Tutorial: How to Make a Chinese Jade/Stone Bracelet with a Sliding Extender - It's so easy! (Part 1)

I bought a book on Chinese knots by Suzen Millodot several years ago. It was a well-written book and very easy to follow. I've mastered some of the knots myself.





Utilizing what I've learned, I created some of my own pieces. I'm going to show you one of my favorite projects. Whether you create these fun bracelets for kids or adults, the idea is the same.

Everything you'll need is in the picture below, almost everything anyway. You'll also need matches or a lighter.

Materials you'll need for making the bracelet:

1. Sixteen to twenty-two 8mm jade beads or other stone beads (Of course it's totally up to you how many beads or what size beads you use. Make sure the cord you use go through the holes of your beads fairly easily. Sixteen 8mm beads will make a kid size bracelet of about 5-1/2" and you can make a bracelet of about 7-1/2" with twenty-two 8mm beads including the extentder)
2. Two 6 mm jade beads or other stone beads
3. 4' satin cord (this gives you extra to spare)

Tools you'll need:

1. Headpin

2. Scissors
2. Candle
3. Matches or lighter

Cut 20" to 2' satin cord first and tie a knot at about 5" to 6" from one end of the cord. Light your candle first and put the other end of the cord (the end without the knot) into the flame for a couple seconds or until you see that the cord has just started to melt. Immediately pull the cord away from the flame and  form a sharp end. Please see the picture below.

Pull the sharp end of the cord through an 8mm bead and pull it against that first knot. Use a headpin to help push the cord through the bead if necessary.

Now it's time to tie the second knot. Please follow the pictures shown below to find out how to tie it closely against the first bead.

Repeat the same steps for the rest of the knots. Make sure they're tied against each bead. I just realized I don't have all the pictures for the sliding extender. I'll make this part 1 and finish it tomorrow. Stay tuned!


Part 2 is here!