One of the easiest to make and arguably one of the most popular types of bracelets is the elastic or stretch bracelets. And very convenient to wear as there are no clasps.
I thought I knew how to make elastic or stretch bracelets. I invariably end up with a large knot collection which then has to be hidden inside an adjacent large hole bead. I also use glue on the knot!
The UK based Bead Spider instructor shows a better and professional way of making these bracelets. No ugly accumulation of knots. No glue either.
What she does is to form a series of knots along the elastic, not one on top of the other. Only the last two knots are surgeon's knots - these are modified reef knots with an extra turn through the overhand knot. The surgeon's knots prevent slippage so there is no need for glue.
She also uses doubled up 0.5 mm elastic. This makes better sense than using 1 mm elastic as the thinner elastic lends itself well with the knotting process.
Some of you may be puzzled by what she calls a temporary needle. It is just a split needle or large hole beading needle like these. You can also get them over on Bead Spider if you are in the UK. Hers happens to have come apart and looks like a V. You could also bend a length of finer wire for the task so long as it will feed through the beads.
Before You Go:
- Easy Mala Bracelet Tutorial using Palo Santo Beads
- Easy Crystal and Chain Cuff Tutorial Uses Elastic Cord
- How to Bead Crochet a Ring using Elastic Tutorial
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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I'm with you on how I made elastic bracelets. I never liked them that much. This will really improve these in the future!
ReplyDeleteNeat! I'll have to try how it works!
ReplyDeleteI've repaired so many stretch bracelets, usually I've used beading wire and a clasp. I've never seen an elastic bracelet break at the knot, the knot is not the problem (knot-not, see what i did there) usually the elastic is worn through by the bead or the thread is dried out and brittle. I can't argue, elastic bracelets are so easy to wear, it makes them more attractive. I'm going to try this method just for kicks. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this tutorial
ReplyDelete