When you've mastered the basic 3 braids and want a bit of a challenge, add another strand. Once you're proficient with 4 strands of yarn, ribbon, or leather cord, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to make an intricate-looking braid. Braid 4 flat or rounded braids using several colors, then loop them around your wrist to make a truly unique braid bracelet.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Weaving 4 Flat Braided Bracelets
Step 1. Cut 4 equal lengths of wool
Wrap the measuring tape around your wrist and note the length. After that, cut 4 strands of woolen thread approximately 5 cm longer than the length of the wrist circumference. This excess length is useful for braiding and tying the bracelet at the end later. If you are using a small thread, use 2 to 3 threads for each main strand.
It will be easier to learn to braid with at least 2 different colors
Once you are more proficient at making 4 braids, you can use only 1 color.
Step 2. Tie one end of the thread together and glue it to a flat surface
Tie 4 strands of yarn into a knot and leave the end 2.5 cm long. Lay the strands on a flat table and place a piece of duct tape at the end to hold the thread in place. Then, separate the strands of yarn away from each other.
If you don't want the wool to stick together, just clip it to hold it in place. This is best if you are working on a flat cork or bulletin board
Step 3. Pull the outermost thread to the middle
Take the rightmost thread and fold it over to the thread next to it. Pinch the middle 2 threads together and fold the leftmost thread over them.
Keep the thread pulling tight while braiding to prevent the bracelet from unraveling
Step 4. Take the right thread and thread it over the first thread, then pull the leftmost thread and thread it over the second thread
Repeat this step while keeping the braid taut until the shape is visible. Move the rightmost thread over the next to it, then pinch the two middle threads together. After that, take the leftmost thread and bring it up to both of them.
Remember that you are threading over only one thread from the right, and over two threads from the left
Step 5. Continue to braid the outermost thread until it's finished
You can stop braiding when the end of the thread is 2.5 cm. Keep the braid tension the same from start to finish. For example, don't start the braid very tight, but then loosen it at the end because the bracelet will look uneven.
Step 6. Tie the end of the braid
Once you have about 2.5 cm of yarn left, stop braiding and thread the yarn together. Tie the yarn to form a strong knot. After that, remove the duct tape at the beginning of the braid.
Leave the thread remaining at the end of the braid so you can tie it into a bracelet
Step 7. Wrap the braid around your wrist and tie the ends together
Since tying the knot with one hand is difficult, ask a friend to do it. If the bracelet is long enough, you may be able to tie a knot at the end of the braid before wearing it on your wrist.
If the bracelet is very large, you can wear it as an anklet
Method 2 of 2: Weaving 4 Round Braided Bracelets
Step 1. Cut 4 pieces of cord, leather, or thick woolen thread of equal length
Wrap the measuring tape around the wrist and add at least 5 cm. Then, cut the strong materials such as wires or leather into four pieces according to the size above.
While you can use thick woolen threads, round woolen bracelets will not be as sturdy as those made of leather or cord
Tip:
Use at least 2 different colors when you are just learning. That way, you can easily tell the yarn apart when braiding.
Step 2. Tie the ends of the wires in a knot and glue them to the workbench
Grasp the four wires and make a knot about 2.5 cm from the end. After that, place the knot on the table and tape duct tape over it so that the bracelet doesn't slide to and fro. Separate the four wires so that they form a fan away from each other.
If you use 2 colors, place the colors alternately
Step 3. Take the left cable through the middle 2 wires
Lift the leftmost cable and place it under the two middle cables. Put it up, then down between the 2 wires.
Pull the cord while making the braid to make it rounded
Step 4. Loop the right wire around and between the 2 middle wires
At this point, you should have 4 wires, but there is a slight difference near the top of the two middle threads. Take the rightmost cable and loop it down the middle 2 threads. Bring it around, then down, between the two.
Hold the two middle threads in place with your non-dominant hand and use your dominant hand to braid the cable
Step 5. Continue braiding the leftmost and rightmost wires
To form a round braid, continue to thread the outermost cord down and around the middle threads, then pull tightly afterwards. Braid until the remaining cable is about 2.5 cm.
Braid alternately between the leftmost and rightmost wires so that the braid doesn't tilt
Step 6. Make a knot after the cord is almost gone and tie the bracelet around the wrist
Tie a knot at least 2.5 cm from the end of the cable. After that, remove the duct tape from the braid and wrap it around your wrist. Make a knot using both ends of the cord to keep the bracelet from slipping out of your hand.
If you can't make the knot yourself, ask a friend to help before wearing the bracelet
Tips
- Decorate the bracelet by tucking the beads into the thread.
- Make the bracelet in multiple colors or choose just one color for a monochromatic look.
