DIY Macrame Bracelet With Beads

Secure the 15-inch central cord onto the clipboard using the paper clips. Leave out 4 inches of cord at the top clip. This will be your main cord for the bracelet.

Fold the 60-inch cord in half to find the center.

Place the center under the main cord, creating two equal lengths on each side.

The square knot is one of the most basic and versatile knots in macrame. It’s created by using three or four strands: two outer working cords and one or two inner filler/central cords.

Using the 60-inch cord, create 4 square knots at the beginning of the bracelet. This will be the starting section before adding the beads.

Place the left working cord over the central cord.

Pass the right working cord over the left cord and under the central cord and through the loop created by the left working cord.

Pull tight to complete the first half of the square knot.

Then repeat the same steps for the other half of the square knot.

Place the right working cord over the central cord.

Pass the left working cord over the right cord and under the central cord and through the loop created by the right working cord.

Pull tight to complete the second half of the square knot.

Right now you have 1 square knot. Repeat 3 more square knots.

The easiest way to work a beaded bracelet is threading all the beads at once and the work each as they are needed.

So I like to start and finish with a small bead, you can start with the large one. It’s just a preference.

Then I alternated one small, one large, one small, one large and so on and so forth until if had inserted all the beads except for the tail ones.

Push a small bead and slide it up to the last knot you made.

The cords go around the beads on the sides.

Make 2 square knots with the 60-inch cord below the bead to secure it in place.

Push a large bead and slide it up to the last set of knots.

Again, make 2 square knots below the bead to secure it.

Alternate between small and large beads, securing each bead with 2 square knots. Continue this pattern until you reach the desired length for your bracelet.

You can use more or less beads as you see fit.

After adding the final bead, create again 4 square knots to finish the main section of the bracelet.

Trim and secure the leftover cords from the 60-inch line.

Use a lighter or glue to seal the ends of the nylon cord to prevent the knots from getting undone.

The sliding knot is a practical knot used for making adjustable closures on bracelets and necklaces. It allows you to adjust the size of your jewelry piece easily.

To make the bracelet adjustable, overlap the ends of the main cord.

Use a separate piece of cord (around 5-8 inches) to tie square knots around both ends of the bracelet, forming a loop. This will create the sliding mechanism.

Typically, 6-8 square knots should be enough.

Trim any excess cord, leaving 2 small tails on each side of the sliding knot. Use a lighter or glue to seal the ends of the nylon cord to prevent the knots from getting undone.

Insert a small bead onto each tail of the bracelet.

Tie a Franciscan knot right at the end of each tail to secure the bead in place and avoid the tail from sliding out of the closure.

The Franciscan knot, also known as the barrel knot, is simple and decorative:

Loop the cord around your finger or a dowel, creating a loop with a long tail.

Wrap the tail around the loop and the cord itself several times.

Pull the main cord carefully towards the tip making sure each loop gets closer together while holding the tip tight then finally pull tight to secure the knot.

Slide the closure to adjust the bracelet to your desired size. If you pull both sides of the bracelet you will open it so you can slide your hands.

Then hold one tail between your fingers and your palm and pull the other tail until it fits your wrist.

Your macrame bracelet is now ready to wear!