How to Make a Flat Stitch Kandi Cuff

Hai :D! Now that you've clicked on this you may be thinking, Kandi? It's a specific style of pony beaded bracelet, today we are going to be making a flat/peyote stitch Kandi cuff. These are good for alternative styles, or just a fun colourful bracelet! I made mine because I like how they add colour to any outfit you're wearing, and they are a good gift for friends <3!!

Keep in mind that you can add more beads to make it bigger, or less to make it smaller, I will add more on this later in the steps^^! If you are stuck on what colours or pattern to make, you can search google or Pinterest for ideas! Keep in mind more complex patterns can take up to about 4+hrs, (mine took about 2 hrs - Some of this time is due to having to take pictures, calling friends, and messing up </3.) The flat stitch Kandi cuff is the first Kandi I made, so it's good for beginners! If you enjoy making this think about looking into the X-base/stitch Kandi cuff, which is better for bigger projects because it uses less beads. To all 5 of you who actually read all this, good job <3, now let's get started!

Things you will need for this project:

1. Pony beads (20 beads for each row, add more or less for wrist size!) we’re going 5 or 6 rows tall so about 100 to 120 beads. (You can make yours taller or shorter if you want, you just have to follow if your Kandi cuff is an odd or even number of beads tall.)
2. Stretchy/elastic string (I used 0.5mm Elastic Cord) You can also use clear elastic, but it dry rots so it won’t last as long. It has to be stretchy or you can’t get it on your arm. Unless you make it REALLY big. (Would NOT recommend.)
3. Scissors!1!! (to cut the string, please don't use your teeth D:)

1. Bring out the string to about two arm’s lengths, and cut the elastic. If you have short arms then just do a bit extra. If you end up accidentally not having enough, you just tie more on later, which may be a bit tricky. Don't worry though you can't really tell. - With clear elastic string you want to stretch it out first, because it adds more length, if you don’t do this you will end up with a sad loose cuff as you naturally stretch it out.

1. Before deciding if you are doing an even or odd number hight, keep in mind that the odd number hight is a bit tricky and may be confusing. Do what you want though!!! :D
2. If you are doing an even number hight follow the rainbow pictures, and if you are doing an odd number hight follow the sunset pictures. - Start by folding the string in half, and adding two of the first colour beads (the ones on the bottom) on each string end. Then add one of the next colour bead on both strings at once. Continue this with your pattern until desired hight, and try to keep the strings even.
3. For odd: when you are done adding your beads do a surgeons knot at the top. One normal knot loop, tighten it. Then on the second one do two loops around like you’re tying your shoes permanently, and tighten. make sure the beads are taught (they are all laying nicely together) when you tighten the knot.

1. For an even number hight I’m going to demonstrate with a rainbow pattern, 6 beads tall and, 20 beads wide. (18cm around the wrist and 3.8cm tall)
2. To make this, add on the top colour bead on one side of the string. Take the string and thread it through the next bead that’s sticking out, and pull it tight, but not too tight as you might break the string D: !! (I have better pictures on step #3) Repeat this step all the way down the cuff, when that’s done repeat this on the other side.

1. Add the bottom colour bead onto the string, and thread it through the next bead thats sticking out. Pull it tight, but don’t break the string. Continue this until you reach the top of the cuff. Using the correlating colours to your pattern. Do the same to the other side. Go back to #2, and come back to #3 until you are done with your beads/it fits your wrist nicely.
2. Make sure to add on to one side twice in the end so you can weave it together. Skip past the odd number steps to thread it together!! :3 - Step #6!

1. For an odd number of beads I’m going to be demonstrating with a sunset pattern, 5 beads tall and 20 beads around the wrist. (18cm wide and 3cm tall)
2. First grab your second colour bead to the top and put it on the elastic. After that thread that elastic through the next bead that's sticking out. Repeat this step until you are at the bottom of the cuff using the corresponding colours.
3. Next grab the other string and thread it into the bead you haven’t put beads on yet. After that place the string under the first two beads and thread the elastic under the other bead at the top. Pull it tight.
4. Now grab the first colour bead and thread it onto the elastic, then put the string through the next bead sticking out. Do this until you reach the end of the cuff with your pattern. (Repeat this step after doing step #5)

1. grab the end colour bead and thread it onto the elastic that has just gone through the second to last bead (by the bottom). After that grab the other elastic and thread it through the bottom of the bead, and pull it tight.
2. Now continue up with the string that just went through the bottom of the last bead. Grab the second last colour bead and put it on the string. Thread the elastic through the next bead sticking out. Repeat this with your pattern until the top of the cuff. - Now go back to step #4, and do the last step, then come back to step #5 until you run out of beads/the cuff fits your wrist nicely.
3. Remember to make sure that the beads fit together in a ladder pattern. This is shown in the last picture on this step. This is so the cuff will go together properly! Go to step #6! :3

1. This Step is the same whether you did an odd number hight cuff or not.
2. To weave the cuff together, make sure you are at the top of the kandi cuff. Grab the string at the top of the cuff, and thread it through the other bead at the top with only one string going through it. The beads at the bottom from the other thread may come loose so be careful. You can prevent this by putting your fingers on the start of the string by the bead. Go to the next bead and repeat. Do this along the entire cuff.
3. When you reach the bottom of your cuff, do a surgeon’s knot multiple times as demonstrated in the photos. (one loop around like the start of tying your shoes, and tighten it. Then do the same loop around but twice then tighten.)
4. After you have done at least 3 knots, cut off the access, leaving at least 5mm of string (this is so the string does not come loose). You can then tuck the knot into a bead next to it so it is no longer visible.

Whoa look at you! You have just made a new bracelet?! Great job!! Now even if it didn't turn out as you wanted it to I hope that this tutorial at least helped you a little. Keep making kandi or whatever you want to make. you can wear this as an expressive piece or give it as a gift. I really enjoy creating these types of things so I hope you did as well.

I personally love crafting, so Kandi is right up my ally. When I was first introduced to it, I was simply online scrolling and thought, that would be so cool to make! Like I said in the intro, this is the first Kandi cuff I have ever made. When I first made my cuff, I had to work through challenges, like figuring out my clear string stretched out. I had to tie on extra elastic so I could continue as well. I no longer have the original cuff, but I do have a remake of it. When making something new always remember that you may go through challenges, but what you learn is always worth it; Even if it doesn't end up as you expected it to. Have fun crafting!! :D