How to Make a Braided Man's Bracelet

Although many are quick to associate jewelry with women, the wrist accessory has grown into an increasingly popular accessory for men as well. A nylon survival cord bracelet, made from cording, such as 550 parachute cord which can hold 550 pounds of weight, not only provides an attractive piece of wrist wear, but can also be unbraided in a pinch to provide the wearer with the emergency cord. With a final weave that is anything but thin or dainty, and a built-in practical utility, a braided bracelet yields a craft even the most rugged of men would proudly wear.

Things You'll Need

  • Nylon cord
  • Scissors
  • Lighters
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a length of cord one foot long for every inch of bracelet required, plus one additional foot. For example, for a 7-inch-long bracelet, cut 8 feet of cord.

    • 2

      Fold the cord in half, then wrap the cord around the wearer's wrist. Bend the two loose ends down at the point the fold touches when wrapped, with one loose end on either side of the section wrapped around the wrist.

    • 3

      Allow the cord to unwrap from around the wrist so you are left with two loose ends hanging down on either side of the cord running from the fold to the points you bent the ends down.

    • 4

      Cross the left end behind the center cords.

    • 5

      Pass the right end under the left end, in front of the center cords, then under the left end where it hasn't crossed the center.

    • 6

      Pull the ends apart to tighten the stitch.

    • 7

      Repeat the stitch in reverse, passing the right end behind, then the left end under, over, under and pull the second stitch tight.

    • 8

      Loosen the two loops in the upper right and upper left corners of the braid so they are large enough to pass the cord through. Do not pass the cord through these loops at this point.

    • 9

      Stitch using the alternating pattern until the loop between the last stitch and the fold is only 3/4 inches long.

    • 10

      Bend the braid's ends together, forming the braid into a bracelet shape, then pass the right loose end through the right loosened loop in the first stitch, and the left loose end through the left loosened loop.

    • 11

      Slide the loops along the loose ends until the braid is just large enough to slip over the wearer's hand, then tie a double knot with the two loose ends.

    • 12

      Snip the loose ends, then melt the ends with a lighter to prevent fraying.

    • 13

      Pull on the knot to shrink the bracelet on the wearer's wrist, then tuck the knot through the loop to secure.