DIY Beaded Yoga Bracelet

 

            In everything there are trends, and workout is no exception, but even in the specific types of workouts there are trends. For a while Crossfit has been all over leggings and deadlift socks, Zumba is capitalizing on the bright color fad that is sweeping the nation, every gym has at least one woman who has tried to make her own racerback tank out of an old t-shirt, and what would mud runs be without tutus? Lately in yoga class, on pinterest when you look up yoga, and in any store that sells yoga stuff we are seeing the beautiful trend that is beaded wrap bracelets. Some of these bracelets sell from commercial vendors for well into the triple digits and people buy them! Not me, I spent a few dollars at the craft store, put on my favorite 1970’s British sitcom, and brushed up on my middle-school friendship bracelet making skills.

            Note: I made this bracelet with contrasting blue embroidery thread so that you could see more clearly how it was constructed.

            What you need:

                        Cording – 2mm Leather or fabric

                        Embroidery thread in the color of your choice

                        Beads

                        Two needles – you can get beading needles, I used sewing ones because I had them laying around

                        A Button

            Lets get started! Unroll some of your cording and fold it in half, from the folded end, holding both sides together measure it so that it is long enough to wrap 4x around your wrist (for a triple wrap bracelet. 3x around for a double) and, after making sure that both ends are long enough, cut the tails.

An inch or so in from the folded end dependent on the size of your button, tie a knot to make a loop. Bigger buttons need bigger loops and smaller buttons need smaller loops. Now cut a piece of embroidery thread about 4-5 feet long. I have extremely dainty wrists and use about 4 feet for a triple wrap bracelet. Split your embroidery thread into two by peeling it apart so that there are 3 strands of thread in each side. Tie the ends together and tie them under your knot on your main cordage. 

To secure, use this knot that is common in making paracord bracelets. The picture is not mine, I found it using google and It links back to the place that I found it. It is a fantastic and simple visual of how to tie this knot except the two larger cords would be the inside cords and the embroidery thread would be forming the knot around the main cords.

 

To add the beads! I pin the loop down with a safety pin when I’m making these bracelets and then put needles on the ends of the embroidery thread to make beading easier. As you can see, cords A and B in black are stationary, and the embroidery thread, referred to here as “right” and “left” do the moving. Embroidery thread “right” loops under cord B, through the bead, and over cord A. Embroidery thread “left” loops over thread right, under cord A, through the bead, over cord B, and under cord right. Pull both strands of thread to tighten the knot and secure the bead between the cords. You now have a new “right” and “left” thread and can start this step over until you’ve reached the desired length. Probably 2 inches short of the beads connecting when the bracelet is wrapped around your wrist 3 times.

To hold it together add a few more of the paracord knots with just the thread and then add the button. First, wrap it around your wrist to gauge exactly where the button belongs and feel free to add more paracord knots if they are needed so that the button is in the right place. For this bracelet I used the same knot that I did to attach beads, only going in and out of the oles in the button instead of bead hole. Then two more solid knots of all four strands together and snip the ends of the cords and thread before wearing your lovely beaded bracelet.

If you’re aiming to be more natural you can get different thicknesses of leather cording and not use embroidery thread. You can also get beads made out of wood, jade, or other natural materials. The vegan yogis can easily substitute animal and earth friendly cords for this project. I have tried it with both, the leather and jade make a heavier and less flexible bracelet but the bead and synthetic cording is so light you almost don’t notice it, plus it is more water friendly than leather.

I admit that I am not sure how well I explained these knots in this tutorial so if this is not as clear as you would like it to be then let me know and I will see if I can make a video of me creating this bracelet to make it easier on everyone.

What color combinations would you love this beaded bracelet in? Share below, please!