Related Resources: Crafts for Holidays and Special Occasions | Christmas Crafts | Christmas Patterns to Knit and Crochet | Bead Crochet | DIY Jewelry Making
Using this free crochet pattern, you can learn how to make a lovely beaded bracelet that resembles metal, but has all the appeal of a soft fiber art project.
I named this bracelet after the “holiday sparkle” colorway of DMC’s Light Effects metallic embroidery floss, which I believe was a limited edition colorway. However, DMC is still making these gorgeous metallic embroidery flosses available in a spectacular variety of colors. The newer colorways are even more gorgeous than the selection I had available at the time I designed this bracelet — so you’re likely to find a color of this floss that perfectly matches your holiday party dresses.
But obviously, you don’t need to feel limited to only wearing this bracelet on holidays and special occasions. It is ideal for wearing at Christmas and Valentine’s Day, but you could wear it any time you have a need for a bit of shimmer to accessorize your ensemble.
Craft Supplies You’ll Need for Making This Bracelet:
Metallic Embroidery Floss or Crochet Thread:
You can use any metallic embroidery floss or crochet thread in a comparable thickness to make this bracelet. To make the bracelet size pictured, I recommend using 1 skein (8 m / 8.7 yards) of DMC Light Effects embroidery floss; the colorway used in the sample is called “Holiday Sparkle.” Feel free to substitute other brands if you prefer, but keep in mind that the fiber needs to be strong enough to support the beads you’ll be using.
Beads:
To make the sample bracelet, I’ve used a 4” / 10 cm strand of red glass cathedral beads by Blue Moon Beads. There are 12 of these beads per strand, packaged with a few smaller beads that I didn’t use in this project. The beads I used measure approx. 7.5 mm each. I used all 12 of the beads.
Crochet Skill Level:
Intermediate
Crochet Hook
You’ll need a size C / 2.5 mm, or your preferred size hook for working with your chosen embroidery floss or crochet thread.
Other:Needle(s) for stringing the beads and weaving in ends
Finished Bracelet Size:
The sample bracelet measures 7.5 inches long, not including the closure.
Crochet Abbreviations List for This Pattern
- ch = chain
- rep = repeat
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch
Special Crochet Stitch Needed for This Pattern: Beaded Ch St
The beaded chain stitch is basically just a chain stitch with a bead inside. Here are the instructions for crocheting it:
- Grab a bead and slide it over, so that it touches your work in progress.
- Tug very slightly at the active loop on your crochet hook to enlarge it a wee bit — not much at all — the larger your bead, the larger the loop needs to be (without the bead going through the loop). The goal is to enlarge the loop ever so slightly so that it will be a comfortable length for completing your stitch. You also don’t want the loop to be too large.
- Then work your chain stitch. You’ll work it just as you usually would, except that there’s a bead caught in the stitch.
You can check out a free step-by-step tutorial for this stitch HERE.
How to Make the Bracelet
Thread a needle with your metallic embroidery floss and string all of your beads onto your floss.
(ch 3, work beaded ch st,) Rep until bracelet is desired length, then work 3 more ch sts.
Ch 1, turn, sc in each ch st across row.
Do not turn as usual. Instead, you are going to work a longer-than-usual chain and then turn the work upside down to work back across your foundation chain.
Ch 4, flip the work, sl st to join your chs to the upper right side of of your piece (or upper left side if you are left-handed.)
Sc into each st across the foundation chain.
Next, you are going to work back across, folding the piece in half onto itself to form a beaded tube. To do this, work 1 sl st through both loops of both sc sts on either side of the beads. Work all the way across.
Attach bracelet clasps, one to each side of the bracelet.
Wear and enjoy, or give the bracelet as a gift.
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By Amy Solovay
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Amy Solovay is a real, live, human content creator and educator who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Sweet Briar College; she has also earned a separate Associate of Arts degree in textile design from FIDM LA (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles). She is NOT a robot and does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to write book reviews or articles for this website.
Amy learned to crochet as a small child, and she still enjoys crocheting all these years later.
As an educator, Amy Solovay used to teach in-person college courses in trend forecasting, marketing and surface design at California Design College in Los Angeles. Nowadays she uses online platforms for sharing her knowledge about textiles, crafts, current color trends and current design trends.
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This page was last updated on 11-26-2024.