How to Make a Pony Bead Dragonfly (Free Pattern!)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you all the tricks and tips to make adorable pony bead dragonflies!

Pony bead critters are having a full-on 90s revival, and this dragonfly is ready to buzz right into your collection. With bright beads, fluttery wings, and that classic 90s charm, this pattern is pretty darn easy and oh-so retro!

If you’ve already tackled my pony bead lizards, snakes, or other bead buddies, this dragonfly is a fun next project to try. The finished dragonfly looks adorable clipped to a backpack, hanging from a keychain, or added to a summer craft collection full of colorful little critters.

How to Make a Pony Bead Dragonfly

Materials

Dragonfly Printable Bead Pattern
19 main color pony beads
36 wing color pony beads
2 eye color pony beads
2 feet of ribbon, string, or yarn
keyring (optional)
scissors

Step-by-Step Tutorial with Pictures

Dragonfly row 1 — Thread one eye bead, one main color bead, and one eye bead onto your string. Push them to the center.

Row 2, step 1 — Next, thread three main color beads onto one end of the string and leave them near the end.

Row 2, step 2 — Take the other end of the string, and thread it through the beads from the opposite direction. You can imagine that the string is making a little X inside the beads!

Row 2 complete — Pull on both ends of the string to tighten the bead row. It should lay snuggly against the first row. You may need to tighten, loosen, and wiggle the beads to get them to lay flat. That’s normal!

Wing, step 1 — Do one more row of body color beads, and then it’s time for the first set of wings! To make the wings, take 10 wing beads and thread them onto one side. Press them down next to the dragonfly’s body.

Wing, step 2 — Using the same end of the string, thread it back through the first wing bead.

Wing, complete — Pull the string taut to create the wing. This will probably also need some wiggling of the beads to get them to lay right.

Both wings complete — Once you’ve got one wing you can repeat the same thing on the other side.

Starting 3rd wing — Do one body row exactly the same as you did the other body rows. When that’s done, you’ll repeat the wing method, but this time, only use 8 wing beads!

Complete pony bead dragonfly — After you’ve got your final wings, you can follow the pattern to complete the body. Tie your dragonfly off with a double square knot when you’re finished!

Optional Keychain Start

If you’re using a key chain, you will have a different start. Instead of simply sliding the first beads to the center, you will tie the keychain in the center of the ribbon. Your first row will then be done like the other rows, with the ends of the ribbon going through it from opposite sides. From there, it’s just the same as the non-keychain version!