Add some spice to your wardrobe with colorful bracelets you can make without having to break the bank. With this D.I.Y. project, you can show your love for your friends by making them bracelets for keeps. Or make a lucky charm for 2012. Tangerine is color of the year, so adorn yourself with tangerine-colored bracelet.

Materials:

THE FINISHED product PHOTO BY MARIANNE S. CRUZ

Scissors

Cotton thread

1-1½ yards of cotton or nylon rope

Rhinestones, pearls or sequins

Sewing thread and needle

STEPS:

1. Cut three to four strands of 20-inch cotton thread and gather them together.

2. Leave three to four inches of allowance. Loosely loop the strands of cotton thread twice around the ropes and knot them. Or do two simple knots to secure the threads.

3. Be sure it’s tight enough so the ropes will not slip while you’re working on it. You may wish to tape it on a table for added security.

4. The cotton thread will be the base so it stays at the middle, while the two ropes will snake around it throughout the process. In this case, the white rope was placed on top of the base and the orange rope was placed underneath.

5. Slide the white rope inwards, while the orange rope goes outwards. Then pull it to create a knot. This step is simple; it’s just like doing typical overhand knots. See to it that the cotton thread is sandwiched by the two ropes. (See picture.)

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5. Make sure the white rope is always placed on top while the orange rope is underneath, or else it will create a spiral effect (unless you want that!). Also check if the base is always in between the ropes. Keep the knots tight since it will loosen up when the bracelet wears out.

*Tip: To see if you are doing it correctly, note that a zigzag pattern will be created.

7. Once you have reached your decided length, do the same knot from step 2. Again make it tight, or your bracelet might fall apart.

8. To wear it, simply knot it twice on your wrist. Whether you use all the ropes or just one depends on which you prefer.

9. You may add rhinestones, pearls, or sequins by sewing it on for a grown-up touch and added bling.