Description
This liquorice allsorts pattern remains one of my most popular ever. So, read on to find out why!
The Story Behind the Liquorice Allsorts Pattern
My beaded liquorice allsorts were some of my first food-related beading designs. I have always loved liquorice allsorts. I love their taste and the shapes and colours that make them so distinctive. As soon as I learned how to make shapes using peyote stitch, I created my liquorice allsorts bead designs. I still love wearing the first pendant I made, which featured all the different varieties, apart from Bertie Bassett!
I actually used a mix of different techniques for this original pendant: I included some herringbone chimneys and used Right Angle Weave to make the square sweets. As soon as I wore that pendant, I was asked if I would write up the Liquorice Allsorts pattern. I was a little reluctant at first, but finally agreed to this.
When I wrote the pattern, I wanted to create a useful learning tool. Just as well – I have now taught this project at more than one workshop! You can also buy a complete kit to make the bracelet as shown.
Useful Information
I decided to make these four varieties of liquorice allsorts. I used tubular and circular peyote stitch for all the designs. So, this is a great project for learning and improving this technique.
Although I have marked this pattern as intermediate, the colouring of the liquorice allsorts actually really helps if you are still learning. I recommend starting with the coconut version, then moving on to the aniseed pimples. Finally, try the square shapes.
This pattern shows you how to make the sweets into beaded beads which can be strung on a memory wire bracelet. However, you can just leave them as sweets and fill a jar with them! For this project, you will need size 11 seed beads (you can use any brand – just make sure you keep to the same brand for all your sweets), plus thread.
Just one word of warning: these do look quite realistic, so please be careful that nobody thinks it is a good idea to actually try eating them… I’m pretty certain that beads will not taste good and they do present a serious choking hazard for anyone, especially small children and pets.
Each of the liquorice allsorts can be made in under an hour. So, this is a great project to do in stages. Whatever you end up doing with your liquorice allsorts, I hope you have fun making them. My own bracelet has led to many a conversation about which of the sweets are people’s favourites…for me, it’s the coconut circles!
