DIY Hemp Bracelets for Summer
Updated on June 28, 2018
Now that summer is in full swing, homemade bracelet season is finally here! When we were younger (and even into adulthood, if we’re being fully honest), making knotted hemp bracelets was a summertime tradition of ours. We’d knot all kinds of patterns, braids, and textures featuring all different types and colours of beads into hemp string and bright embroidery floss and tie them on at the beginning of the summer, ending our school holidays with plenty of them on each wrist and ankle, complete with tan lines underneath each one. We’d wear them until they became so worn that they fell off or until we chose to cut them off in preparation to put on new ones the next year. Now that we’re grown and working professional jobs, we might not make them quite as often for ourselves, but we still love the idea of homemade hemp bracelets and we’ve continued the tradition with our kids, helping them collect the supplies and choose fun beads at the beginning of their summer holidays so they can weave their own creations all summer.
Just in case you love the idea of making different unique summer hemp bracelets with your kids but you’re either new to the concept or perhaps just a little bit out of practice, here are 15 amazing tutorials, design ideas, and pattern outlines to get you into the swing of things!
1. Twisting macrame bracelet
Are you the kind of nostalgic crafting parent who loves teaching your kids the very same designs and techniques that you learned when you were younger and then watching them put their own personal spin on things? Then here’s one of the most classic hemp bracelet knitting designs around, outlined in simple steps so everyone can give it a try! Beadage reminds you how a twisted ladder macrame knot is done, as well as how to add beads into the mix.
2. Thicker flat hemp knots
when we were younger, we often found that the knotted bracelets we created turned out much thinner than we were hoping they would, particularly when we used bright embroidery floss rather than thicker materials to make our knots. That’s why we were so happy to come across this awesome idea for making a bracelet that has a lot more weight and thickness to it regardless of what kind of string you choose to use. Panda Hall shows you how to wrap your colours (or hemp strings) around two thick pieces of string or jewelry cord as a base so that the thickness is already establish before you even start making your knotted pattern.
3. Flat and beaded bracelet with a button closure
Have you always loved the look of knotted summer hemp and embroidery floss bracelets, particularly when there are fun beads involved, but you work a job that won’t allow you to wear them all the time while you’re on shift so you’ve never been able to knot them on tightly the way we talked about above? Well, Rings & Things can totally understand the need for a less permanent design, which is why they outline methods of putting a button and loop on the ends of your bracelet to create a simple clasp that will let you put it on and take it off quite easily.
4. Delicate braided hemp bracelet with double bead rows
Many of the classic hemp bracelet designs we’ve come across over the years are actually quite thick or chunky in their shape, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options out there for you if what you really prefer is something a little smaller and more delicate looking! This beautiful braided and beaded design from Crafts Unleashed, for example, is the perfect example of what we mean. They show you how to do a multi-stranded braid with a small see bead along each side. We adore their dual coloured beading combination, but getting creative with your schemes will be a lot of fun!
5. Super fast arrow shaped bracelet
Here’s another classic design tutorial that will remind you of a great basic knotting shape, just in case you need a quick refresher course! We love how simply and clearly Nala N’ in Dunyasi outlines the specific steps for creating a downward arrow that alternates in colour, but it won’t be hard for you to adjust just how many times you change colour (if at all). We’ve also done this type of bracelet in plain, undyed hemp and the result was still gorgeous despite being more monochrome.
6. Boho chic inspired braided hemp bracelets
So far, we’ve talked a lot about making either hemp bracelets or bracelets knotted from embroidery floss, but have you ever wondered how things would look if you actually did both together, in one blended design? Well, that’s actually exactly what Happy Hour Projects did here and we’re happy to tell you that we tried it out and were ecstatic over how pretty the results turned out. We loved the way this simple, multi-material braiding technique let us blend a Boho chic aesthetic with a pop of colour and whatever beads and charms or trinkets we pleased.
7. Hemp string bracelet with pearls
While knotting patterns are most certainly one of the best parts of making hemp bracelets, did you know that there are actually lots of designs out there that are a little more bead heavy but just as lovely looking? This pearl and string design featured on Caesar Sebastien is the perfect example of what we mean! They show you how to knot hemp, string on pearled beads, and knot the hemp again to create many pearled stripes that will sit delicately on your wrist as though you’re wearing many accessories, when in reality it’s all a single piece, which makes it easier to put on and take off.
8. Beaded square knot bracelet
By now, you’ve probably realized that there are just about countless thin, single strand bracelets that you can knot out of hemp and embroidery floss, but what if your personal style is a little more statement-based? Then we’d be willing to bet that you probably prefer chunkier accessories. That might sound like an intimidating thing to make happen when it comes to hemp and embroidery floss knotting, but we think you’ll be surprised to learn how simple it really can be! Check out how Wonder How To created this square patterned cuff complete with beautiful beading.
9. Peruvian wave hemp bracelet
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about bracelet designs that are based more on strand work rather than solely knots, but you’re curious to see what you could do just with string colours rather than lots of beading? Then we think we’ve found perhaps the perfect tutorial for you! Check out how Friendship Bracelets created this stunning Peruvian wave style knotting and stranding design in a range of pretty blues.
10. Tri-colour woven hemp bracelet
Were you intrigued by the idea of wrapping your coloured knots around another few pieces of string, but the first time you tried it you noticed that the middle pieces peaked through your knots and you weren’t sure how you felt about that? Well, just in case you’d like to try the design again because you liked the thickness it got you, why not try avoiding the peaking issue by filling the middle with a complementarily coloured string rather than just a plain one? We love the way HK Macrame Jewelry did their knotting with green and purple but wrapped it around a pretty blue so that the colour would peak through.
11. Kumihimo hemp bracelets
Would you rather create yourself a thicker bracelet design in another way, rather than simply knotting your active strings around some spare ones, because you’re quite experienced with bracelet making and you’re looking for something that’s a bit more of a challenge? Then we have a feeling you’ll get on very well with this rounded Kumihimo style woven bracelet featured on Rings & Things!
12. DIY hemp wish bracelet
Were you quite intrigued by the idea of making a multi-stranded bracelet that features beads but the plain hemp and simple pearls design wasn’t quite bright and fun enough for your personal style? Then here’s an alternative that might be a little bit more up your alley! We love the way Yes Missy used strands in several different bright string colours and then added beads and charms in all different colours and styles.
13. Macrame double spiral bracelet
We already showed you once how to make a classic spiralling ladder bracelet using a single colour of hemp, but what if your personal tastes are a little bit brighter and bolder than what you saw there? Well, you could always add beads to your work to give it a little extra visual interest, but here’s another option just in case you’d rather learn something new! Check out how Macarame School created an awesome dual coloured spiral ladder bracelet by alternating which colour of string they knotted with but keeping their technique much the same otherwise.
14. Wavy macrame zigzag bracelet
Are you actually very experienced indeed in the art of knotting all different kinds of hemp and embroidery floss bracelets, so you’re looking for something that’s a little more intricate to both do and wear? Then we have a feeling you’ll find this lovely waving zig-zag bracelet design that’s outlined on Wonder How To very intriguing indeed!
15. Rope and leather knotted bracelet for guys
Now, we’re of the firm belief that any person can wear any kind of accessory they choose and that should be okay, but we know that personal tastes can definitely vary. For example, we know plenty of men who love the idea of making and wearing hand woven bracelets and cuffs, but we also know they’d prefer a design that’s a little less dainty and delicate looking. That’s why we thought this leather and rope knotted bracelet was such an awesome idea! The process of working with these materials feels a little bit different than usual, however, even though the technique is largely the same, so here’s a tutorial from Wedding Trendista that will give you some tips and tricks for making it happen.
Do you have another fantastic knotted or hemp bracelet pattern or design that you love making but that you don’t see on our list? Tell us all about how to do it or link us to the design pattern in the comments section!