How to Make a Braided Sailor's Bracelet
Braided sailor's bracelets are thick braided bracelets made of cotton rope strands. They are called sailor's bracelets because sailors would wear them on the ship, often using them to wipe sweat from their eyes as they worked. Today, they are also known as surfer's bracelets, as they are a waterproof accessory for when you're riding the waves. They are also used as friendship bracelets. A handmade braided sailor's bracelet makes a heartfelt gift.
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Things You'll Need
- 3-5 yards of cotton string
- Round object, slightly larger than your wrist, such as a tin can
- Tape
Instructions
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1
Lay the can or round object on its side. Make sure whatever you're using is slightly larger than your wrist, so that you'll be able to get the bracelet on. If you're using cotton string or twine, it will shrink to the size of your wrist when it gets wet.
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2
Tape one end of the string to side of the can. Make sure you leave a tail about 4 inches long.
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3
Wrap the string once around the can. Cross the long, loose end over the other end once, creating an X shape. Wrap the string around a second time. Stop when you get to the X.
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4
Thread the loose end of string under the right hand string, above the X. Lay the loose end of string over the left hand string of the X.
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5
Hold the loose end of string out of the way to the left with your left hand; use your right hand to move the left hand string, the upper part of the X, over the right hand string. This should create a round shape in the strings.
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6
Hold these two strings in place while you thread the loose string through the loop you just created, threading the string under the new left hand side and over the new right hand side string.
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7
Rotate the project slightly, turning it toward you. You'll see another X shape in the string. Repeat Step 4 with this new X. Then repeat Steps 5 and 6.
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8
Continue repeating steps 4 through 6, creating a braid, until you get back to the beginning of your pattern.
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9
Weave the loose end of string through the weaves you just made, doubling up the pattern, all the way around the bracelet. You'll need to weave the string in and out, following the weave pattern. Continue weaving until you reach the start of your bracelet again.
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10
Weave the loose end through the weave pattern one more time, so that each strand in the braid is accompanied by two adjacent strands. Once you weave all the way through and reach the beginning again, the bracelet should look like a braid that used 3 strands of string.
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11
Tie the loose ends together and tuck them into the bracelet. Cut off any excess string.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
