THE PATTERN NOTEBOOK

A little guidance, one bead at a time.

Practical guides to choosing an image, understanding a bead pattern, and making thoughtful adjustments before you export.

AI-generated orange-and-white cat portrait on a pale green background.Actual 52 by 52 cat grid after background cleanup, with 16 Perler colors and empty cells around the subject.

Getting started · 9 min read

How to turn a photo into a Perler bead pattern

Start with a clear photo. Choose a grid size and color palette, check the details that matter, and download a digital pattern you can refer to.

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Digital Strawberry Milk Carton bead pattern in five Perler colors, without grid lines.The same 28 by 32 Strawberry Milk Carton pattern with cell lines and five-cell reading guides.

Reading patterns · 7 min read

How to Read and Follow a Perler Bead Pattern

Learn to spot empty cells, read Perler color codes and bead counts, follow a pattern one color at a time, and check a PDF against your own board.

Read the guide ↗