Kandi are bracelets, necklaces and other light-colored beaded jewelry commonly made by young people and worn to dance parties. When you're at a dance, the kandi is worn along your sleeves and when you're meeting friends, you can swap kandi with each other. They will choose one of your kandi to exchange for theirs and you can accept or reject it. Kandi are easy to make and a popular type to make and exchange are bracelets.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making a Basic Bracelet
Step 1. Choose the right material
For a basic bracelet, you'll need a few yards of elastic string, pony-type beads, and scissors. While pony beads are commonly used to make traditional kandi bracelets, other types of beads can still be used as long as they have holes that can accommodate two layers of elastic string.
Step 2. Measure and cut the strings
The length of the string that is cut depends on the size of the wrist and the desired width of the bracelet. Wrap the string around your wrist for a rough estimate, and double the measurement 5-6 times. Cut the strings to that size; if you run out of strings during the manufacturing process, you can cut new strings and connect them.
Step 3. Create the first row
Make a knot at the end of the string (leaving a little tail), and start threading the beads. Usually 25-30 grains are needed, but use enough so that the bracelet is large enough to move up and down the arm without becoming too loose.
Step 4. Tie the first row
Pull the strings and beads tight until the beads attach to the knot at the end. Join the short end that has been knotted with the long part in a strong knot. Cut off the remaining end of the string from the short end, but leave the long end.
Step 5. Create a second row
Making the second row takes longer than the first due to the process of adding a bead and weaving the strings through the first row. To make a second row, thread a bead on the long part of the string, and thread the string right through the bottom and sides of the beads being processed. Add another grain, and thread the string through the beads next to/under the beads in the first row. Continue this process until you arrive at the starting point. Insert one bead, then thread the strings "over" the first and "through" the second in the first row. Here's how to weave two rows of beads.
Since you're jumping over the beads in the first row to interweave the second row, the bracelet will look like a zigzag when both rows are finished
Step 6. Create the third row
Repeat the same process as creating the second row. This time you don't need to knot the strings but can continue this process by adding beads. Add beads to fill in the blanks, and attach them to the bracelet by threading the string through the beads in front of it in the first row. Keep going around the bracelet until you have two full rows of beads, then tie the strings.
Step 7. Create additional rows
Even if you've technically finished a bracelet consisting of two rows, many people choose to add a few more rows. Use the same method to weave the beads in a zigzag row, then add another row to fill in the gaps.
Step 8. Finish the bracelet
When you think your kandi bracelet is perfect, tie the strings and put it on to make sure it's the right size! If you run out of strings during the manufacturing process, you can add strings and tie them at the ends, trimming the remaining dangling strings to make them neat.
Method 2 of 2: Making an X. Bracelet
Step 1. Prepare the materials
Bracelet X is the name for the series of 'X' shapes seen in the finished bracelet. Due to its wide size, this bracelet requires more string and beads than a regular bracelet. This type of bracelet is also very interesting if you use various colored beads. Without wasting any more time, prepare a spool of elastic string, pony-type beads of your choice, and scissors.
Step 2. Create the first row
Wrap the string around your wrist to estimate the bracelet size, and tie a knot at the end of the string (leaving a tail). Thread the beads based on the color pattern of your choice, pushing them into the knot at the end of the string. When you've finished threading a sufficient number of beads the size of your wrist, knot both ends of the string and pull the long end through the bead next to the knot.
Step 3. Create a second row
To create a second row, add a string of beads to the string and then thread the string through the first row of beads to interweave the two rows. Thread 3 beads on the long string, and pull the string through the closest row of beads in the first row. Continue the process until it's done, then pull the strings and tie them.
Step 4. Create the third row
The third row is the same as the second except that you have to thread the string through the center of the bead (the center of the bead from a 3-bead set) in the second row. Thread the string through the beads in the second row until it appears at the 'center' of the first bead. Then, insert 3 beads, and pull the ends through the 'center' of the second bead. Continue until you have completed this third row, then tie the ends of the strings tightly.
Step 5. Add a fourth row
Repeat the same process as the third row. Pull the string through the nearest 'center' of the beads in the third row, and add 3 beads. Pull the end through the 'center' of the next bead, then add 3 more beads. Do this process until you finish the fourth row.
Step 6. Return to the first stage
After completing the four rows of braided beads, you may notice that the bracelet looks untidy - the first row is straight, while the fourth row is wavy. This happens because you've only finished half the work, and have to go back to the beginning to complete the same half on the other side of the bracelet. Carefully thread the string through the bracelet until it reaches the starting point where you started the first row (where you made the knot).
If you run out of strings at this stage, you can add strings and trim any loose ends to make them look neat
Step 7. Make half the same side of the bracelet
Start working from the center on the opposite side of the bracelet, repeating the same way as for rows 1-4. In the end you make 7 rows of interwoven beads that form two large rows of 'X' shaped piles.
Step 8. Finish the bracelet
When you've finished the two sides of the bracelet, end it with a tie! Tie the end of the string a few times so the beads don't come loose. Then cut the rest of the strings and the rest of the dangling strings (in the middle). After that, done!
Suggestion
- Apply clear nail polish to the knot to make it stronger.
- Once you've mastered the basic techniques, you can make variations of the pattern with different colors. Kandi Patterns provides a selection of free patterns and tutorials.
