How to Make Twisted Bandana Necklaces

Making bandana necklaces is a way to create individualized and intricate designs for you and your friends. A twisted bandana necklace only cost a few dollars for the scarves and requires about 10 to 20 minutes to complete the project. Knowing how to make your own twisted bandana necklace may also open up the door for other craft ideas as you develop self-confidence regarding your creative abilities.

Select bandanas in three different colors for the necklace. The finished necklace has the appearance of a spiraled braid, so keep this look in mind while you are selecting the colors.

Cut a 1/2-inch-wide strip from each of the bandanas. If the bandana is not square, cut this strip from the longer side.

Soak each strip briefly in a cup of water. Remove the strip from the water, and squeeze as much water out of the strip as possible. The water helps make a tighter braid with the fabric as well as prevent it from fraying.

Insert one end of a wet bandana strip in your mouth or hold it down with your big toe, pressing it against the floor. Twist the strip as tightly as possible. To get a tighter twist, wrap the free end of the bandana strip around a small stick to add extra torque. Release the stick from the free end once you have twisted the bandana strip. Repeat this step for all three strips.

Make a loop with all three strips held together, and then pass the strips back through the loop so that it forms an overhand knot.

Hold the knotted end in your teeth, and braid the strips together. Hold the free ends of the strips parallel to each other, and rotate each strip around each other strip, starting with the strip on the far left and moving it toward the center. Move the center strip toward the far right and the far right strip back to the left. Continue this pattern until you do not have any more of the strip left to weave. Tie another overhand knot in the end of the braid to secure it.

Tie the twisted necklace around your neck in a square knot, which is formed by holding one end in your left hand and the other end in your right hand. Pass the left over and then underneath the right. Repeat the same pattern, except using the reverse order, passing the right over and then underneath the left. Tighten the knot, and you will have a self-binding friction knot that can be easily undone by holding the two rope ends and moving them toward each other.