Heart
The classic first Perler bead pattern. Make two and turn them into a matching pair of fridge magnets.
- Beads
- 74
- Colors
- 2
- Size (beads)
- 11 × 10
5.5 × 5 cm (2.2 × 2 in)
Beads you need
- Red80-1900572
- White80-190012
Free · Printable · One pegboard each
Easy Perler Bead Patterns for Beginners
14 small patterns to start with, from a two-color heart to a six-color rainbow. Every card shows how many beads of each color you need. Download any of them as a printable chart, or open one in the pattern maker to resize it or switch to Hama or Artkal colors.
Super easy Perler bead patterns for beginners: 1–2 colors
Start here if it’s your first project, or if you’re beading with young kids. With one or two colors there’s nothing to sort and very little to count, so most of these take under half an hour to place. They make great fridge magnets, keychains and first gifts.
Paw print
A paw print Perler bead pattern on a round badge, so the toes stay attached after ironing. Try the paw in your pet’s fur color.
- Beads
- 137
- Colors
- 2
- Size (beads)
- 13 × 13
6.5 × 6.5 cm (2.6 × 2.6 in)
Beads you need
- Light Blue80-1900995
- Brown80-1901242
Smiley face
A happy two-color Perler bead pattern. Place the black eyes and smile first, then fill in the yellow around them.
- Beads
- 112
- Colors
- 2
- Size (beads)
- 12 × 12
6 × 6 cm (2.4 × 2.4 in)
Beads you need
- Yellow80-19003100
- Black80-1901812
Star
A bright yellow star with a tiny face — a quick Perler bead pattern to glue onto a fridge magnet.
- Beads
- 63
- Colors
- 2
- Size (beads)
- 11 × 12
5.5 × 6 cm (2.2 × 2.4 in)
Beads you need
- Yellow80-1900361
- Black80-190182
Easy Perler bead patterns: 3–4 colors
Ready for a little more? These Perler bead patterns add small details like spots, seeds and eyes, so they suit kids who have finished a project or two. Plan on 20–40 minutes each, and turn them into keychains, bag charms or magnets.
Cherries
Two cherries on one stem. The white dots make this Perler bead pattern look shiny.
- Beads
- 58
- Colors
- 3
- Size (beads)
- 11 × 11
5.5 × 5.5 cm (2.2 × 2.2 in)
Beads you need
- Red80-1900540
- Dark Green80-1901016
- White80-190012
Ladybug
A red and black Perler bead pattern with two white eyes. Both halves are the same, so you can check your spots against the other side.
- Beads
- 84
- Colors
- 3
- Size (beads)
- 11 × 12
5.5 × 6 cm (2.2 × 2.4 in)
Beads you need
- Red80-1900550
- Black80-1901832
- White80-190012
Mushroom
A spotty red toadstool. This Perler bead pattern makes a great keychain or bag charm.
- Beads
- 90
- Colors
- 3
- Size (beads)
- 12 × 11
6 × 5.5 cm (2.4 × 2.2 in)
Beads you need
- Red80-1900552
- Creme80-1900222
- White80-1900116
Flower
A pink flower Perler bead pattern with a sunny center. Swap the pink for any color you like.
- Beads
- 80
- Colors
- 3
- Size (beads)
- 11 × 14
5.5 × 7 cm (2.2 × 2.8 in)
Beads you need
- Pink80-1908358
- Green80-1908013
- Yellow80-190039
Cat face
An orange cat face Perler bead pattern with pink ears. Change the orange to grey or black to match your own cat.
- Beads
- 83
- Colors
- 4
- Size (beads)
- 11 × 10
5.5 × 5 cm (2.2 × 2 in)
Beads you need
- Orange80-1900467
- White80-190017
- Blush80-190635
- Black80-190184
Watermelon slice
A summer slice with black seeds. The rows get shorter as you go, so this Perler bead pattern is quick to finish.
- Beads
- 87
- Colors
- 4
- Size (beads)
- 13 × 11
6.5 × 5.5 cm (2.6 × 2.2 in)
Beads you need
- Hot Coral80-1905955
- Dark Green80-1901013
- Kiwi Lime80-1906113
- Black80-190186
Ice cream cone
A pink scoop on a waffle cone with a cherry on top — a sweet Perler bead pattern for a bag charm.
- Beads
- 97
- Colors
- 4
- Size (beads)
- 11 × 15
5.5 × 7.5 cm (2.2 × 3 in)
Beads you need
- Cotton Candy80-1524246
- Butterscotch80-1909040
- Light Brown80-190216
- Red80-190055
Next-step beginner Perler bead patterns: 5–6 colors
More colors, same small size. These are the last step before bigger designs: you’ll practice following a color key and keeping five or six colors sorted at once. Set aside 30–45 minutes, then hang one up as decoration or use it as a gift tag.
Rainbow
Six colors, but each one is a single line of beads, which makes this the easiest many-color Perler bead pattern. Follow the arch from the outside in.
- Beads
- 96
- Colors
- 6
- Size (beads)
- 16 × 8
8 × 4 cm (3.1 × 1.6 in)
Beads you need
- Red80-1900522
- Orange80-1900420
- Yellow80-1900318
- Green80-1908016
- Light Blue80-1900912
- Purple80-190078
Cupcake
Pink frosting, sprinkles and a striped wrapper — a fun Perler bead pattern for birthday cards and party favors.
- Beads
- 117
- Colors
- 5
- Size (beads)
- 13 × 13
6.5 × 6.5 cm (2.6 × 2.6 in)
Beads you need
- Bubblegum80-1900660
- Light Blue80-1900934
- White80-1900115
- Red80-190055
- Yellow80-190033
Strawberry
Our mascot! This Perler bead pattern has six colors, a cute face and rosy cheeks.
- Beads
- 130
- Colors
- 6
- Size (beads)
- 13 × 15
6.5 × 7.5 cm (2.6 × 3 in)
Beads you need
- Hot Coral80-1905994
- Green80-1908018
- Yellow80-190037
- Black80-190187
- Flamingo80-152032
- Dark Green80-190102
What you need to get started
Beads
A mixed tub of midi (5 mm) beads in basic colors covers every pattern here. Perler, Hama Midi and Artkal S beads are all the same size.
A large square pegboard
Every pattern on this page fits on one large square pegboard (29 × 29 pegs). With a clear pegboard you can slide the printed chart underneath and follow it bead by bead.
Ironing paper and an iron
Use the paper that comes with bead kits or plain parchment paper, and a household iron on medium with the steam off. Grown-ups should do the ironing for young kids.
Tweezers (optional)
Bead tweezers or a bead pen make it easier to pick up beads and drop them on the pegs, especially for small hands.
How to read a bead pattern
Bead patterns are simple grids. Once you know these four things you can follow any chart, on this site or anywhere else.
One square = one bead
Each square on the chart is one bead on one peg. An empty square means you leave that peg empty.
Numbers match the bead list
On the printed chart every square has a number. Look that number up in the bead list under the chart to find the color name and code.
Count by fives
Darker grid lines mark every 5 beads, and the edges are numbered, so you can always find your place again.
Work in an order that suits you
Go row by row from the top, or place the details first and fill in the big areas after. Both work; pick whichever you find easier to count.
Tips for your first project
Sort your colors first
Pour each color into its own cup or muffin-tin section before you start. It’s much faster than digging through a mixed tub for every bead.
Place the details first
Put down eyes, spots and outlines while the board is still empty, then fill the larger areas around them. Small details are easier to count that way.
Don’t bump the board
Work on a flat table and leave the pegboard where it is until the beads are ironed. One knock can scatter a whole row.
Iron both sides
Iron the front, let it cool flat under a book, then flip it and iron the back. Fusing both sides makes the piece strong and flat.
Not sure about heat and timing? Follow our step-by-step ironing guide.
Have a picture you’d love to bead?
Turn any photo or drawing into a pattern with real Perler, Hama or Artkal colors.
Beginner Perler bead pattern FAQ
What is the easiest Perler bead pattern for beginners?
Anything with one or two colors and around 100 beads, like the heart, star or smiley face on this page. There’s nothing to sort and very little to count, so most first-timers finish in one sitting.
How many beads do I need for a beginner project?
The patterns on this page use between 58 and 137 beads. Each card lists exactly how many of each color you need, so you can check your tubs before you start.
What size pegboard do I need?
One large square pegboard (29 × 29 pegs) fits every pattern here. Each card also shows the pattern size in beads, so you can check whether it fits a smaller or shaped board you already have.
What age are Perler beads for?
Regular (midi) Perler beads are usually labeled for ages 6 and up because small beads are a choking hazard. Younger kids can use the larger beads made for little hands. An adult should always do the ironing.
Can I use Hama or Artkal beads instead?
Yes. Hama Midi and Artkal S beads are the same size as Perler beads. Open any pattern in the pattern maker and switch the bead brand to get matching color names and codes.
Are these patterns free to print?
Yes. Every pattern here is an original meltybit design, free to download and print for your own projects. No sign-up needed.