The short answer: upload the picture to a pattern generator, choose the grid size and your bead colors, and it returns a grid with the bead count for each color. By hand, the same job takes an evening of drawing squares.
The computer does three things that make the difference: it averages each square into one color, it limits the palette to real bead colors, and it counts. Those three steps are what take forever by hand.
Using the generator
- Open the pattern maker and upload a picture with a clear subject.
- Set the grid size: 29 by 29 for one board, larger for bigger pieces.
- Limit the colors to the beads you own, usually 10 to 15 works well.
- Check the preview, then download or print the grid with counts.
- Build the pattern and keep the printout nearby for reference.
Doing it by hand
- Print the photo at the size you want the finished piece.
- Lay a transparent grid over it, one square per bead.
- For each square, pick the bead color closest to the average color.
- Mark the colors on a second blank grid and count as you go.
Whatever method you use, build from the darkest colors first, then fill lighter areas. The pattern library also has ready-made photo-style designs if you want to skip straight to building. Beads and boards are in our shop.