How to Craft: Charmed Cord Bracelet

The "charm" part of this bracelet can be made 2 different ways. You can thread on all the charms when you make it, or you can thread on jump rings, so that the charms can be added later. The first option is better for bracelets where you want to use many of one or two kinds of charms, such as leaves for an autumn or spring themed bracelet. The second choice is best if you want to make a traditional charm bracelet that can be added to over time, as the wearer's likes and hobbies change and expand. For simplicity, the word "charm" is used in this tutorial to mean either an actual charm or a jump ring.

You will need several feet of para cord (hemp or leather will also work), clasps or buckles, sturdy scissors, jump rings/charms, a ruler and a lighter. You also may find it useful to have a clipboard to fasten one end of the bracelet to while you are working, or something to pin it on. To determine how much cord you need, first, measure your wrist, and add ½ inch. The length of cord you will need is the same in feet as the length the finished bracelet needs to be in inches. In other words, if your wrist is 6.5 inches around, you will need about 7 feet of cord to make the bracelet.

Take your cord and fold it in half, so that the ends line up. Take the loop made by the fold and push it partway through the clasp, just enough so that you can slide the ends through it and create a slip knot over the clasp. Pull the ends tight. Place the ends through the other side of the clasp and pull through until the length is the same as your measurement. This is the Base. Check it on your wrist to make sure it is right, adjusting as needed. Place the end of the clasp with the ends of cord under the clip of the clipboard, without pinning down the cord ends.

Take the left end and slide it under the Base, then over the right strand. This will look a bit like the number 4 with 2 lines coming out of the opening. Slide a charm onto the right strand, then place the end of the right strand through the loop created on the left side of the Base and pull taut. Adjust the charm, as needed, until it is where you want it to be. Take the right strand and pass it under the Base, then over the left strand. Add a charm to the left strand, and slide the left end into the loop on the right side and pull taut. Repeat this process until you reach the other side of the clasp. After the final knot, cut the cord off about ¼ inch above the bracelet and carefully use the lighter to just melt the ends to the Base at the clasp.