Tips & Tricks: Stretch Bracelet Tutorial

This was a tutorial I made over a year ago...but I didn't have the chance to post it on this blog. Anyhoo, here it is! One of the first few DIY projects I will be making and sharing to all of you! Enjoy and don't hesitate to ask questions or drop thoughts on the comment section below. :D

Stretch bracelets are very versatile and easy to wear and perhaps the easiest to make. But over time, the stretch cord will break or loosen because doing a random knot to secure the piece will just not do it. Learn how to properly tie an elastic or nylon to make your stretch bracelets last longer!

For this project, gather the following materials: Stretch Cord/Elastic/Nylon, Scissors, Colorful Beads, Bails, Charms and Jumprings.

I have already attached the charms on bails as seen in the pic below. Now for those who don't know how to do this, I will be making a tutorial showing you the proper way to attach charms on bails, chains, etc using different kinds of methods. :)

Sea themed charms!

Tutorial on bails in another post. :)

1. Start off by cutting 15 inches of stretch cord. This will give enough allowance to make the knots in the end.

2. Bead Away! String colorful beads and charms. The design is entirely up to you! :) You can use beads of different shapes and sizes or like me, add a touch of charms.

Here's what I did with mine. Since the beads I'm using remind me so much of a colorful fiesta in the summer, I gave this piece turtles, fishes, shells and a pair of slippers.

3. Knotting. This is the tricky part. To tie the bracelet, we will be doing two sets of knots. So, take the left free end of the stretch cord and cross it OVER the right end (refer to the photo below).

Take the same end (left) and go UNDER the right free end.

You should have this knot.

4. Repeat Step3. Again, take the left free end (the one you're holding on the right hand now) and then go over and under the right free end. *are you still with me? hehe..*

The first set of knots is already finished and your knot should now look like this.

5. Now, gently pull the free ends in the direction shown in the photo below.

This should tighten the first knot, like so:

6. Second Set of Knots. Next, you should hold the strings like how it is shown on the picture below. This will ensure that the first set of knots will be nice and tight while we will be making the second set.

Holding the strings like this keep the first set of knots nice and tight

while you work on the second or top set.

Again, take the left free end, go OVER and UNDER to make the first knot (of the second set).

 Remember to keep the first set nice and tight.

7. Now make the second and last knot (of the second set) by taking the left free end and going OVER and UNDER the right free end.

 The two sets of knots are already completed. You should have something that looks like this.

8. Now gently pull the free ends in the direction shown in the picture below.

Secure the knot and make it super tight.

Here's a closer look at the final knot. NOTE: Now this in itself will already hold the whole bracelet together. However, you can add super glue or "melt" this knot using a slender soldering rod if you want that extra hold.

9. Cut off the excess stretch cord with a pair of scissors.

10. Hide the knot under a bead or bail.

Ninja knot.. --,

And voila! You're done!

Hope you were able to follow and had fun making this little project.I know the knot part was pretty intense not because it was difficult, but because I suck at describing how it should be done! Sorry. We will be posting more beading tutorials in the coming weeks so maybe I'll get better at this? :)

Enjoy and don't forget to add your own creativity into these bracelets!