Many of us have learned to braid Brazilian bracelets during summer camps or practical work classes at school. However, this pleasant pastime should not be seen only as a nostalgic memory. Indeed, it is both simple and fun to make braided bracelets yourself that will bring a touch of color to your outfit or to that of your friends! A few strands of colored thread are enough …
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Make a spiral bracelet
Step 1. Choose your yarn
You can use as many threads and colors as you want. This method is the simplest and does not require any complicated techniques. Cut threads the length of your wrist. Tape the group of threads on a table.
Step 2. Twist the wires
Grab the end of the threads and twist them until the colors are evenly distributed. You have to hold the end of the threads well to prevent the twist from coming undone.
Step 3. Complete the spiral
Holding the ends of the wires carefully, remove the tape. Hold the two ends of the twist together: the twist will roll up on itself automatically.
Step 4. Finish the bracelet
Pull the end of the twist through the loop on the opposite side and tie the bracelet to your wrist.
Step 5. Wear your new bracelet
Tie your bracelet around your wrist using the loop and free threads at both ends of the cable. Proudly wear your handmade bracelet!
Method 2 of 4: Make a striped bracelet
Step 1. Choose your threads
Choose at least four colors of embroidery floss. The threads should be in their basic form (with the 6 strands) and measure approximately 60 cm.
Step 2. Start your bracelet
Tie all your threads together with a very tight knot at their end. Make a braid of 5 to 8 cm and tie the threads very tightly again. This braid will be used to tie the bracelet around your wrist. Tape or pin this braid to a table or to a leg of your pants.
Step 3. Start creating your pattern
Lay the wires out flat, each of them a few inches apart. Take the left thread and simply tie it to each strand from left to right. To do this, place your L-shaped wire on the one directly to its right. You should get a shape of 4. Then take the end of the thread, pass it under the right thread and finally pass it through the hole in the shape of 4. This should create a loop on the second thread. You must bring this knot up to the top of the thread and tighten it securely. Then repeat this step to finish the knot.
Step 4. Continue with the same pattern
Tie the thread you started with over all the other threads from left to right. At the end, let this thread hang over the right and repeat the same process with the thread now located furthest to the left. Reproduce the same pattern with this second thread, then the following ones. Once you have done this with each of the threads, start over with the first thread (which came back to the left). Tighten each of the knots well as you go to obtain a smooth, flat and regular bracelet.
Step 5. Finish your bracelet
Stop braiding your bracelet when the striped part is long enough to wrap around your wrist. Tie all the strands in a knot, then braid them together as you did on the other side. Tie the threads together to complete the second braid, which is the second tie on your bracelet.
Step 6. Wear your bracelet
Tie the two braids around your wrist and show off your bracelet.
Method 3 of 4: Make a polka dot bracelet
Step 1. Choose the colors of your threads
For this pattern, you need to choose a primary color for the bracelet and a secondary color for the polka dots. The main part of the bracelet is braided with the same technique as the striped bracelet and the polka dots are then embroidered on it.
Step 2. Start your bracelet
Cut four lengths of 60cm wire. Tie them together then braid them about 5 to 8 cm long. Tie a second tight knot. Tie or tape the braid to a table or to a leg of your pants.
Step 3. Start creating your pattern
Lay the wires out flat, each of them a few inches apart. Take the left thread and simply tie it to each strand from left to right. To do this, place your L-shaped wire on the one directly to its right. You should get a shape of 4. Then take the end of the thread, pass it under the right thread and finally pass it through the hole in the shape of 4. This should create a loop on the second thread. You must bring this knot up to the top of the thread and tighten it securely. Then repeat this step to finish the knot.
Step 4. Continue the same pattern
The starting wire should now be on the right. Take the second thread and repeat the same steps as with the previous thread. Make a shape of 4 on the right thread, pass the thread through the center and tighten the thread to the top. Repeat on all remaining threads on the right. When there is no more thread on the right, take the thread furthest to the left and repeat.
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Repeat the same pattern until the bracelet is long enough to tie around your wrist. Tie all the threads together, braid them over a length of 5 to 8 cm and tie a second knot. Cut the protruding threads.
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Step 5. Add the peas
To create a polka dot pattern on your bracelet, embroider it with a knot stitch. Thread a needle with the embroidery floss you have chosen for the polka dots. Tie a knot at the base of the thread and thread the needle through the back of your bracelet where you want the first dot to be.
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Pull the thread all the way through the bracelet and re-point the needle at the base of the thread. Wind the needle around the thread that you should keep taut so that the thread wraps around the needle three times in a spiral.
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Poke the needle through the bracelet right next to the base of the thread, but do not pull it through the bracelet. Tamp the spiral of thread at the bottom of the needle and pinch it on the bracelet, then pass the needle through the bracelet and pull the thread. Finish the knot stitch by tying the thread under the bracelet. Add as many polka dots as you want on the bracelet.
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Step 6. Wear your bracelet
Tie the bracelet around your wrist and wear it proudly.
Method 4 of 4: Make a herringbone bracelet
Step 1. Choose your threads
Choose at least four colors of embroidery thread and cut lengths of 60 cm. You must have two threads of each color. Tie them together then braid them about 5 to 8 cm long. Tie a second tight knot. Tie or tape the braid to a table or to a leg of your pants.
Step 2. Start braiding your bracelet
Lay out the threads by arranging the colors symmetrically, like in a mirror. Take the left wire and fold it in half over the one just to its right. The two threads should form a 4. Take the end of the first thread and pass it through the center of the four, then tighten the knot upwards. Repeat to make a second knot on the same thread.
Step 3. Finish the left side
Continue to tie the threads in this way until the first thread comes to the center of your group of threads.
Step 4. Start the right side
Take the wire located furthest to the right. It should be the same color as the thread that is now in the center. Cross it over the thread to its left to form an inverted 4. Make double knots in this way until you reach the center of the bracelet, next to the other thread of the same color. Then tie these two threads together with a double knot.
Step 5. Repeat the same pattern
Tie your threads from the left to the center then from the right to the center by following the method explained previously. When two threads of the same color are found in the center, tie them with a double knot. If you forget that last knot, you will end up with two separate striped bands.
Step 6. Finish your bracelet
When the herringbone pattern part of your bracelet is long enough to wrap around your wrist, tie all the threads together and braid them two to three inches to get the second tie. Cut the threads that protrude from the braid. You can now wear your bracelet or give it to a friend!
Step 7. Well done
You can now give bracelets to your friends …
Advice
- The more you vary the colors, the better.
- For a more durable finish to your bracelet, you can attach a clasp rather than knotting the protruding threads.
- You can start with just a few strands and add color as you braid your bracelet.