PinDo editorial · October 8, 2026
How to read a fuse bead chart without losing your place.
A bead chart is a map of occupied and empty pegs. The color key tells you which bead belongs at each occupied coordinate; blank cells are intentionally empty.
Find the grid dimensions first
A chart’s width and height describe the space it occupies on the pegboard, including blank cells. Use these dimensions to check board fit before placing a bead. Keep the chart facing the same way as your board; rotating one without the other makes coordinate checks harder.
Use the key as your materials list
Each PinDo pattern lists colors, pack codes, and counts derived from the actual grid. Screen colors are approximations. Confirm the name and product code on your physical beads rather than matching only the display color. A key symbol provides a second way to distinguish similar colors.
Choose rows or colors as a working rhythm
Row-by-row placement makes gaps easy to see. Color-by-color placement reduces tray changes. PinDo supports color focus and completion tracking for both. Count a short section before marking it complete, and use undo when you discover a misplaced bead.
Export a chart you can use away from the screen
The chart PNG includes a key and material counts. Print or PDF provides a paper reference; a portable pattern JSON can reopen as a private design. These exports serve different purposes. Back up the whole library when you also need saved projects, inventory, and notes.