Have you wanted to know how to make a fishtail braided bracelet? Braids are so hot right now, and I don’t just mean hair. I see bags with braided details, tees with braided details, even shoes and jewelry have braided details.
Recently, I came across a fishtail braid bracelet that I fell in love with. Two problems –
1.) It was T-I-N-Y and I have big wrists. It was probably only about 6 ½ inches and I wear at least an 8 inch bracelet.
2.) It was $35. Now, $35 is a totally reasonable price for a bracelet, especially something that’s handmade. But I knew that we could make it for less. A whole lot less.
Materials Needed –
- Some type of thread or floss. You can use fine hemp, linen, cotton embroidery floss, silk floss, or just about anything. I used 8 different colors of a twisted cotton embroidery thread.
- Large Button. I’m using a large vintage Lucite button that has a shank.
- Tape, clipboard, or a safety pin to attach your bracelet while working.
- Scissors
How to Make a Fishtail Braid Bracelet
Cut a roughly 1 yard length of each color of your flosses that you plan on using. I used 8 colors for this fishtail braid bracelet, so I cut one each of 8 colors. If you’re using fewer colors, you may want to cut multiple strands of each color. In another bracelet, I used 4 colors, so I cut two strands of each.
Fold your strands in half, with the loop at the top. Tie an overhand knot, making a loop at the top.
Separate your strands, with half of your strands in each group. Take care to make sure that you have the equal number of colors in each group. For example, you want to have one each of the 8 colors in each group.
Spread the two groups of strands out, keeping the two groups separated. To make the project easier, quicker, and a little chunkier, I then grouped the 8 strands into 4 groups of 2 strands each.
Take the first set of strands from the outside of Group A and cross them over Group A all the way until they are the inside set on Group B.
Now, take the first set of strands from the outside of Group B and cross them over Group B all the way until they’re the inside set of Group A.
Tighten the strands snugly.
Repeat steps 6-8 until you get your desired length. It sounds difficult, but a fishtail braid is really almost mindless once you get going.
I braid 3-5 crossovers, then tighten my bracelet. After the first several crossovers, it goes a lot quicker, as the start of the bracelet has been established.
Once you get to the length you’d like, tie an overhand knot with all the strands, close to your braid.
Thread your button on to half of your strands. You can use a large eyed needle, thread them through a couple at a time, or use this handy new trick I just learned.
Take a piece of scrap thread. Loop it around your threads, and pull the scrap thread through your button. It really works!
Slide the button up to your overhand knot. Tie a square knot with the strands to secure your button. Trim the excess threads to your desired length. Personally, I leave a little bit of a tail.
Voila! Your bracelet is done. Make a ton of these in various colors and have yourself an arm party. They’re inexpensive, easy to make, and work up quickly. They’d make a great craft show project, too.
Total time: 20 minutes
Total Cost: $5 or so to get started. About $1.25 per bracelet, including the threads and the button.
This would be a fun project to do with my daughters.
Very cute! This would be fun to try with different color combinations, and it would be easy to knock out a few during a ‘it’s too cold and snowy to venture outside’ movie marathon. Thanks for the button tip.
They really are quick and easy! And these bracelets look totally different with different colors. I’ll have to add a couple more photos of other color combos.
that a easy one to do and i think i get the girl soemof them for the kid here
I think this looks so cool when you do a ponytail in this type of braid. I have not been able to do this on myself but I can do it to someone elses hair.
This looks easy to make and very pretty. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never been very good at crafts. I always wanted to give this a try though; let’s see how this turns out haha!
Wow nice idea i will definitely try with my sister she would loved it 🙂
So fun and easy, can’t wait to do it!
So fun and easy, can’t wait to make one for myself!
that’s super cute! i love the multi-colored aspect~~
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I used to make braided bracelets when I was younger and completely forgot how to. Thanks for the reminder! I love the button trick, will have to try that out.
Thanks for the tutorial. I’m going to try this technique with skinny strips cut from old tshirts.
I think this is a great craft. It would be perfect to do a a birthday party too. The kids could have fun and leave with a cute party gift.
That is so cute and you make it look so easy!
I ‘ve always wanted to learn how to make one of these bracelets.
Cute and easy…
This looks easy nice colors
looks cute
Great Idea for my teenage daughters they are getting bored , and need something to keep their hands busy.
Very cute, I’m going to try this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is so beautiful.
This is so nice!!! I have a lot of embroidery thread that might be good for this, I’d like to try it!
This takes me back to my childhood! These are so nostalgic… I must teach my daughter this!
Thank you so much for the information. I would love to make a fishtail braid bracelet.