Cord & Chain Friendship Bracelets DIY Tutorial Plus a Giveaway

While it may have took a bit of nudging for me to jump on the rhinestone bangle train, when friendship bracelets started making a comeback a few months ago, I was fully on board.  Friendship bracelets are one 80's and 90's trend that I can fully support and embrace, eliciting so many fond memories of weaving bracelet after bracelet, trading them back and forth, building a collection so large it went up half my arm.  Oh all the colors and patterns I had!

While the ones I wore as a kid were the kind you knotted onto your arm for dear life, only to be taken off by wielding a pair of scissors, these little bracelets here easily come on and off, and with the pretty gunmetal chain detail, amp up the sophistication just a bit for a more grown up feel.  They're inspired by a couple of bracelets I picked up at Forever 21.  Here's what you'll need:

I found the braiding cord at a local and thrifty fabric store for $2, but I also saw it at Michael's for just a bit more.  The linked chain is in gunmetal, but can be found in gold & silver as well at Michael's for $3.99, less your 40% off coupon :)  The chain comes in a 24" strip, and using a pair of dikes I cut off a 6" section.  You will also need a pair of scissors and a match.

You begin by cutting 4 sections of cording, 2 longer and 2 shorter pieces.  I cut my cord 18" & 24" long just to give me plenty of wiggle room to work with.  In the picture below you will see a tiny little ring called a jump ring added to the chain.  I added one because I have plenty on hand, and it just made it a bit more of a cleaner look, but this is not a necessary step.  You could just tie the knot directly onto the chain if you don't want to have to buy another supply.  At any rate, make a nice secure knot at the top of the chain, leaving at least 1.5"-2" of cording at the end. 

Your shorter piece of cording is just going to run straight down the edge of the entire length of chain, and the longer piece is what you'll use to make the loops.  The shorter piece lays on top of the first chain link, while you thread the longer piece under the first chain link, and then over the next chain link, making sure to cross over the shorter piece of cord.

 Here's a closer example.  While the shorter piece lies straight, right next to the chain, the longer piece loops under both the chain link and the shorter piece of cord.

 And then it loops over the shorter piece of cord and then back through the chain link.

Pulling the cording taught as you make your way down.

Repeating all the way down the other side as well

 Once complete, pull nice and taught and work out any twists that may have occured

At the starting point, make a loop and tie off with a double knot, allowing enough room for another double knot at the opposite end to loop through.  In essence, we're making a toggle closure here.

 At the bottom end, make a nice and secure double knot

 Trim excess cording at both ends with a sharp pair of scissors

And very carefully singe the ends of the cut off cording to secure the knot.  Do not fear, any black residue will brush off shortly.

Loop around your wrist and you're ready to go!  

I love the stacked look, but it sure looks pretty sitting all by itself too :)

Want me to send you a pair of your own?  Leave a comment telling me your favorite trend from childhood's past and you'll automatically be entered.  Extra entries if you like my Facebook page and if you Follow my blog either through a Reader or Google Friend Connect.  Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.  I'll send one reader a set of friendship bracelets in two glam colors.  Giveaway ends Friday June 17th at midnight PST. 

Good luck!  But remember, if you don't win, it's pretty darn easy, and affordable to make your own!
I'm linking up to Heather's Life Made Lovely Monday and
Today's Creative Blog Get Your Craft On Tuesday
and Sweet Floweret 20 Minute Tuesday