Like the ones you made at camp (only better!)

Hi friends! Do you remember making friendship bracelets? I remember spending lazy summer days at camp and with my cousins with stands of embroidery floss perpetually pinned to my jeans. We would sit for hours knotting and braiding beautiful bracelets. More often than not (or “knot” I should say) I’d end up in a tangle of messy strands. You can eliminate the tangles by using satin cord (AKA Rat-tail) to make your bracelets and you can save your jeans (and not have to walk around with half-finished bracelets pinned to your leg) by using a braiding disk. You can use a store-bought one or make your own from cardboard. Here is what you will end up with:

I used 2mm Rat-Tail cord from our sponsor Papermart for my example because that is a staple supply I always have on hand. If you are planning on only doing these bracelets with the cords I would recommend the thinner 1mm cord because you could get fancier with the braiding using more cords and color. The thinner stuff is also cheaper but pick the cord that will suit all of your needs because you get gobs and gobs of cord on that roll! Here are the other supplies you will need:

• End caps or cones and a clasp. I used some flat end cones but you can find glue-on end caps for Kumihimo braids that would be even easier, I opted to use what I had on hand.
• Glue
• Pliers/wire cutter
• Wire
• Scissors

I will show you step-by-step in this video how to make a Kumihimo spiral bracelet with 8 strands. There are many other designs you can make with this cord and braiding disk so if you really enjoy this you can find more ideas online! I think this is a really relaxing craft.

Directions:

1. Cut 5 feet of turquoise and brown cord. Fold in half twice and knot. You will have 8 strands.
2. Insert knot in the center of the braiding dish and separate strands in groups of 2 as I demonstrate in the video.
3. Create the braid by moving the strings to different positions and turning the wheel as shown in the video.
4. Finish by attaching ends and a clasp.

You can make these longer for necklaces too! You can also start the cord by knotting the strands together and work just as I did and knot it when you are done. You can add the end caps and clasp in the future. You can also try this with other string, just be sure to keep the ends loose and untangled or wind them on bobbins so they don’t get snarled up. I hope you try the zen craft, it is a great way to pass the time on a lazy day or while watching TV. It’s just pain fun too! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!