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Looking for a fun and functional crochet project that doubles as a stress-relief toy? This fidget beaded snake pattern is perfect for crafters who want to create something unique, engaging, and completely satisfying to make. With no sewing required and no frame construction, this pattern offers a straightforward approach to creating beautiful, tactile snakes that are perfect for fidgeting and sensory play.
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What Makes This Pattern Special
This innovative crochet pattern creates snakes that are entirely self-contained, requiring no additional sewing or frame assembly. The beads are incorporated directly into the crochet work as you go, creating a mesmerizing texture that’s irresistible to touch. Whether you’re making these for stress relief, as gifts, or simply for the joy of creating, these beaded snakes offer endless entertainment.
Materials and Tools You’ll Need
Essential Supplies
Crochet Hook:
- Size 2.5 mm (US: 1 1/2, UK: 12)
Yarn:
- Wolans Bunny Sweater yarn: 100% super-soft polyester, 100g/160m (3.5 oz/174 yds)
- Orange yarn (300-12): 53g for Snake #1
- Brown yarn (300-05): 64g for Snake #2
- Small amount of red yarn (300-08) for mouth details
Beads:
- Pony beads 9×6 mm with large holes (100gr = 340 pieces)
- Orange beads: 195 pieces for Snake #1
- Brown beads: 219 pieces for Snake #2
Additional Supplies:
- Orange safety eyes Ø 20mm (1 pair)
- Brown safety eyes Ø 18mm (1 pair)
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Yarn Alternatives
If you can’t find the specified yarn, you can substitute with any worsted weight (4) yarn such as:
- Himalaya Dolphin Fine
- YarnArt Dolce Baby
- Frida’s Sixth
Finished Dimensions
With the recommended materials, your snakes will measure:
- Snake #1 (Orange): 74 cm (29 inches)
- Snake #2 (Brown): 80 cm (31.5 inches)
Essential Abbreviations and Techniques
Crochet Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase
- dec: decrease
- sl st: slip stitch
- (): total number of stitches in current round
- []: repeat instructions the indicated number of times
Pro Tips for Success
Hook Size Selection: Choose the appropriate hook size for your yarn. While the pattern specifies 2.5mm, your tension might require adjustment.
Spiral Construction: Work continuously in a spiral without slip stitches or turning chains to maintain smooth, even sides.
Stitch Markers: Use a contrasting colored pin or thread as a stitch marker in the front loop of the last stitch of each round to keep track of your position.
Bead Holes: Ensure your chosen beads have holes large enough for both yarn and hook to pass through easily.
Invisible Decreases: Work decreases in front loops only (FLO) for a cleaner appearance.
Creating Snake #1: The Orange Beauty
Starting the Head
Begin with a foundation chain of 4 stitches. Starting at the second chain from the hook, work in the back loops only:
- Round 1: inc, inc, 2 inc at last stitch, rotate chain, inc, inc (12 stitches)
- Round 2: Work in spiral – sc in each sc around (12)
- Round 3: [1sc, inc] repeat 6 times (18)
- Rounds 4-5: sc in each sc around (18) – work 2 rounds
Shaping the Face
- Round 6: Check your stitch marker position – it should be on the side. Adjust if necessary.
Work: inc, inc, inc, 2sc, inc, inc, inc, 10sc (24) - Rounds 7-10: sc in each sc around (24) – work 4 rounds
- Round 11: [2sc, dec] repeat 6 times (18)
Adding the Eyes
Place safety eyes between rounds 8 and 9, with 3 stitches between them for proper spacing.
Incorporating Beads
Learning to add beads while crocheting is crucial for this Fidget Beaded Snake pattern:
- Place bead on crochet hook
- Insert hook through stitch
- Wrap yarn over hook and pull through bead
- You’ll have two loops on hook
- Yarn over again and draw through both loops
Continuing the Body
- Round 12: 3sc, sc+bead, 14sc (18)
- Round 13: 2sc, sc+bead, 1sc, sc+bead, 13sc (18)
Begin stuffing as you work, maintaining firm but not overly tight stuffing.
- Round 14: This is an incomplete round: sc, sc+bead, 1sc, sc+bead, 1sc, sc+bead, 9sc (15)
Reposition your marker and continue counting from the new position.
- Rounds 15-78: dec, dec, sc+bead, 1sc, sc+bead, 1sc, sc+bead, 1sc, inc, inc, 6sc (18) – repeat for 63 rounds
Creating the Tail
- Round 79: Begin tail shaping: dec, dec, sc+bead, 1sc, sc+bead, 2sc, inc, inc, 5sc, dec (17)
Continue decreasing gradually:
- Round 80: dec, dec, sc, sc+bead, 3sc, inc, 5sc, dec (15)
- Round 81: sc in each sc around (15)
- Round 82: dec, dec, 4sc, inc, 4sc, dec (13)
Continue this pattern, decreasing every other round until you reach 4 stitches, then close off.
Adding the Mouth
Using red yarn, create a forked tongue:
- Join red yarn to the front of the head
- Chain 5, starting at second chain from hook, work 2 slip stitches
- Chain 3, starting at second chain from hook, work 2 slip stitches
- Work 2 single crochets to complete the tongue shape
Creating Snake #2: The Brown Version
Snake #2 follows the same basic pattern with two key differences:
- The face section is one row shorter
- The body is longer, requiring more rounds
Follow the same instructions as Snake #1, but:
- Work rounds 7-9 instead of 7-10 (3 rounds instead of 4)
- Adjust round numbers accordingly
- Continue body rounds 14-85 instead of 15-78 (71 rounds total)
Finishing Your Snakes
Once you’ve completed your snakes, weave in all loose ends securely. The beauty of this Fidget Beaded Snake pattern is that no additional assembly is required – your beaded snakes are complete and ready to enjoy!
Tips for Success
Consistent Tension: Maintain even tension throughout to ensure uniform bead placement and snake shape.
Bead Positioning: The beads should sit naturally in the fabric without creating puckering or gaps.
Stuffing Technique: Stuff firmly but not so tight that the snake becomes rigid. You want it to remain flexible for fidgeting.
Conclusion
This fidget beaded snake pattern offers the perfect combination of challenging technique and rewarding results. The incorporated beads create a unique texture that’s incredibly satisfying to touch, while the spiral construction method keeps the project moving smoothly. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter looking for something new or someone seeking a therapeutic crafting project, these beaded snakes deliver on all fronts.
The no-sew, no-frame approach makes this pattern accessible and straightforward, while the bead incorporation technique adds an exciting skill to your crochet repertoire. Once you’ve mastered this pattern, you’ll have created not just a beautiful craft project, but a functional stress-relief tool that provides endless tactile enjoyment.
Remember to share your creations and connect with fellow crafters who are exploring this unique approach to crochet. Happy crafting!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
