60 Perler Bead Ideas: Cute, Easy and 3D (Free Patterns)
Not sure what to make with Perler beads? Start with a tiny pattern of about 10 beads, then move on to keychains, 3D projects and pieces to display. All 60 ideas here are free mamepix patterns you can make right away.
Size guide
| Width (beads) | 2.6 mm beads | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | about 2.6 cm | Earrings, hair clips |
| 16 | about 4.2 cm | Keychains, magnets |
| 29 | about 7.5 cm | Coasters (one pegboard) |
| 52 | about 13.5 cm | Framed art |
Easy mini ideas (about 10 beads)
Mostly 1 to 3 colors and under 50 beads, done in 15 to 30 minutes. Great first projects, earrings or hair clips.
- Mini Heart: 7×6 beads, 2 colors, about 1.8 cm
- Mini Star: 7×7 beads, 1 colors, about 1.8 cm
- Mini Rice Ball: 8×8 beads, 3 colors, about 2.1 cm
- Mini Four-leaf Clover: 7×9 beads, 2 colors, about 1.8 cm
- Mini Bow: 9×6 beads, 3 colors, about 2.3 cm
- Mini Cherries: 8×8 beads, 5 colors, about 2.1 cm
- Mini Bunny: 10×10 beads, 5 colors, about 2.6 cm
- Mini White Cat: 10×10 beads, 3 colors, about 2.6 cm
- Mini Snowflake: 9×9 beads, 3 colors, about 2.3 cm
Cute animal and sweets ideas
Round shapes and pink cheeks do the work. They make lovely gifts.
- Shimaenaga (Long-tailed Tit): 16×15 beads, 4 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Hamster: 16×14 beads, 6 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Red Panda: 16×13 beads, 5 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Flapjack Octopus: 16×11 beads, 5 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Sea Otter: 16×14 beads, 7 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Unicorn (side view): 16×16 beads, 9 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Strawberry Milk: 11×15 beads, 6 colors, about 2.9 cm
- Smiling Heart: 13×12 beads, 5 colors, about 3.4 cm
- Mini Penguin: 9×10 beads, 4 colors, about 2.3 cm
Keychain ideas
About 16 beads (around 4 cm with 2.6 mm beads) is an easy size to hang on a bag.
- Shiba Inu: 18×17 beads, 4 colors, about 4.7 cm
- Tuxedo Cat: 16×15 beads, 4 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Strawberry: 16×16 beads, 6 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Donut: 16×14 beads, 6 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Soft Serve Ice Cream: 16×17 beads, 5 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Macaron: 14×12 beads, 4 colors, about 3.6 cm
- Tyrannosaurus: 18×17 beads, 6 colors, about 4.7 cm
- Soccer Ball: 13×13 beads, 2 colors, about 3.4 cm
- Paw Print: 15×13 beads, 2 colors, about 3.9 cm
Stylish, Korean-style ideas
Simple designs with few colors. Swap in muted shades for an even more polished look.
- Smiley Face: 13×13 beads, 3 colors, about 3.4 cm
- Pastel Flower: 13×13 beads, 2 colors, about 3.4 cm
- Laid-Back Bear: 13×12 beads, 4 colors, about 3.4 cm
- Checkered Coaster (Lavender): 20×20 beads, 2 colors, about 5.2 cm
- Gingham Heart: 13×12 beads, 4 colors, about 3.4 cm
- Lemon Slice Coaster: 19×19 beads, 5 colors, about 4.9 cm
- Moon and Star: 10×15 beads, 2 colors, about 2.6 cm
- Sparkle: 11×11 beads, 2 colors, about 2.9 cm
- Ribbon Bow: 16×12 beads, 4 colors, about 4.2 cm
3D ideas
Slot two pieces together in a cross, or build a box from panels. See the 3D guide for how.
- 3D Christmas Tree: 27×17 beads, 4 colors, about 7 cm
- 3D Star: 27×13 beads, 2 colors, about 7 cm
- 3D Heart: 27×12 beads, 3 colors, about 7 cm
- 3D Snowman: 23×17 beads, 4 colors, about 6 cm
- Dice (3D): 19×25 beads, 3 colors, about 4.9 cm
- Heart Trinket Box (3D): 27×23 beads, 2 colors, about 7 cm
- Lidded Trinket Box (3D): 28×27 beads, 3 colors, about 7.3 cm
- Pumpkin Box (3D): 27×23 beads, 3 colors, about 7 cm
Seasonal ideas (autumn to New Year)
Halloween, Christmas, winter and New Year designs, for seasonal decorations and gifts.
- Halloween Pumpkin: 18×16 beads, 4 colors, about 4.7 cm
- Ghost: 16×16 beads, 4 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Christmas Tree: 17×19 beads, 6 colors, about 4.4 cm
- Santa Claus: 16×18 beads, 8 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Snowman: 16×19 beads, 6 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Reindeer: 18×15 beads, 7 colors, about 4.7 cm
- Kadomatsu: 16×18 beads, 6 colors, about 4.2 cm
- Sheep (2027 Zodiac Animal): 18×16 beads, 6 colors, about 4.7 cm
Bigger pieces to display
Patterns 29 beads or wider, to make into coasters or framed art.
- The Great Wave off Kanagawa (Hokusai): 29×20 beads, 8 colors, about 7.5 cm
- Nordic-Style Coaster (Snowflake): 29×29 beads, 2 colors, about 7.5 cm
- Asanoha Coaster (Hemp Leaf): 29×29 beads, 2 colors, about 7.5 cm
- Mt Fuji and Cherry Blossoms: 41×29 beads, 16 colors, about 10.7 cm
- Mandala: 33×33 beads, 10 colors, about 8.6 cm
- Stained-Glass Rose Window: 33×33 beads, 14 colors, about 8.6 cm
- Photo Frame (Hearts): 28×38 beads, 3 colors, about 7.3 cm
- Realistic Cat Face (Brown Tabby): 25×23 beads, 9 colors, about 6.5 cm
More ways to start
To add a name, use the letter and name patterns; to start from a photo, use the Pattern Maker.
Try one of these patterns
FAQ
What should a beginner make first?
A tiny pattern of about 10 beads and 3 colors or fewer. The mini heart (27 beads) or mini onigiri (48 beads) takes 15 to 30 minutes.
I can never decide what to make with Perler beads
Start from what it is for: a keychain to carry, a coaster or frame to display, or something with a name on it as a gift.
Any ideas for adults?
Famous paintings, Nordic or Japanese-pattern coasters, a mandala or a photo frame, all 29 beads or wider. They look calm and grown-up on display.
Can I use 5 mm beads?
Yes. These are grid patterns, so with 5 mm Perler or Hama beads the piece comes out about twice as big.