limit is exceeded).

Enter the number of rows

You can change the number of rows up to a certain limit (the application will give a warning when the limit is exceeded).

Choose the bead colors

Enter the number of colors you want to use and press 'Choose your colors'. When you click on the boxes that appear, the color selection palette of your browser/device will open and you can choose your bead colors. You cannot add colors to the pattern later. If you are not sure about the number, you can keep the color palette wide at first; In the next stage, only the colors you used in the design will be saved.

new pattern form

After filling the form, click the 'Begin To Design' button for the next step.

B2- DESIGNING THE PATTERN

pattern design screen

Select the color you want to use by clicking on it

Fill the beads in the pattern by selecting the paint bucket or pen tool. (All beads must be filled)

To use the symmetry feature for triangular and circular peyote techniques, click the Symmetry button to activate it. Click the button again to deactivate the feature.

You can undo and redo the steps you made or paint over it with a different color.

The application allows undo the fillings up to a certain limit

After the pattern design is finished, press the 'Save and Stitch' button to save the pattern and start beading. The application will save the pattern properties locally in your browser. The information of this pattern is stored in the browser until you delete the local storage or save a new pattern. If you want to continue at another time, you can click on the 'Go to My Saved Pattern' bar at the top of the homepage to access the pattern you have edited and change the colors you have chosen if you wish.

After this step, it is the same like 'working with a ready-made pattern'.

B3- CHOOSE YOUR BEAD LABELS AND WORKING DIRECTIONS

Bead Colors

The application will give you the bead colors and quantities (in pieces and approximate grams) that you will use in the pattern you are editing. You can change the bead labels to make it easier to keep track of the pattern.

You can click on the letter and rename it, with a maximum of two characters, (e.g. W for white, Be for beige etc.).

pattern colors

Pattern Direction

Select your pattern reading directions

Choose the direction of pattern reading that works best for you. Think about how you hold the beadwork and which hand you use when working. Since the pattern information is stored in the browser, you can change the orientation by refreshing the page

For flat peyote and square stitch patterns:

Choose the direction and starting point of the pattern and decide whether the pattern should be turned in each row (if you turn your work each time, you may want to read the pattern in the same direction).

For triangle and circular patterns:

Choose between clockwise or counterclockwise beading directions

Click the start button.

B4- BEADWORK

Pick up the beads of the first row of the pattern (first two rows for flat peyote) in the direction of the arrow, then press the forward key to move to the next row.

You can follow the stop bead to avoid confusing the directions.

When you click on the row number, you can read the word chart of the current row. Click on the number again to close it.

beading screen

For those who have not used word charts before, it is a very practical pattern tracking method, especially since it is difficult to follow similar colors on the screen and count the colors each time.

In the example, one bead of color D, 1 bead of color C, and 2 beads of color A are added in the 12th row.

If the bead colors of the pattern contrasts poorly with the existing background, you can change the background color by clicking on the round background button on the bottom right of the screen.

Each time you press the forward and back buttons, the current row will be saved in your browser. After selecting your directions and beginning the stitching, you can continue to use it offline. If you close the page without completing the pattern, the application will remind you of the row you left off when you return to the pattern by clicking the 'Go to My Saved Pattern' bar on the homepage. If you confirm the alert, you can continue from the row you left off after choosing your working directions. If you cancel it, you can reuse the pattern by changing its colors.

B5- STORING THE PATTERN

Once the pattern is complete, the application will ask you if you want to print the pattern and the colors you used. Without waiting to complete the pattern, you can open the print section of your browser while on the beadwork page and print or save it as a PDF.

If you want to use the same colors in another pattern in the future, you can enter the HEX codes in the color selection palette.

CONTINUE WITH SAVED PATTERN

Click on 'Go To My Saved Pattern' on the homepage

CONTINUING THE BEADWORK WHERE YOU LEFT

If you began and left the beadwork unfinished before, the application will remind you of the row you left off and ask if you want to continue. If you confirm, you will be directed to the pattern reading directions step, and after choosing your orientation and direction (you can change your selections and word chart bead labels if you want), you can continue where you left off.

STARTING THE BEADWORK FROM THE BEGINNING

If you have not left your pattern unfinished or do not approve the continuation warning, you will be directed to the 'My Pattern' form. You can change the pattern colors or continue with existing colors. When you press the 'Save and Stitch' button, the pattern colors in the local storage will be updated (if you have changed them, you cannot go back to your old colors) and you will proceed to the pattern directions step. After making your selections, you can start beading from the first row by clicking the 'Start' button.

The rest is the same as 'Working with ready-made patterns'

© 2024-2025 Boncuk - Arzu Kireçtepe Hirsch