https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/beaded-loops-bracelet • Posted by Conn
I made this as a gift for a friend who had been feeling sad and stressed lately. To be honest, I had been feeling the same, so this project was a win-win situation: I got to make something that took the stress off my mind, and she got a surprise to brighten up her week. The design popped into my head from something I'd seen before (Perhaps a book? I don't recall anymore..) and I thought it'd be the perfect design to make something teal, the friend's favorite color. Anyhow, it turned out lovely, and we're both feeling a bit better now.
I made this as a gift for a friend who had been feeling sad and stressed lately. To be honest, I had been feeling the same, so this project was a win-win situation: I got to make something that took the stress off my mind, and she got a surprise to brighten up her week. The design popped into my head from something I'd seen before (Perhaps a book? I don't recall anymore..) and I thought it'd be the perfect design to make something teal, the friend's favorite color. Anyhow, it turned out lovely, and we're both feeling a bit better now.
Start by cutting out some thread (I used about a wingspan, but that was more than enough.) and stringing on two needles, on on either end. To create makeshift beading needles, I used 28 gauge wire. I bent the wire approximately in half (You should make one side longer though.) and twisted the two ends together.
String on an odd number of beads (Due to the small size of mine, I used 17 beads.) to make loops that are about 1cm long. The bigger your beads, the bigger the loops you'll need, so plan accordingly.
Taking the needle on the right and insert it through the first bead on the left.
Pull to tighten.
To make the second loop, string on half the number of beads in the first loop + 0.5 beads onto the string on the left (I had 17 total beads in the first loops so I strung on 17/2 + 0.5 = 9 beads.) and half the number of beads in the first loop - 0.5 beads onto the string on the right (17/2 - 0.5 = 8 beads.).
Then take the needle on the right string and insert it into the first bead on the left.
Pull to tighten, and this is what you should have.
Repeat the steps from the second loop to create the subsequent loops. Stop and don't complete the last loop when you're satisfied with the length of the bracelet; in my case, I stopped at 12 loops because I ran out of beads. ^^ Don't make the bracelet too long (make it shorter than your wrist circumference) to make room for the sliding closure.
To finish the last loop, tie a knot after stringing beads onto the left and right strings. Then tie two more for security and gently tug the loop to make sure the knots will hold. Dab some glue on the knot to secure it.
Before the glue has dried, insert the needle on the left through the bead to the right of the knot. Gently pull the thread until the knot is hidden inside that bead.
Cut the thread ends, and voilà -- one strand of loops done!
Repeat the previous steps to make a total of two strands of loops.
To connect the two beaded loop strands, start by inserting one into the first loop of the other (I'll refer to one loop as the light blue and the other as teal. In this case, I inserted the light blue into the teal.)
Then insert the light blue's other end into the second loop of the teal in front of it, and tug down to firmly pull the two strands together. Now the light blue is in front, and the teal is behind it.
Insert the teal into the third loop of the light blue, and tug down again.
Repeat these steps, always inserting the strand behind into the next loop of the strand in front.
When you've gone down the entire length of beaded loops, you should see this.
For the sliding closure, you'll need to attach some string to the ends of the beaded loops. Start by inserting one end of your string into the last loops.
Make an overhand knot to connect the string to the loops.
Cut and singe (or dab glue on) the loose tail from the knot.
Cut more that you need for mow (about 3").
Repeat for the other side.
Next you'll need to do macrame square knots for the sliding mechanism. See (http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Macrame-Square-Knots/) for a pretty good tutorial, or you can follow my pictures... Arrange the ends of your string like in the picture to the left and tie another piece of string around both like so.
Put the left part in front of the middle two strings and under the right part.
Bring the right string behind the center two strings and through the loop between the left string and the middle two.
Pull to tighten, and you should see this.
Bring the right string in front of the middle two strings and behind the left string.
Take the left string and put it behind the middle two strings and through the loop between the right string and the middle two strings.
Pull to tighten. Repeat those two knots, one after the other, until you're satisfied with the length of the sliding closure. I ended after 12 knots.
Cut and singe the two ends.
Put the bracelet on your wrist and estimate how long the two strings on the ends of the beaded strands should be (Mine are about 2".).
Add two beads to the ends (optional, really) and tie knots to prevent the beads from sliding off. Those knots are knot (heh) optional.
Cut and singe the string beyond the knot.
Now you have a beautiful new bracelet! Have fun and enjoy. ^^