PROJECT 14: CRYSTAL CUBE MACRAMÉ BRACELET

I made this tutorial years ago, which explains the low quality images, when I was organizing my bead supplies and found the damaged beads that I collected and set aside over the years. When buying inexpensive wholesale materials, usually substandard materials are mixed in with the good, that’s why they’re cheaper. But though the damaged goods may seem useless as it cannot be used for pieces you intend to sell, it feels wasteful to throw them out. So here’s an inexpensive project to salvage those slightly damaged beads. You can either use them for yourself, your pet's collars, or sell them at a discounted price, depending on how well you make them. 

MATERIALS

26 PIECES SMALL CRYSTAL CUBES

ONE PIECE 15” NYLON CORD THREAD

ONE PIECE 45” NYLON CORD THREAD

CROSS STITCH NEEDLE

LIGHTER

SCISSORS 

STEP 1.

Start with the 15” cord. This will be the base of your bracelet; you may tape it on the table to prevent it from moving.

Get the 45” cord and fold in half. Mark the middle and put under the base cord. To start on square knot, bring the right cord over the base cord. Then bring the left cord over the right cord, under the base cord and through the loop formed by the right cord.

STEP 2.

Pull cords together until the knot tightens. Adjust the knot to leave about a 3” tail from the top.

STEP 3.

Bring the left cord over the base cord. Then bring the right cord over the left cord, under the base cord and through the loop formed by the left cord. Pull together until the knot tightens. Knots made from Steps 1 to 3 makes 1 square knot.

STEP 4.

Repeat steps 1 to 3 to create 2 square knots.

STEP 5.

Insert a bead on the base cord (15”) and slide up to the knot. Make one square knot, add in another bead, then another square knot. Repeat for all 24 beads.

STEP 6.

After the last bead, make two square knots instead of one.

STEP 7.

Take the cross stitch needle and insert the two cords through the eye. You can do one cord at a time if they’re too thick.

STEP 8.

Decide which will be the backside of your bracelet and thread in the needle back through the last knots, placing them in with the base cord, and pull to secure. Knots will loosen some so adjust as needed.

STEP 9.

Cut excess and melt ends with lighter to prevent fraying.

STEP 10.

Fold bracelet to make a circle and place cords parallel each other.

STEP 11.

Take the shorter of the two. Fold back to make a loop and wrap the two cords together.

STEP 12.

Wrap three times and put cord through the loop.

STEP 13.

Pull to tighten, adjust the knots as you pull to secure. This is a fixed knot that will anchor the longer cord, which will be adjustable. Find the right fit; make sure to have enough space for your hand to pass through.

Minimize length difference of the two cords by making the adjustable cord 1 centimeter longer. Mark the ideal length then wear it as usual to see if it fits. Adjust as needed, and then trim off excess.

STEP 14.

String in the last two beads on each ends of the bracelet. Knot the ends and melt with lighter to prevent fraying.

 

Now you’ve given those imperfect beads a new life!

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