How to Make a Sailor's Bracelet for Colonial Day

Sailors used bracelets to wipe sweat from their faces when they were working.

Sailor's bracelets are bracelets made from rope. The rope is generally composed of either nylon or cotton cording. The ropes are woven together in a method called a Turk's head knot, which gives the bracelet a braided look. If you want a sailor's bracelet for a Colonial Day celebration, you can make your own with little more than a length of cording.

Things You'll Need

• Cording
• Soup can
• Tape
• Candle or lighter

Instructions

1. Attach one end of a length of nylon cording to the side of a soup can using a piece of tape. The length of the cording depends on how large you want the bracelet. In general, 36 inches is adequate.

2. Wrap the cording around the can one time. When you reach the front, bring the cording back over itself so that it makes an X. Insert the loose end of the cording through the bottom of the X, between the two legs of the X. Bring the cording up under the cross of the X and up through the top of the X, between the two arms. Tighten the cording on the can by pulling it firmly.

3. Turn the can around. You should now be looking at the back of it. The loose end of the cording should be hanging down at the bottom of the can and there should be two loops of cording encircling the can. Insert the loose end of the cording underneath the left loop and out the center of the hole. Pull the cording firmly again, to tighten it on the can. This will create another X, this time on the back of the can. Insert the loose end of the cording between the two legs of the bottom part of the X, under the cross of the X and then up between the two top arms. Pull the cording tight again.

4. Continue to insert the loose end of the cording through the bottom of the X and up to the top of the X, turning the can as you go.

5. Take the bracelet off of the can once it has reached the desired width you want. Cut the loose end of the cord so that it reaches the end of the cording you had taped in the first step. Use a lit candle or lighter to melt the ends of the cording. Press them together to allow them to fuse.

Tips & Warnings

• Although you can use cotton cording, you cannot burn and fuse the ends of it. If you decide you want to use cotton cording, tie the ends together in a knot under the bracelet.

References

• Hand-Crafted Knot Jewelry: Decorative Marlingspike Seamanship Rendered in Precious Metal
• The Beading Gem's Journal: How to Make a Turk's Head Knot or Sailor Jewelry
• Alaska Muesum of Fancy Knots: Nantucket Sailor's Bracelets