These hemp bracelets are so cool looking! Use our step by step photo and video tutorials and learn how to make an easy braided hemp bracelet, perfect for beginners.
Hemp is a strong, natural fiber, great for making simple friendship bracelets and wish bracelets. And these DIY bracelets are also super stylish, great for men, women, and kids!
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How to Make Hemp Bracelets
Materials:
- Hemp cord (2mm size)
- 8 Mini barrel pony beads (colour of choice)
Equipment:
- Painter’s tape (or masking tape; optional)
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Cut your hemp cords and tie them together
- Cut 3 pieces of hemp cord to each be 16 inches long.
- Line the cords up and tie them together in a knot, leaving about 2 inches of cord above the knot.Tape the cords to your working surface to keep the bracelet in place.
Step 3: Braid the cords
- Begin your bracelet by making a simple braid.Bring the left cord over the center cord. Then bring the right cord over the new center cord. Then bring the left cord over the new center cord. Continue.
- Continue braiding until the braid is just over 2 inches long.
Step 4: Add beads to the bracelet
- Add a bead onto the left cord.
- Push the bead up next to the braid and bring it to the center.Bring the right cord to the center and then the left cord, securing the bead in place.
- Add another bead and repeat this pattern, until you’ve added all 8 beads.
Step 5: Continue braiding
- Continue braiding for another 2 inches, or until the top and bottom sections match in length.
- Tie another knot below the bottom braided section.
Step 6: Finish off the bracelet
- Remove the tape holding the bracelet in place and tie each top cord into a knot at the end. This will stop the cords from fraying.
- Cut the cords at the bottom so that they’re a bit longer than the ones at the top.
- Tie knots at the end of these cords as well.
- Your hemp bracelet is complete! Wrap it around your wrist and tie it in a double knot to keep it in place.
Helpful Tips:
- You can create a pattern with the beads, alternating between different colours and/or sizes.
- If you don’t want to work at a table, attach the top of the bracelet to a clipboard for a portable craft. You can also pin the knot to a corkboard.
How much cord is needed to make hemp bracelets?
To make the braided hemp bracelet you’ll need 4 feet (48 inches) of hemp total. For the fully beaded bracelet, start with 5 feet (60 inches) of cord.
The exact amount of cord needed will depend on the size of your bracelet. These hemp bracelets fit a wrist that’s about 7 inches around. If your wrist is larger than that, you’ll need more cording. If your wrist is smaller, you may want to make your bracelet smaller and trim away the extra cord.
How do I make an all-bead hemp bracelet?
To make the all-bead hemp bracelet start by cutting 3 cords to each be 20 inches long. Tie them together, leaving about 2-1/2 inches of cord above the knot.
Immediately start adding beads, the same way as described in the braided bracelet tutorial. Add beads until your bracelet is long enough to fit around your wrist. Follow the same instructions above to finish off the bracelet.
What type of beads are best for decorating hemp bracelets?
We used 5mm plastic barrel beads (like a small pony bead), but you can use pretty much any type of bead. Just keep in mind that if you use larger beads you’ll probably need to start with longer cords.
Wooden beads are the perfect accent for hemp bracelets. They’re lightweight, eco-friendly, and they add to the natural and rustic look of the cord.
Metal beads also complement hemp bracelets well. They’re durable, and you can find them in a number of different metals, shapes, and textures.
You can also personalize your bracelet by adding a sterling silver charm to the center, or decorate it with gemstone beads or glass seed beads for a pop of colour.
Can I make this DIY bracelet with another type of cord?
You can make this style of bracelet using thin jute or cotton macrame cord. You can also buy waxed jewelry cord to make these bracelets, or use embroidery floss.
Can hemp cord get wet?
Yes, it’s okay for hemp cord to get wet, since it’s a mildew resistant fiber. In fact, getting the bracelet wet will actually make it softer.
However, keep in mind that prolonged exposure to water will eventually weaken the fibers of the bracelet and may cause it to fray or break. It will take a long time to get to this point, though.
These hemp bracelets may have a rustic look to them, but the bracelet cord is actually very soft! Make one of these boho bracelets using one of our easy patterns. It’s a fun and affordable craft, perfect for a group activity at summer camp.
Here’s even more jewelry craft ideas:
Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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