Intermediate
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Accessories 18 Laid out for paper No account, no download
Ocean wave beaded anklet with sea creature charms
Beaded single crochet anklet, 120 rows on a size 8 steel hook, with jellyfish, whale, seahorse and starfish charms.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 6-8 hours
- Yarn weight
- Size 10 Crochet Thread
- Hook
- 2 mm
- Rounds
- 18
Size 10 Crochet Thread
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
18
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This anklet is built as a single strip of bead single crochet, 12 stitches wide and 120 rows long, worked in Color B thread with beads locked into every stitch to form a solid gradient band of blue and teal. Four small charms, a crocheted jellyfish, whale, and seahorse plus a metal starfish, are worked or sourced separately and sewn onto the finished band at marked scallop positions along the lower edge. Before picking up the hook, have all six bead colors pre-strung onto the thread in reverse order, since the last bead to appear goes on first.
The finished piece measures approximately 9 inches around, fitting a standard adult ankle of 8 to 9 inches comfortably. The longest charm, the jellyfish with its beaded tentacles, hangs about 1.5 inches below the band, for a total drop of roughly 2.25 inches from the top of the band to the bottom of the tentacles.
The gradient flows from cobalt blue across the left third of the band, through medium teal in the center, to aqua across the right third, with silver-lined crystal beads adding sparkle highlights through the center section. This is an intermediate to advanced project that requires comfort pre-stringing beads and working tight, consistent slip stitches; if you've done bead crochet tubes or flat panels before you're ready, and first-timers should take extra time with the bead slip stitch technique.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Stringing beads in forward order
- Re-string the entire sequence in reverse before starting, since the last bead strung is the first to appear at the hook.
- Beads twisting instead of lying flat
- Loosen tension slightly so each bead settles perpendicular to the thread rather than pulling to one side.
- Attaching a charm at the wrong scallop
- Count scallop positions from the left end of the band before threading the needle through, since positions 5, 15, 22, and 32 are not evenly spaced.
The materials list
- You’ll need size 10 crochet cotton thread in four colors:
- Color A (Cobalt Blue): 15 yards
- Color B (Medium Teal): 15 yards
- Color C (Aqua/Turquoise): 15 yards
- Color D (White): 5 yards for edging and assembly
- Recommended threads: Aunt Lydia's Classic Crochet Thread Size 10 for its smooth finish and consistent thickness, or DMC Cebelia Crochet Cotton Size 10 for a slight sheen that complements the metallic seed beads.
- Whatever you choose, avoid fuzzy or loosely plied threads. They’ll catch on your beads during stringing and make placement inconsistent.
- Use size 11/0 Japanese seed beads (approximately 2mm diameter):
- Color 1 (Cobalt Blue): 150 beads
- Color 2 (Medium Teal): 200 beads
- Color 3 (Aqua Turquoise): 250 beads
- Color 4 (White): 80 beads for edging
- Color 5 (Dark Navy Blue): 50 beads for whale charm accent
- Color 6 (Silver-lined Crystal): 30 beads for wave highlights
- Size 8 (1.5 mm) steel crochet hook
- Size 10 or 12 beading needle (must fit through size 11/0 beads twice)
- 1 silver metal starfish charm (approximately 0.5 inch across with a top jump ring)
- 1 large seed bead or 4mm round bead in cobalt blue for the closure button
- Small scissors
- Beeswax or thread conditioner
- Beading tray for organization
- Tapestry needle
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 12 short forms
Foundation Chain
Understanding the bead slip stitch (bsc), also called strung-bead crochet or Native American bead crochet. Step by step: slide one bead along the thread until it sits snugly at the base of your working loop, right at the hook; insert hook into the next stitch; with the bead positioned between the hook and your work, yarn over; draw the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion so the bead locks into the front face; one bead slip stitch is complete, with one bead visible on the right side of your work. Keep tension firm but not so tight that beads distort — they should lie flat and perpendicular to the thread, covering the foundation completely.
Pre-stringing: all beads must be pre-strung onto your thread in reverse order before you begin — the last bead you want to appear goes onto the thread first. The main band is 12 stitches wide and 120 rows long, 12 beads per row times 120 rows, equalling 1,440 beads for the main band alone. Color placement per row (12 beads, positions 1 through 12 from left to right): for Rows 1 through 40 and Rows 81 through 120, positions 1 to 4 are Cobalt Blue (Color 1), positions 5 to 8 are Medium Teal (Color 2), and positions 9 to 12 are Aqua Turquoise (Color 3). For Rows 41 through 80 (the center section with the diagonal wave effect), positions 1 to 2 are Cobalt Blue (Color 1), positions 3 to 5 are Silver-lined Crystal (Color 6), positions 6 to 8 are Medium Teal (Color 2), and positions 9 to 12 are Aqua Turquoise (Color 3). String beads in reverse order per row: position 12 goes on first, position 1 goes on last, so when you crochet from left to right the beads emerge correctly.
Using Color B medium teal thread with your beads pre-strung, and your size 8 steel hook: Foundation: Ch 14.
Working into the back bumps of your foundation chain:
Round 1
(RS): Skip first ch, work 1 bsc into each of the next 12 ch, sl st into last ch to anchor. Turn. (12 bsc, 12 beads placed)Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch), turn. Work 1 bsc into each of 12 sts across. Turn. (12 bsc)Rows 3 through 120: Repeat Row 2. (12 bsc per row throughout) After completing Row 120, your main band should measure approximately 9 inches long and 0.75 inch wide. It should lie flat. If it’s curling, your tension may be too tight. Block lightly with steam before continuing.Do not fasten off. Proceed to the white edging.
White Bead Edging
Upper Edge Pass: Pre-string 42 white seed beads onto Color D white thread.
Upper Edge Pass
With RS facing, join Color D thread with a slip stitch at the upper right corner of your band. Work 1 bsc into each row end along the upper long edge. That’s 120 bsc along the length. At the end corner, work 1 sl st to anchor. Fasten off and weave in ends. (120 bsc along upper edge)
Lower Edge Pass: Pre-string 42 more white seed beads onto a fresh length of Color D thread.
Lower Edge Pass
Join Color D thread at the lower right corner. Work 1 bsc into each row end along the lower long edge, placing 1 white bead per row end, for 120 bsc. Fasten off and weave in ends. (120 bsc along lower edge)
Your band should now have a clean white bead border along both long edges.
Scallop Lower Edge
Using Color C aqua thread (no beads for this pass), join thread at the far left lower corner.
Scallop Pass
(Sl st into next st, ch 3, 3 dc into same st, ch 3, sl st into same st, skip 2 sts) repeat across. Work the final scallop into the last available stitch, then sl st to the corner to anchor. Fasten off.
The lower edge has 120 stitches. Each scallop repeat consumes 3 stitches. 120 divided by 3 equals 40 scallops exactly. (40 scallops) You should now have 40 raised scallop points along the lower edge, creating that beautiful undulating wave silhouette.
Closure
Pre-string 8 white beads (Color 4) onto Color D thread. Join Color D thread at the end of the last row on the right short end of the band.
Closure Loop
Ch 8 (with 1 bead slid up per chain, working 8 bsc), then sl st back to the base of the ch-8 to close the loop. (8-bead loop) Fasten off and weave in end securely.
Closure Button
At the left short end, use Color D thread to sew the large cobalt blue 4mm button bead firmly to the center of the end row. Knot securely and weave in all ends.
Jellyfish Charm
Use Color C aqua thread with Color 3 aqua turquoise beads.
Foundation ring: Ch 6, sl st to first ch to form ring.
Round 1
Ch 1, work 8 bsc evenly around ring. Sl st to first bsc to join. (8 bsc)
Round 2
Ch 1, work 2 bsc in each st around. Sl st to join. (16 bsc)
Round 3
Ch 1, (1 bsc in next st, 2 bsc in next st) around. Sl st to join. (24 bsc)
Round 4
Ch 1, (1 bsc in each of next 2 sts, 2 bsc in next st) around. Sl st to join. (32 bsc)
Round 5
Ch 1, 1 bsc in each st around. Sl st to join. (32 bsc)
Round 6
Ch 1, (1 bsc in each of next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts) around. Sl st to join. (24 sts)
Round 7
Ch 1, (1 bsc in next st, sc2tog) around. Sl st to join. (16 sts)
Round 8
Ch 1, (sc2tog) around. Sl st to join. (8 sts) Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread tail through remaining 8 sts and pull snug to close. Knot firmly.
Whale Charm
Use Cobalt Blue (Color 1) and Dark Navy Blue (Color 5) beads on Color A cobalt blue thread.
Foundation: Ch 8.
Row 1 (body base): Sk 1 ch, work 1 bsc into each of next 6 ch. Turn. (6 bsc, all Color 1 beads)
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 6 sts. Turn. (6 bsc, all Color 1)
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 6 sts. Turn. (6 bsc, beads: positions 1 to 2 Color 5, positions 3 to 6 Color 1)
Row 4: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 6 sts. Turn. (6 bsc, all Color 1)
Round 5
Ch 1, sl st across first st without a bead (decrease), 1 bsc in each of next 4 sts, sl st last st without bead (decrease). Turn. (4 bsc, all Color 1)Row 6: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 4 sts. Turn. (4 bsc, all Color 1)Row 7 (tail split, left fluke): Ch 1, 1 bsc in first 2 sts only. Turn. (2 bsc, Color 1)Row 8 (left fluke tip): Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 2 sts. Fasten off. (2 bsc) Return to Row 6 remaining stitches. Re-join thread at stitch 3 of Row 6.Row 7 (right fluke): 1 bsc in each of remaining 2 sts. Turn. (2 bsc)Row 8 (right fluke tip): Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 2 sts. Fasten off. (2 bsc) Use a tapestry needle to add a Color 5 navy bead as the eye by threading through the charm at Row 3, position 2. Knot firmly and weave in all ends.
Seahorse Charm
Use Color C aqua thread with Color 2 medium teal beads and Color 3 aqua beads.
Foundation: Ch 5.
Row 1: Sk 1 ch, 1 bsc into each of next 3 ch. Turn. (3 bsc, Color 2, Color 3, Color 2)
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 3 sts. Turn. (3 bsc, all Color 3)
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 3 sts. Turn. (3 bsc, Color 2, Color 2, Color 3)
Row 4: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 3 sts. Turn. (3 bsc, Color 3, Color 2, Color 3)
Rows 5 through 10: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 3 sts per row. Turn after each row. (3 bsc per row, alternating Color 2 and Color 3)
Round 11
(begin taper): Ch 1, sl st in first st (no bead), 1 bsc in next 2 sts. Turn. (2 bsc)Row 12: Ch 1, 1 bsc in each of 2 sts. Turn. (2 bsc)
Round 13
Ch 1, sl st in first st (no bead), 1 bsc in next 1 st. Turn. (1 bsc)
Round 14
Tail tip Ch 1, 1 bsc in 1 st. Fasten off. (1 bsc) Head section: At the foundation chain end, re-join thread at the left side. Work (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) into the corner stitch to form the snout curve. Fasten off.
Tentacles
Cut 8 lengths of Color C thread, each 4 inches long. Pre-string 18 Color 3 aqua beads onto each length.
Fold each length in half and attach the folded center point to one of 8 evenly spaced points around Round 4 using a lark’s head knot. Slide all 18 beads down toward the ends. Thread the two thread tails through the bead column and knot at the bottom to secure. Trim to even length.
Assembly, in order
Step 1Charm placement (positions counted from left end of band):
Step 2Scallop 5: Whale charm
Step 3Scallop 15: Seahorse charm
Step 4Scallop 22: Jellyfish charm
Step 5Scallop 32: Silver starfish charm (attached via jump ring)
Step 6To attach crocheted charms: Cut a 12-inch length of matching thread. Thread onto a beading needle. Pass through the top edge of the charm and then through the thread between two beads at the appropriate scallop point. Pass through again in the same path. Pull snug so the charm sits flush against the band edge. Knot with 3 half hitches, trim tail to 0.25 inch and tuck between beads.
Check these before you start
- Working flat bead crochet slip stitch with your size 8 steel hook and size 10 thread: 10 bead slip stitches = 0.75 inch wide, and 12 rows of bead slip stitch = 0.75 inch tall. Gauge matters here for proper fit — if yours is looser, your anklet will be larger, so go down a hook size or tighten your tension; if tighter, go up a hook size.
- Use the size 8 (1.5mm) steel hook specified; anything larger will let beads sit loose against size 10 thread and the bead faces will twist out of alignment.
- Keep tension firm but not tight. Beads that are pulled too snug will distort instead of lying flat and perpendicular across the 12-stitch width.
- Check the color placement chart before every row change rather than every few rows. With only 12 beads per row, a single misread position shows immediately on the right side.
On one line
| Rounds | 18 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 8 |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Time | 6-8 hours |
| Hook | 2 mm |
| Yarn | Size 10 Crochet Thread |
Set-up
- Pre-string every bead for a row, and ideally the whole band, onto the thread in reverse order before chaining; this pattern cannot be corrected mid-row once a bead is skipped.
- Confirm thread amounts against the color chart: 15 yards each of Colors A, B, and C, plus 5 yards of Color D for edging, since running short mid-band means re-threading beads.
- Work a short bead single crochet swatch first to check that beads lie flat and perpendicular to the thread at your tension, rather than finding out on Row 60.
- Read Row 1 and the 12-position color placement chart before starting the foundation chain, since the whole 120-row gradient depends on getting that first row's bead order right.
Finishing
- Weave in all loose thread ends from the main band and from each of the three crocheted charms using the beading needle, running through back bumps to keep the reverse side flat.
- Attach the whale, seahorse, jellyfish, and starfish charms at scallop positions 5, 15, 22, and 32, passing thread twice through the same path at each point before pulling snug.
- Sew on the closure bead at the band end, then block the finished piece lightly with steam so the 9-inch band lies flat without curling.
Construction
The foundation chain is worked into the back bumps so the lower edge presents a clean, even line for the scalloped edging and charm attachment points that come later.
The jellyfish charm is worked in continuous joined rounds with regular increases, 8 to 16 to 24 stitches, building a flat spiral disc, while the whale charm is worked flat in short rows so its bead colors can shift row by row to shape a linear body.
Time per section
| Main band (Rows 1-120) | about 3-4 hours because each of the 120 rows places 12 individual beads one stitch at a time |
|---|---|
| Charms (jellyfish, whale, seahorse) | about 1.5-2 hours because each charm mixes multiple short rounds or rows with bead color changes |
| Assembly and finishing | about 45 minutes because four charms must be positioned, stitched twice through, and the band blocked flat |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.