How to Make a Turks Head Braided Sailor's Bracelet

Paracord is used to make sailor's bracelets.

A Turk's head sailor's bracelet, also known as a friendship bracelet, is a type of braided accessory that is worn around the wrist. Tradition says it was worn by sailors to wipe sweat and dirt off their brow. Today the bracelet is worn as a fashion statement. The bracelet can be made out of any type of flexible material, such as yarn, hemp rope, paracord or embroidery thread. You can choose the colors of the threads to create a sailor bracelet that matches your personal style and individuality.

Things You'll Need

• Rope
• Scissors
• 12 oz soup can
• Lighter
• Candle
• Tape measure
• Clear tape

Instructions

1. Measure the circumference of your wrist. Measure and cut a length of cord that is nine times the circumference of your wrist.

2. Stand the soup can on your work desk. Stick the top end of the rope to the can with a strip of clear tape.

3. Wrap the rope once around the can, and overlap it over the sellotaped end of rope to form an "X." Wrap the end of the rope back around the can, then insert it underneath the right bottom side of the "X." Pull all the rope through.

4. Rotate the can round to the other side. You should see two parallel lines. Lift the left line over the right line to form a small loop. Insert the end of the cord under and through the middle of the loop. Pull the rope through. Insert the rope under the bottom right side of the next "X" shape.

5. Repeat this braiding technique until you have created a braid with three parallel strings all around the bracelet. Tuck the end of the rope underneath the bracelet to complete it. If you are working with paracord, light the tea candle and carefully melt the end of the cord for a few seconds, while the end of the paracord is still hot, attach it to a paracord on the underneath side of the bracelet. Repeat with the other end.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a 12 oz soup can you can use a similar sized glass, a thick pole or your other hand to wrap the Turk's head knot around.

• Lighters should only be used by adults.

References

• Troop 54: The Turk's Head Knot

Resources

• Beading Gem: How to Make A Turk's Head Knot or Sailor Jewelry