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How to Make a Three-Strand Stretch Bracelet

Making your own one-of-a-kind three-strand bracelet is easy and inexpensive.
bracelets au pluriel image by Francis Lempérière from Fotolia.com

A three-strand stretch bracelet is an accessory that every woman should have to complement her wardrobe. Depending on the materials used for the bracelet it can range from casual and earthy to glamorous and sophisticated. Elastic thread makes a clasp unnecessary while making the bracelet simple to put on. Making your own multistrand bracelet is not as difficult or costly as you might think. With a few materials you can make a stunning or casual accessory for your wardrobe that truly is one of a kind.

Making your own one-of-a-kind three-strand bracelet is easy and inexpensive.
bracelets au pluriel image by Francis Lempérière from Fotolia.com

Things You'll Need:

  • Scissors
  • Beads
  • 2 Pair Of Hemostats Or Locking Pliers
  • Beading Mat
  • 1-Millimeter Elastic Thread
  • 3-Strand Metal Separators
Prearrange the bead pattern you want on a bead mat.
beads image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com

Lay your beads out on a beading mat in the order you want to thread them onto the elastic. Place a three-stand separator at least every 2 inches.

Cut your lengths of elastic thread to fit your wrist.
scissors image by dinostock from Fotolia.com

Cut three lengths of 1-millimeter elastic thread large enough to fit around your wrist. Pinch three of the ends with locking pliers or hemostats with the long ends open. The elastic makes cutting your elastic to fit around your hand unnecessary.

Clamp three ends of the elastic with a hemostat or locking pliers.
hemostats and clamps image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com

Thread the three strands of elastic through the three holes in the metal separator. It will take some coordination to hold and string all once; just keep a firm hold on the ends that are not clamped and thread the separator one thread at a time.

Strand the beads one at a time, alernating threads.
bead on a plastic wire image by cirikate from Fotolia.com

Thread the beads one at a time onto the elastic strands. Alternate the strands so that the beads are even and follow the pattern you have laid out on the beading mat.

Having two sets of hemostats or locking pliers will make things easier for you to hold while working.
Stock pictures of hemostats used in surgical practice image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com

Clamp two of the open ends of the elastic stands with the second pair of locking pliers or hemostats, holding the last open strand in your hand.

Release one strand of the beaded thread on the first set of clamped ends, keeping the other two firmly clamped with the locking pliers or hemostats.

Tie the two ends of the first strand of elastic together by wrapping the strands together around your forefinger, tucking the tails through the loop with your opposite thumb and forefinger and pulling them tight, just like tying a balloon. Repeat this with the remaining two strands to complete the bracelet.

Cut any long ends of the elastic off to within 1/4 inch.

Tip

A rubber beading mat will keep your beads from rolling while you are trying to juggle three strands at a time. It also has a ruler on it so you can measure as you lay out your beads.

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