DIY: How to Make a Beaded Macrame Bracelet

Did you make jewelry crafts at summer camp?  I was reminiscing about my days of twisting lanyards into wearable art in 5th grade this week.  I thought I would present a quickie macrame bracelet DIY to refresh your memories.  This one is based on a basic square knot technique.  If you don't have the patience to read, you can also watch the tutorial video I made with About.com.

To make this project, you are going to need:

·         Scissors

·         A board and something to pin your project to

·         Some lengths of cord

·         Beads large enough to fit your chords through

·        A button

Anchor Cords to Begin Making Your Bracelet

To start, you are going to have two lengths of 48-inch cords, and you are going to fold the two lengths like the first photo. Then you are going to tie a knot to create a loop. Next, you are going to pin it to your board, and this is how you're going to anchor your project. You are going to stick your loop against the pin and separate your cords. You are going to have two center cords, and you can take this down. 

Start Knotting and Adding Beads

Next, you are going to begin a knotted technique for your macramé bracelet. You start with one under and one over and pull. You alternate your knots going over and then under the two center cords. Then you are going under and over and this is known as a square knot.

When you are ready for your first bead, you are going to take your center two cords and pull them through your first bead. You are going to continue your knotting around the bead. So you're going to grab  your cord again and go under and over right around the bead and keep knotting again.

Finish Your Beaded Macrame Bracelet

When you are ready to end your bracelet, take your cords and put them through the buttonholes. Take your cords and knot off the ends and pull the knot tight. Trim off the excess length. When you're ready to wear your DIY macrame bracelet, you put your button through the loop that you made, and there you have it!

If you want to create an entire arm party, you can add this set of bracelets to complete the look.