How to Braid a Leather Anklet

Making jewelry is a fun craft project.

Braided leather anklets are fashionable to wear and also make stylish yet inexpensive gifts. Two identical anklets can make matching jewelry for friends. Braid an anklet for yourself and create a second one for your best friend. Making your own accessories is a simple craft project that you can do, and it gives you the opportunity to unleash your creativity. You can customize your anklets by adding small charms or beads to embellish them.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Leather strips
• Leather shears or scissors
• String
• Large decorative bead

Instructions

1. Measure the circumference of your ankle at the point where the anklet will rest. Multiply your measurement by three. This extra length will give you room for the ties and the braided and allow for some slack around your ankle.

2. Cut four strips of leather that are each the length of the multiplied measurement you calculated above. Match up the ends of the four strands and hold them together. Tie a slip knot with them, positioning the knot at the cut ends of the strips, then pull the knot tight. This will begin the loop that will hold your anklet in place.

3. Make another slip knot with the strips. Position this knot slightly below the first slip knot then pull it tight. Leave a small space between the two knots -- just enough room for the large bead to fit through.

4. Stabilize the anklet while you braid by using string. Fold a piece of string in half, to locate the midpoint. Loop the middle of the string around the leather strips, below the second slip knot. Create a slip knot in the string to hold it in place. Tie the two ends together around a stationary object, such as a pole or a piece of furniture. The length of the string will be determined by how long you will need it to be to wrap around the stationary object. Ensure that the knots are tight.

5. Untangle and separate the four strips of leather. Grasp the two left strips in your left hand and the two right strips in your right hand.

6. Pull the outer left strip behind the others and move it to the third position. As you pull the strip behind the others, twist it slightly. This will make the braid tighter. The strip should now be in the third position, or second from the right. Wrap the same strip over the front and around the strip to its left. This will create a twisted look in the center of the anklet.

7. Twist and pull the outer right strip behind the others and move it to the second position. Wrap it over the front and around the strip to its right. Pull the strips tightly to keep the braid straight.

8. Finish the braid by alternating between wrapping the strips on the left and those on the right into the center. Repeat Steps 5 and 6. Braid the anklet until it reaches your desired length, or there is approximately four inches left.

9. Push the large bead onto all four leather strips. Position it up against the bottom of the braid. Tie a slip knot, pull it up against the bottom of the bead, then pull it tight.

10. Snip the ends of the leather, leaving about a 1/16-inch tail. Pull the large bead through the section between the two slip knots at the top to hold it in place.

References

• You Tube: How to Make a 4-Part Round Braid/Leather Craft
• You Tube: How to: 4 Strand Round Braid Sling
• You Tube: How to Tie a Hemp Jewelry Bracelet, Part 2: Sizing and Finishing off, Wrenhouse Tutorial