Nautical Rope Bracelets

I saw these awhile ago on this website and instantly fell in love!  But, at $60 a pop, I figured I could make a less refined version on my own.  Off I went to the marine supply store, but a shotty one at that, as my color selections were limited to bright primary colors and the ones listed in this picture.  I actually only had the green left over from a previous project.  (Note to self! Snatch up pretty rope in the future!) 

Its really quite easy though!

Supplys:

• Commercial grade rope (I really like the double braided nylon used for the top bracelet) in sizes between 1/4" and 3/8"

• Very thin commercial twine or rope (only slightly thicker than embroidery thread)

• Scissors

• Hot glue

• Gold clasp from hardware or marine supply store (small, mine measure 2" high and 1" thick at the widest part)

Sizing:

Now comes the assembly. Cut off a lengthly piece of rope (between 12"-16")  Feed your rope through the hole in the clasp.  Hold the two ends of of the rope while the clasp hangs down in the middle.  Now, take the rope and wrap it around your wrist while holding the clasp against your wrist.  Line the rope up with the clasp where you would like it's size to be and give yourself some slack, but only a half of an inch to and inch.  Mark this part of the two ends of rope with your fingers or a pen.  Cut off the remaining rope.  Now its time to glue!

Getting its shape:

Get your glue gun hot and put just a dollop on the very end surface of one of the ropes ends and immediately push the other rope end onto it, as if making a continuous loop of rope.  Hold it for about 10 seconds.  Now, push this seam up so that it is half way in the loop between the clasp and the other end of the loop.  Glue the seam down to the piece of rope directly next to it.  Your bracelet is beginning to take shape! I would recommend continuing gluing the two pieces of rope together as far down the bracelet as you would like your thin decorative thread to go.  It will help hold it better.

Finishing with a pop of color:

Now, grab some lengthily pieces of the thin rope for the color blocks.  If you want 2 outer colors as I have pictured, double the length of that color.  To be safe grab about 6 feet of each block of color that you want (better to be safe that sorry!)  Line up the two threads and put a thin line of glue (1/2") at one end of your glued seam on your bracelet.  Lay down the two pieces of colored rope going from the inner part of the bracelet outwards.  Now you can begin wrapping.  Start with whatever color you want to be on the outside, and wrap steady, firm and concise loops around the thick rope of the bracelet, covering your glued seam and the other color thread.  I cheated and would add the tiniest amount of glue to whatever area of my wrapping had a bulge, a gap, or just needed overall reinforcement.  When you are ready to start your next color block just make sure you make the transition on the underside of the bracelet (its only a small transition in the color lines).  When a transition is being made between colors i would just add a little glue to help hold them together.  I made two color transitions in my bracelets.  When you get to the end of your color wrapping, simply but a small thin glue edge on the under side of the bracelet up against your final color edge.  Lay the final line of the colored rope down and hold for 10 seconds.  Snip off the excess rope thread and admire your work!

After all of the gluing and reinforcing your bracelet will be much more stiff.  Bend and work it in the direction you want the bracelet to clasp and then you are set!  Go out wearing it and let the compliments roll in!