Wrapped Bracelet
28 December 2013
A simple bracelet made by winding fine French threads around cotton cord. We've used pastels and bright copper for an aura of Art Deco.
YOU'LL NEED:
- 50 " (125 cm) braided cotton rope (or cord) 1/4 " (6mm)
- Thread in various colors
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Bulldog clip
STEP ONE
Cut four 30 cm (12") pieces of of braided cotton cord. Clip the end of one of them to the edge of a table.
STEP TWO
Cut two 100 cm (40") pieces of of each of the coloured threads you want to use.
STEP THREE
Attach all coloured threads to the cord by folding them double, holding the folded end below the cord to create a loop and pulling the cut ends through the loop.
STEP FOUR
Choose the colour you want to start with and take hold of what is now all four strands of it. Start wrapping it around the cord and all the other threads. Wind them neatly along each other. make sure it's firm and even but don't pull it too tight as that will create lumps.
STEP FIVE
All the coloured sections can be different lengths, so after winding around the cord for a time you can change colour. Take the old colour with one hand and the new colour with your other. Start winding around all with the new colour, making sure the old gets tucked tightly under.
STEP SIX
Switch and mix colours as much as you like. If you run out of a colour you can attach new threads by using the knot in step three. Hold the threads with a bulldog clip to free up your hands while doing this..
STEP SEVEN
Keep wrapping around till you have around 25 cm (10"), then tie the threads you were winding with an overhand knot to one of the other coloured threads.
STEP EIGHT
Repeat step three to seven for the other three cords, so you have four cords with thread wound around. You can make every cord the same or completely different - this is what will make your bracelet unique.
STEP NINE
Cut four pieces of 100 cm (40") of your favourite coloured thread and lay them folded double.
STEP TEN
Take two of your wrapped cords and whilst holding them alongside each other, bend them in a 'U'.
STEP ELEVEN
Attach the four threads 2.5 cm (1") from the bend using the knot in step 3. Wind the thread around all 4 cords for around 0.8 cm (0.3").
STEP TWELVE
To tie these threads off take half the threads for half a wrap around, pulling them in between the cords. Tie them to the other half using a regular overhand knot.
STEP THIRTEEN
Repeat step 10-12 for the other two wound cords but this time make the 'U' through the loop you created in the other two cords.
STEP FOURTEEN
Cut two 1mtr pieces of coloured thread. Attach and wind these around all four cords 6 cm from the previous step, for about 0.5 cm. Tie the ends to make a join as in step twelve, but don't cut the thread.
STEP FIFTEEN
Cut off the two middle cords 5 mm from this last join.
STEP SIXTEEN
Cut off the excess cord from the outer two, 5 mm from their own winding. Bend these ends in to the middle.
STEP SEVENTEEN
Use the thread remaining from step 14 and wind around the folded ends to create a sort of fishtail. When you run out of thread, just attach as much as you need to finish wrapping around the fishtail.
STEP EIGHTEEN
Repeat step 14 on the other end. Cut the top three cords off 5mm above the winding.
STEP NINETEEN
Trim surplus cord from the end of the remaining long piece and bend it in a loop. With your thread wind around all four. Here too when you run out of thread attach as much new thread as you need to neaten up the end.
STEP TWENTY
To fasten the bracelet push the fishtail ends together and pull them through the loop. Push them back outward and you are done.