Step-by-Step Rosary Bracelets

Rosary bracelets are stylish and provide opportunities for prayer throughout the day.

Rosary bracelets are one-decade rosary worn around the wrist. They are made from 11 glass beads, 10 Hail Mary beads and one Our Father bead. One charm-sized crucifix and a charm size medal, often a Miraculous Medal, hang from the bracelet. Rosary bracelets are made with a variety of beads in many colors, and they are often made with chain to resemble the traditional rosary. Memory wire, elastic or twine are also used to make rosary bracelets. Rosary bracelets are worn as a symbol of religion and to remind people to pray throughout the day.

Things You'll Need

• 11 round half hard wire pieces, 1 1/4-inch
• Round nose pliers
• 10 glass beads, 6 mm
• Glass bead, 8 mm
• Chain nose pliers
• 2 five-link chain links
• Lobster claw clasp
• 2 large jump rings
• Small jump ring
• Split ring pliers
• Small crucifix
• Small rosary medal

Instructions

1. Take one piece of 1 1/4 inch round hard wire and make a loop on one end. Use round nose pliers to bend the wire toward you while gripping the other end of the wire with your fingers. Continue to bend the wire until it forms the letter "P."

2. Place the round nose pliers on the straight side of the wire where the bent wire touches it. Make a bend in the straight side of the wire, leaving a slight opening.

3. Slide one 6-mm (Hail Mary) bead onto the straight end of the wire. Make another loop on the other end of the wire, leaving it slightly open. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 using the nine other 6-mm beads and wires. Repeat the same steps for the 8-mm (Our Father) bead, and set that bead unit aside.

4. Slide the open wire of one of the 6-mm bead units onto the open end of another 6-mm bead unit. Grip the open part of the wire with chain nose pliers and close the wire. Continue beading all of the wires together until all 10 of the 6-mm beads are connected to complete the decade, leaving the bent wire on each end of the bracelet slightly open.

5. Attach a five-link chain to the open end of one of the last bead units, placing the first link of the chain on the open-ended wire. Use chain nose pliers to close the loop around the chain link.

6. Connect the 8-mm bead unit to the other end of the five-link chain. Close the loop using the chain nose pliers. Attach the other five-link chain to the other open end of the 8-mm bead unit. Close the loop with chain nose pliers.

7. Open one of the larger split rings with split ring pliers. Slide the split ring onto the open end of the five-link chain. Open the second larger split ring, and slide the lobster claw clasp onto the ring.

8. Open the small split ring with the split ring pliers. Place the crucifix and the rosary medal on the split ring with the crucifix on top. Attach the split ring containing the crucifix and the medal in between the 8-mm bead and first 6-mm bead.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are new to making jewelry, practice making wire loops, opening split wires and using jewelry pliers before attempting to make a rosary bracelet.

References

• The Rosary Shop: What Is a Rosary Bracelet?
• Making Beaded Jewelry: Make Your Own Rosary Bracelets -- Beaded Rosary Instructions
• Making Beaded Jewelry: Beading for Beginners Jewelry Making Wire Jewelry Technique