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Beaded Braided Bracelets

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Did you and your friends try our Friendship Bracelets last summer?  Why not try these variations, some of the same braids are used but this time interlinked with beads.

Variation of beads
We used an assortment of wooden beads to give a 'folksy' feel but think how different and delicate they would look if you used pretty glass or plastic beads.
All three bracelets start and finish in the same way to make the fastener - a bead threaded through a loop.
We used crochet thread this time - slightly thicker than the embroidery silk used last time. We have stiffened the ends of the thread to make it easier to thread them through the beads.

Equipment
Crotchet cotton to match or contrast with beads.
An assortment of beads - wooden, plastic or glass with a large enough hole to thread the crotchet cotton through. Available from craft and handicraft shops. WH Smith & Early Learning sometimes have wooden beads.
Sharp scissors.
Pins or masking tape - to hold the work steady.
PVA glue (children's water based glue)

Childrens Holiday Project - Tying the knot
Getting Started

All the bracelets start with the threads folded double whether there are 2 or 4 threads. Cut the threads to the size stated for the bracelet you are going to make.

Fold them in half and thread a medium sized bead on, sliding it up to the half way point of the thread(s).

Tie a knot directly under the bead making sure the knot is in the middle of the bead. (See Pic). This makes your fastening bead. You are now ready to start your chosen bracelet. Stiffening the thread, run the end of each piece of thread through a little PVA glue and leave to dry. Now the thread will easily slip through the beads. When working the cylinder beads bracelet stiffen the ends in pairs.

Length guide
Measure your wrist and cut a strip of paper this length, use this as a guide as you braid.

Choose Your Bracelet

Purple bead flat side view
Purple Bracelet
This bracelet is made by threading beads through a double thread, this makes 'tramlines' down each side of the beads. We used flat oval beads but it works just as well with round or square.
Purple Bracelet Sliding a Bead on to the bracelet
picture 1		Blue cylinder bracelet adding a bead
picture 2

  • Cut 1 thread 150cm long.
  • Stiffen ends.
  • Thread a fastening bead on
  • Tape this bead to a work surface -not the dining room table! Or pin to an old cushion.
  • Separate the two threads one to each side.
  • Slide a bead onto the left hand thread, then thread the right hand thread through the bead in the opposite direction. (See Picture 1)
  • Pull tight up to the fastening bead.
  • Repeat this step until the bracelet is long enough to go around your wrist.
  • When you have completed the bracelet to the length you require tie a knot close to the end of your pattern.
  • Leave a gap just wide enough for the fastening bead to go through and tie another knot.
  • Add a bead if you wish and tie again. (See picture 2)
Blue Bracelet
Blue bead with blue string
This bracelet is made with beads threaded between a section of flat knotting
Blue Bracelet Pic 1
picture 1		Blue bracelet pic 2
picture 2

  • Cut 2 threads 125cm long.
  • Stiffen ends.
  • Thread fastening bead on separate the threads into one on the left, one on the right and two together in the centre.
  • Make a loop with the left thread over the centre two and thread the right hand thread over the left, under the centre ones and up through the loop, pull up tight. (See Pic 1)
  • Repeat using the right thread to make the loop. (See Pic 2)
  • Repeat this sequence - left then right for 6 knots.
  • Thread a bead onto all threads.
  • Repeat the braiding sequence - 6 knots.
  • Thread another bead.
  • Carry on until your bracelet is the required length.
  • When you have completed the bracelet to the length you require tie a knot close to the end of your pattern.
  • Leave a gap just wide enough for the fastening bead to go through and tie another knot.
  • Add a bead if you wish and tie again. (See pic 3) 

Purple Bracelet Adding a Bead
Picture 3

Blue Cylinder beads on purple thread bracelet
Blue bead with purple string
The last bracelet uses both small and chunky beads with sections of twisted knots the same as the Twister bracelet last year.
Purple bead bracelet
picture 1

  • Cut 2 threads 120cm long.
  • Stiffen ends.
  • Thread on fastening bead.
  • Work 10 knots as the twister bracelet using 2 threads to knot.
  • Thread a small bead then a large chunky one then another small one over all threads - the small bead will stop the large on travelling up and down the bracelet.
  • Work another sequence of knots.
  • Add small, chunky, small bead.
  • Continue with this sequence until bracelet is required length.
  • When you have completed the bracelet to the length you require tie a knot close to the end of your pattern.
  • Leave a gap just wide enough for the fastening bead to go through and tie another knot.
  • Add a bead if you wish and tie again. (See pic 1)

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