How to Make a Beaded Macrame Bracelet
Macrame is the technique of forming various knots to create a design. While the craft typically uses cords, smaller projects can be completed with string. Using string or small cording is called micro-macrame, and there are a few extra challenges in controlling the materials. Once you get the hang of the knot, however, these bracelets are a cinch to make and will not take long to complete. And when that happens, you'll be able to create a customized and stunning beaded macrame bracelet to wear around your wrist.
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Things You'll Need
- 120-inches of cording
- Clip board
- 10 beads with holes twice the diameter of the cording
- Large pony bead
- Craft glue
Instructions
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1
Cut the cording into two 24-inch pieces and one 72-inch piece. As an alternative, the two shorter cords can be of one color and the longer cord of a second color. The shorter cords will not show through the finished design.
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2
Tie a knot in the two 24-inch pieces approximately 8-inches away from one end. For convenience, tie a knot that you will be able to remove later on.
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3
Place the knot underneath the clip on the clipboard. When doing so, make sure that 8-inches of the cord are tucked under the clip. The remaining 16-inches of the cord should hang down the front of the clipboard.
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4
Fold the long cord in half to find the center. Place the center of the long cord underneath both of the shorter, or filler, cords.
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5
Tie a square knot around the filler cords using the long cord. To tie a square knot, first cross the left side of the long cord under the bottom of the filler cords, then over the top of the right side of the long cord. Leave some slack in the cord still protruding on the left side of the filler cords. Then take the right side of the long cord over the top of the filler cords and down through the hole created by the slack on the right side. Pull the knot tight against the filler cords and as close to the clip on the clipboard as possible.
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6
Make four more square knots in the same fashion. Keep the knots pulled tight to the filler cords as you go.
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7
Insert one bead onto both of the filler cords. Wrap the long cords over the bead and make a square knot, encasing the filler cords on the other side. Push the knot up tightly towards the bottom of the bead. Continue knotting until you have made five more square knots.
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8
Add another bead to the filler cord, then follow with five more square knots. Continue repeating these steps until the bracelet has almost reached the desired length.
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9
Place the large pony bead onto the filler cords and tie a knot to secure it in place. The bead should be tight between the macrame knots and the knot holding it in place.
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10
Remove the bracelet from the clipboard and untie the knot that you were using to hold it under the clip. While this is not required, the bracelet may be more aesthetically pleasing if the knot is removed. If you like the look of the knot, however, you can leave it in place.
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Measure the bracelet around your wrist and tie a knot in the 8-inches of filler cord you have just removed from under the clip. The knot should be placed at the location that makes the bracelet comfortable around your wrist; it can be as tight or as loose as you want it to be.
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12
Tie another knot on the same end of the bracelet 3/4-inch away from the original knot. This will make the hole that you insert the pony bead through in order to close the bracelet.
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13
Place a drop of glue over the final knot to secure it in place. Allow the glue drops to dry completely.
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14
Trim the excess threads that are dangling past the knot that holds the pony bead in place. Be sure to trim any threads that are hanging from the knot made on the opposite end as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Depending on the size of your finished bracelet and the dimensions of your bead and cording, you may not use all the beads you have set aside for the project.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
