Unisex Leather Bracelet With Stainless Steel Hex Nut Accents

When I saw the 'Jewelry' contest, I figured I wouldn't do it. I have tried making jewelry before with wire, string, small beads, and I would just get frustrated. Everything was too small and fiddly! I don't do well with fiddly', as I don't have much patience. But a few weeks ago in my never ending search to find something to make, I came across this cool bracelet at 'EliKnots'. I thought it was pretty cool looking, super easy and I loved that he used Hex Nuts!

I always try to come up with creations that cost me next to nothing, and there is no need to buy special software and/or special machines. I love to make things that anyone can emulate, probably with things laying around the house! I already had the suede cord and just had to purchase the hex nuts for a few bucks. The thing I especially liked about this bracelet, was that at first glance, you can't tell that the sparkly silver accents are nuts that came from a building supply store!

1. 3 Yards of 3mm Faux Leather Suede Cord (can also use 3mm Polyester Waxed Cord)
2. 22 Stainless Steel M4 Hex Nuts (inside thread doesn't matter)
3. Lighter
4. Scissors

Notes on the Cord: For the cord you decide to use, make sure it is a cord that seals with fire. Basically that would be a polyester cord that melts when you put a flame to it, as that seals any short ends. Polyester Waxed Cord would be ideal, but I didn't have any thick enough, so I decided to try some Faux Suede Cord that I had on hand. The mat black color was the perfect compliment to the shiny nuts. It was also easy to work with and hold the knots. If I held the flame to it for a few seconds, it did melt a bit and I was able to seal my short ends.

Cut the following lengths of cord:

1. 2 - 20" long cords (50cm)
2. 1 - 70" long cord (180cm)
3. 1 - 12" long cord (30cm)

The Board: To create this bracelet, I used a foam board found on Amazon especially for beading (pic 1). It works well to either pin the cord down, or you can use the little slits cut all the way around to tuck/hold you cord out of the way, or in place to work with. I have my board laying on my laptop stand so I could tilt it up a bit to work on, and used a long rubber band at the top to hold the board to the stand - works great! But you could use anything to hold and pin your work in place, a piece of cork, or even the back of a couch!

1. Take the two 20" long cords, and align them at the top. Measure down 8" from the top, and this is the point where you will pin the cords to the board. (pic 2) You can also pin the bottom of the cords to the board, but this is where the foam board with slit came in handy. I could 'tuck' and 'untuck' the bottom ends of the cords as needed in the next steps.

Now you will create the bracelet. It is basically made with a series of simple square knots!

1. Take the 70" long cord and slide it under the two cords you have pinned down. Make sure this long cord centered. (pic 1)
2. Make 3 square knots. (pic 2) - Video above shows how to make a square knot if needed -
3. Take one Hex Nut and slide it on to the 2 center cords. (pic 3)
4. Make 1 Square Knot below the nut, pulling the cords to snugly fit around the nut. (pic 4)
5. Continue these last two bullet point steps using a total of 20 nuts. You will need the last 2 nuts later. (pic.5)
6. After sliding on your 20th nut, tie 3 Square Knots below it to finish it off. (pic 6)

Remove your bracelet from the board, and lay flat on table.

1. Trim off the two cords you have been working with, leaving the 2 center cords. Trim close to the last square knot, leaving about 1/8" to seal.
2. With a lighter, hold the flame on a trimmed end for a few seconds and then tap with your finger or the bottom of the lighter to seal the ends. (see video) This is necessary so your knots don't come unraveled with use.

Now you are going to make the adjustable 'slide' that holds your bracelet on your wrist.

1. Lay the bracelet on a table and fold it in half. Trim off the longer strands on the one side, making them even with the shorter ends on the opposite side. (pic 1)
2. Overlap the 2 ends on one side with the 2 ends on the other side, and clip the ends together to hold in place. (pic 2)
3. Take your remaining 12" cord and lay it underneath the overlapped bundle of cords. You will now make 3 Square Knots, which will be the 'slide' mechanism. When done, trim the ends of the cords you used to make the Square Knots and seal with your lighter *. (pic 3)
4. Now unclip the strands that you just connected with the Square Knots.
5. Slide a remaining nut on 2 of the strands. Do an overhand knot to keep the nut from sliding off. Trim the ends close to this knot and seal with your lighter. Do this on the other 2 strands, as well. (pic 4)

*NOTE: Of course its not like I DID this or anything 😲 ... but be careful when sealing these tips so you don't accidentally seal the slider to the strands.

Now you can slide on this cool bracelet, adjust to fit and enjoy the sparkle!