How to Make Beaded Wrap Bracelets (Simple & Easy)

Bracelets have been a popular fashion accessory in countless cultures across much of human history, and that popularity hasn’t diminished at all in the current day and age. From simple beaded strands and charm bracelets to layered bangles and cuffs, there are many varieties of bracelets that people can mix, match, and pair with every outfit under the sun to showcase their unique style and fashion preferences. But many people don’t want to stop at buying their own bracelets; they want to enjoy the creative process of making them too!

In the detailed how-to guide below, our artisan jewelry experts from LaCkore Couture will explore the various steps you’ll need to follow to make your very own bead wrap bracelets. These fashion accessories feature a simple but highly versatile design that can allow people to develop a seemingly endless amount of combinations by changing the color of their cords, the type, size, and the number of beads, as well as the number of times they can wrap around the wrist. 

Related: 5 Unique Women’s Beaded Bracelets For Stylish Women 

What Will You Need For Your Bracelet?

If you want to create your own braided wrap bracelet, you’ll need to have a wide selection of essential tools and materials to get the job done. These include;

Tools & Equipment

• A flexible measuring tape
• A clipboard
• Scissors (optional)
• Painter’s tape or masking tape
• A thread burner
• Side cutters or flush cut wire cutters
• A size ten beading needle

Materials

• Bead thread (at least 6-pound tensile strength, the amount will vary depending on each bracelet)
• At least 72 inches of 2mm round leather cord
• One 17mm round metal button
• 45 4mm Czech fire-polished glass beads in three different colors (15 of each color, we’ll refer to the three colors as A, B, and C)
• 30 3mm magatama beads in two different colors (15 of each color, we’ll refer to the two colors as D and E)
• 6 inches of C-Lon beading cord (optional)

Making an Easy Beaded Wrap Bracelet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Now that you have all of the needed materials, it’s time to begin the bracelet DIY process! Carefully follow the steps below, and you should have a gorgeous new piece of personalized jewelry to help show off your unique sense of style in no time at all.

Step 1: Measure Your Wrist and Cut Your Leather Cord

 

Before cutting anything, the first thing you’ll want to do is wrap the measuring tape around your wrist multiple times- as many times as you’d like your bracelet to wrap. For example, if you want the bracelet to wrap around your wrist three times, wrap the measuring tape around your wrist three times too! Adjust the tape so it’s slightly looser than you want your bracelet to be to account for the thickness of the beads you’ll add later.

We recommend using this essential guide to help you know where to conduct your wrist measurements for the best results. 

For this tutorial, we’ll use a wrist measurement of 24 inches.

Once you have your measurement, add 12 inches, and then double that number to get the length of cord you’ll need to cut. We added 24 inches + 12 inches to get 36 inches and doubled that to get 72 inches. This figure should give you more cord than you’ll need for your bracelet, but it will provide you with a lot of room to make your final knots without encountering any problems.

Next, cut your cord with your side cutters to finish the first step.

Step 2: String and Secure Your Button

Take your cord and thread it up through one hole in your metal button and then back down through the other hole. Adjust the button’s position until it’s centered on your cord. Once centered, use your clipboard to hold everything in place by clamping down on the button end of the cord. This tactic will allow you to begin working on the more intricate parts of the bracelet without constantly needing to hold or adjust everything.

Once secured, use your side cutters to cut off a strand of bead thread that’s at least two times the length of your arm. Though it’s more challenging to work with a longer thread, it will reduce the number of times you’ll need to start a new thread. Thread your needle for double-strand beading in the middle of the bead thread piece while leaving the ends loose.

If you’re right-handed, tie your thread to the left cord that’s secured by the clipboard. Alternatively, tie the thread onto the right cord if you’re left-handed. Finally, use tape to hold down the thread tales and keep them out of the way.

Related: Popular Beaded Bracelets to Add to your Collection 

Step 3: String, Position, and Stitch Your First Bead

Pick up an A-colored bead with your needle, and then slide it down the thread. Pass the needle beneath both strands of the leather cord, and carefully use your finger to situate the bead between the two strands of cord. Then, pass the needle back through the bead on top of both leather cords, and hold the bead in place with your fingers while pulling the thread taut.

Pull the thread slowly and carefully to avoid tangles and knots, and make sure that both strands of your double strand of thread are pulled snug against the cord to keep the bead in place. If the threat starts to tangle, stop and straighten it out before the knot tightens. Once fixed, you can finally tighten the knot to secure the first bead.

Step 4: Slide the First Bead into Place

Now that the first bead is secured, you can slide it up a little closer to the clipboard’s clip. You’ll want to do this with the first several beads that you stitch so that your line of beadwork will start relatively close to the button and won’t leave a noticeable gap that can negatively impact the look of your completed bracelet.

Step 5: String, Position, and Stitch Your Second Bead

Using your needle, pick up a color B bead before sliding it down your thread. Pass the thread beneath both strands of the cord, as you did with the first bead, and use your fingers to push the bead between the two cords. At this point, the second bead should be parallel with the first one, and you can bring the strand back through the bead and over the cords until the thread is taut. 

The key is to use the same technique as you did to string and stitch the first bead of your bracelet. Once done, your thread should again pass over the top of the first cord strand, and you can push up your second bead to be flush with the first before pulling the thread taut again.

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Step 6: String, Position, and Stitch Your Third Bead

Stringing your third bead will follow the same process as the first two beads. Select a bead from color C, and pick it up with your needle before passing the thread back under the two cords and securing the bead between them. Take the thread up over the cord, back through the bead to add it to the lineup, and then push it up to touch the second bead without leaving significant gaps.

Step 7: Switch to Your D Color Beads

Now that you’ve added your first set of A, B, and C-colored beads, you can switch things up and add in your D-colored beads. Instead of picking up only one bead like you did when stinging the first three, you’ll want to use the needle to pick up three of the smaller, D-colored beads at once.

Once the three smaller beads are on the thread, follow the same pattern as the first three beads you added to your bracelet. 

Take the thread under the two cords, situate the grouping of three beads between the two cord strands, then pull the needle over the cored and back through the beads. Once strung, push the three beads until they touch the last C-colored bead. You can then select another A-colored bead and start the process over. Once you finish the next set of A, B, and C, you can stitch on a group of three E-colored beads, as you did for color D.

Step 8: End the First Thread

You’ll eventually run out of thread, and you’ll need to weave the end of the thread into the bracelet and start a new length when that happens. For this, turn over the bracelet beadwork, and pass the needle back through the last bead you stitched. Then, tie a knot by making a loop with the thread exiting the bead you just passed through, and pull the needle through the loop.

Turn the beadwork back over so that it’s right side up, and pass the needle back through the bead again before flipping the bracelet one more time. Then, pass the needle through the bead one final time. Finally, use your thread burner to remove both tails of the thread where they exit the bead and remove any excess thread that’s knotted around the leather cords. 

Related: How to Wear a Bracelet 

Step 9: Start a New Thread

Cut a new thread, tie it onto the leather cord as you did for the first thread, and then add your needle. You can then continue where you left off stringing your beads until your bracelet reaches your desired length.

Step 10: Finish The Bracelet

Once you have the right length of beading for your bracelet, end your final thread like you did the first one in step 8. Next, tie an overhand knot with both strands of the leather cord to close in the last bead. Be sure to pull it as tight as possible to keep it secure and prevent any beads from falling off the bracelet!

Using the button at the other end of the bracelet as a measuring guide, form a second overhand knot and aim to keep the space between the two knots slightly longer than the diameter of the button. You’ll want to ensure the button can fit between the two knots but won’t unexpectedly fall from between them. Finally, pull the second knot as tightly as possible to create a secure clasp for your button.

Congratulations! You now have your very own DIY beaded wrap bracelet! 

What Size Beads are Best for a Wrap Bracelet?

If you want that chick boho look, you’ll want to pick round beads that are 4-6mm. The beads should have a decent size hole for your needle to go through at least twice so you can reinforce the bead if it is loose. Crystal, gemstone, pearls, glass, and even wood beads would all be excellent choices for a DIY beaded wrap bracelet.

Once you finish your bracelet, shop our beaded bracelets to create a layer bracelet look that is super on trend right now.

How Do You Start A New Thread in the Middle of the Bracelet?

First off, you want to avoid running out of thread at all costs. It will weaken your bracelet if you need to start a new thread, so overestimate on your thread. Better to trim at the end than start a new thread.

That said, let’s fix your problem. Take your new thread, start two to three beads from where you ran out, and go through them again. Yup, you’ll have to go through some beads four times which might be challenging depending on the size of your beads or cord. You will notice the section that gets doubled up. But if you don’t want to start over (with more thread), then it is what it is.

Another option is tying the new thread with the old thread. Then try to hide the knot inside a bead. This might be challenging depending on where the two threads connect. Our best advice is to assess the situation and carry on.

Best Tips for Creating a DIY Beaded Wrap Bracelet

We’ve compiled a few additional tips for creating a DIY beaded wrap bracelet:

• Before you start, read the directions several times and watch video tutorials to understand the technique. It never hurts to stop and start a video tutorial to help walk you through the process.
• It’s helpful to lay out your beads in order, especially if you’re making a pattern, before you start the bracelet.
• Use thread conditioner to help prevent tangles and unintentional knots. This may seem a little extra, but it’s worth the effort.
• Don’t force the needle through the bead. If the bead's hole is too small for your needle, you may need to use a different needle or beads. Forcing a needle through can crack or break the bead if you aren’t careful.
• Continue to measure the bracelet around your wrist as you create the wrap bracelet to ensure the right length.
• Always have extra beads. You're better off to have too many beads than too few. Trust us.
• Maintain good thread tension. You want to be pulling firmly on the thread so that it stays tight and straight. But if you pull too tight, it can break, so don’t Hercules the thing. Don’t go too slack. This can create knots and tangles.
• For beads with larger holes, you may need to reinforce the beads by going through them two or three times so that the bead isn’t loose.
• Add a fun charm at the end to give it a touch of bling to create more interest.

Check out our favorite beaded bracelets that are on trend this season.

Related Link: How to Make a Beaded Bracelet

Final Thoughts to Keep in Mind

Our team of passionate jewelry experts from LaCkore Couture sincerely hope that our above how-to guide will help coach you through the process of creating your own beaded wrap bracelet tailored to your unique style and fashion preferences. If you would like access to other well-written jewelry resources, please consider browsing our wide selection of articles and blog posts. We offer information on everything from selecting the perfect jewelry for your high school sweetheart to the four C’s of diamond grading and even how to tell if your gold jewelry is the real deal!

Also, if you find out that making your own bracelet isn’t something you enjoy as much as you thought you would, please consider exploring our shop to find the perfect bracelet for your favorite outfit.

Are you looking to expand your accessory collection with a few new pieces of gorgeous and unique jewelry that you’ll be able to wear for years to come? Check out our massive selection of hand-crafted, artisan jewelry at LaCkore Couture today to locate your next favorite piece!