Beaded Lizard Pattern: For Kids or Adults!

Ok -  I admit - I was bored.  How is that possible, you might ask, when I have tons of things to do, projects to make, items to create...... don't know - but I was.   Maybe I was just in a mood, but there it is.  So I started going through some boxes of stuff that needed to be weeded through and low and behold I came across this lizard that Leo and I made on our first (and only) cruise.  Thinking back - I'm not sure why we made it - but we did, and usually it rests on our Holiday tree that contains all the souvenirs of our travels.  Since it's cute - and an easy project to do with kids as well as adults - I thought I'd put together a really good pattern to share with you all.  

You will need:

Beads - any size will work - pony beads are best for kids
Small bead for tail end.
26 gauge colored wire / yarn or string - about 1 yard - whatever you use must be able to pass through the beads multiple times.
wire ring (if you want to make a keychain)

In the diagrams I have color coded each side of the stringing material to make it easier to follow.

Place 1 bead at the halfway point on your stringing material. (This is the nose).

Next, place 2 beads on the string, passing each side of the string through the bead so it comes out the other end. This means you will have 2 pieces of string/wire/yarn inside the bead.

Next, take 1 different colored bead, 1 bead, and 1 bead same color as the first on this row and place on string (This will give you 2 eyes that are the same color). Again, remember to pass both ends of the stringing material through the beads and pull tight gently.

Next place 2 beads that are the same color as the rest of the "head" and pass both ends of the stringing material through them.

For the front legs - string 6 beads on each side. Taking the end of the string, count back 3 beads and pass the string/wire/yarn through the last 3 beads. If done correctly, you will have 2 strings going through the last 3 beads and 1 string going through the "foot"

String 2 beads and pass each string end through to the opposite side. These 2 beads are the beginning of the body.

After you have passed the string through the 2 beads (last instruction above) string 3 beads, passing the wire/yarn/string through. The next row, string 4, then string 4, then another 3 and then 2. This will end the "body" and allow you to immediately begin the back legs.

The body can be done in any pattern or with multiple colored beads. Watch the diagram and note the diamond pattern possibilities.

The back legs are created the same way the front legs were done..

Once you have placed the last 2 beads of the body, you will need to string 5 beads, one at a time, for the tail. As you string each bead, pass the ends of your wire/yarn/string through from each side, causing a wrapping effect on the bead.

After you have strung the final bead, take both ends and pass them through 1 last smaller bead (must be smaller than beads used in body to "plug" the hole.)

If using yarn or string, tie 2-3 knots and trim the excess.

If using wire, wrap the wire tightly around a toothpick. Gently push the wrapped wire off the pick to achieve a "curly" tail look. 

Enjoy your new reptilian friend! 

~ Dani