Wow, it has been a hectic summer! And now that it's almost over and I'm about to move back to college, I guess I found a bit of time to make a tutorial.
It all started when I saw a bracelet at Forever 21, and then forgot to buy it before I left. It was very simple, like a macrame bracelet with beads that was long and could be wrapped around several times. That, and the fact that I've had some beads I didn't know what to do with, led to me creating this:
I love the beads, they're cube-shaped gemstones from Hobby Lobby. Unfortunately, with the amount of beads that I had, it came out a funny length. Too short to wrap around three times, and two long to wrap around twice. So I wear it as a necklace.
But I still wanted to make a bracelet, and so I made this tutorial while I was working on it so that you can see how it's done. So simple!!
1) You'll need to gather your materials. My beads are from three old power beads bracelets I wore in elemantary school. You will also need a VERY long strand of embroidery floss in a color of your choice. You'll need some sort of clasp: mine is a sort of hook-shaped thing, I'm not sure what it's called. And finally you'll need a needle small enough to fit through the bead and large enough to hold whatever thread or floss you're using.
2) Fold the floss in half and attach it to your clasp. You should have two long ends of equal length. Then you'll need to tie knots. These are basic friendship bracelet knots, also known as double half hitch. I made two double half hitches, also known as four half hitches? Knots are confusing. Honestly, just do whatever you are comfortable with, but make sure they are secure and create a small space between beads.
3) Thread your needle on one of these ends; use this to string a bead all the way to the top, by the clasp.
4) Tie your knots again. I used two double half hitches all the way through the bracelet. Try to make it so that the knots are at the bottom of the bead near the hole, not somewhere in the middle of the bead.
5) Keep doing this. Alternate between beads and knots and make it as long as you like. If you notice one strand of floss becoming longer than the other, simply switch the needle to the other side and then carry on that way.
6) You're done! Simply tie your knots securely after the last bead and then trim off the extra floss. Wrap it several times around your wrist. If you used the hook-like clasp as I did, you can clip it anywhere between two beads and it is all set!
TADA!!
~birdfriend
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