How to read a bead pattern

A bead pattern is a grid — rows and columns of colored squares, where each square represents one fuse bead on a pegboard. The colors match real bead colors from the brand you're using (Perler, Artkal, or Hama). Follow the grid, and when you're done you'll iron the beads together to fuse them permanently.

Start at the top-left corner. Each row goes left to right. When you finish a row, move down to the next. Think of it like reading text — left to right, top to bottom. Each colored square = one bead placed on the matching peg.

Most patterns include a color key or legend — a list of every color in the pattern with a bead code next to it (for example: "Perler #17 — Black" or "Artkal R01 — Black"). Match the bead code to your physical bead bags. Some patterns also show the total bead count per color, so you know how many of each to have ready.

A white or blank square can mean two things: either no bead goes there (leaving a hole), or a background-color bead goes there. Most patterns use white to mean "no bead" — but check the color key. If white is listed as a color in the key, place a white bead. If it's not in the key, leave those squares empty.

Count every few rows to make sure you're on track. It's easy to slip a peg and shift a whole row. A printed pattern is useful here — you can mark off rows with a pencil or use a sticky note as a row tracker. In Kandiverse, the pattern view has zoom and pan so you can count individual beads on screen.

When you open a pattern in Kandiverse, you can print it as a grid (one square = one bead) or view it on your phone next to your pegboard. The app shows a bead count per color so you can sort your beads into compartments before you start.