Leather Bracelets: Step-by-step instructions for 33 leather cuffs, bracelets and bangles with knots, beads, buttons and charms

By Nihon Vogue-Sha

Thirty-three easy-to-make designs—from friendship bracelets to a braided metallic cuff. Mix and match to create your own personal style!
 
Make the most of one of today’s hottest jewelry trends with Leather Bracelets, a collection of thirty-three beautiful beaded, knotted, and braided accessories that would be at home on the shelves of the most stylish designer boutiques. Gorgeous worn alone but even more stylish stacked, these bracelets can be made with readily available leather cord and findings and a few basic jewelry-making tools. Each hand-crafted bracelet can be made unique just by changing the colors and chosen charms or beads. Sized precisely to fit the recipient, these bracelets are sure to please!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9780811768290

Book preview

Styling Inspiration

The bracelets in this book are designed to be layered. The following guide showcases some of my favorite combinations. Have fun mixing and matching these bracelets to create your own unique style.

The Natural Collection

The natural materials used in these bracelets complement the bright amazonite beads.

Four-Strand Round Braid Bracelet

Heap Bracelet

Herringbone Braid Bracelet

Wrapped Friendship Bracelet

Beaded Collage Bracelet

Three-Strand Braid Friendship Bracelet

The Leather Collection

Combine thinly braided bracelets with a couple of chunky designs worked in neutral colors.

Beaded Barrel Stitch Rope Bracelet

Heap Bracelet

Herringbone Braid Bracelet

Beaded Collage Bracelet

Three-Strand Braid Friendship Bracelet

Three-Strand Braid Friendship Bracelet

Wrapped Friendship Bracelet

The Coordinated Collection

Make the same bracelet in several different colors. These designs also work well as anklets.

Three-Strand Braid Friendship Bracelet

Micro macrame cord is available in a wide variety of colors.

The Colorful Collection

These colorful bracelet designs work well together because they all have a similar width.

Beaded Lark’s Head Knot Bracelet

Beaded Lark’s Head Knot Bracelet

Beaded Square Knot Friendship Bracelet

Three-Strand Braid Friendship Bracelet

Beaded Collage Bracelet

Beaded Spiral Knot Bracelet

Three-Strand Braid Cuff

Perfect for beginners, this project uses the basic three-strand braid technique, which is explained in detail in the guide on Technique Overview: Braiding. Although this design is quick and simple to make, doubled strands of round leather cord provide a sophisticated look.

Materials

Refer to the color combination chart below for each bracelet variation.

•2 mm round vintage leather cord

– One 27 ½" (70 cm) long piece

– Two 23 ¾" (60 cm) long pieces

•0.7 mm micro macrame cord

– One 15 ¾" (40 cm) long piece

•One 2.5 x 10 x 17 mm oval metal fastener (with 3 mm diameter hole)

Techniques

Three-strand braid

Wrapped knot

Overhand knot

Finished Size

8" (20.5 cm) long

Color Combination Chart

Construction Steps

1. Fold the longer leather cord in half.

2. Align the two shorter leather cords. Position the center of these two leather cords underneath the center of the longer leather cord, about ¾" (2 cm) from the fold.

3. Work the three-strand braid for 6 ¼" (16 cm), adjusting the length if necessary.

4. Make a ⅜" (1 cm) wrapped knot using the micro macrame cord.

5. Trim four of the six leather cords.

6. Thread the fastener onto the two remaining leather cords.

7. Make an overhand knot and trim the cord ends.

Technique Overview: Braiding

1. Fold the longer leather cord in half. Pin to your work surface.

2. Align the two shorter leather cords. Position the center of these two cords underneath the center of the longer cord, about ¾" (2 cm) from the fold. To start the braid, bring A over B.

3. Bring C over A.

4. Follow the process used in step 2 to bring the left section over the center section.

5. Follow the process used in step 3 to bring the right section over the center section.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, tightening the braid as you work.

7. Continue braiding until work measures 6 ¼" (16 cm) or your desired length.

8. Group the leather cords together. Make a 2–2 ½ (5–6 cm) loop at the end of the micro macrame cord.

9. Position the micro macrame cord at the base of the braid and wrap B around the leather cord ends for ⅜" (1 cm). Make sure there are no gaps between wraps.

10. Insert B into the loop.