How to Create a Macrame or Sliding Knot Adjustable Bracelet

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Learn to make fashionable bracelets at home in just 5 minutes

Co-authored by Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: November 30, 2023 Fact Checked

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Single Knot

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Double Knot

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Macrame Sliding Knot

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

To make a simple adjustable bracelet, all you need is 1 meter (37.4 in) of paracord or satin nylon cord and whatever beads you’d like to decorate it with. Whether you’d like to close your bracelet using a barrel knot or a macrame square knot, this craft project can be cheap, easy, and fun to do. Keep reading to learn how to create your own cute adjustable bracelet.

Things You Should Know

Overlap the ends of a 1 meter (37.4 in) long cord to create a loop. Place your finger over the overlapping cords.
Pull the end of the cord back and inside the loop to create a smaller loop around your finger. Repeat this process 3 more times to create 3 small loops.
Slide the loops off your finger and thread the end of the cord through all 3 loops. Pull tightly and slide the loops close together to create a tight adjustable knot.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adjustable Bracelet with Single Knot

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1
Cut 1 m (37.4 in) of cord and overlap the ends to create a loop. Measure and cut out 1 meter (37.4 inches) of 2 mm thick paracord or satin nylon cord. Overlap the ends of the cords with the longer side on top.^{[1]
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Research source} Make sure the opening of the loop is slightly larger than your wrist size.
- Slide any colorful beads you’d like onto the middle of the bracelet.^{[2]
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2
Wrap the 1 m (37.4 in) cord around your finger and inside the loop 3 times. Place your index finger where the cords overlap. Bring the longer side of the cord down the back and inside the bracelet loop to create a smaller loop around your index finger.^{[3]
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- Wrap the same cord around your finger at least 3 more times to create 3 loops.
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Pull the end of the 1 m (37.4 in) cord tightly, sliding the loops close together, to tie a barrel knot.^{[4]
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Knot each end of the cord to keep the barrel knot from slipping. To tie a simple knot, loop the end of the 1 m (37.4 in) cord around itself and pull the end through the loop.^{[5]
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- Optionally, use a lighter to quickly singe the ends of the cord so they don’t unravel.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Adjustable Bracelet with Double Knot

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1
Repeat the steps above to tie a barrel knot on one side of the bracelet. Measure and cut 1 meter (37.4 in) of cord and tie a barrel knot at one end. Place your finger over where both cords overlap and tie a second barrel knot on the other side of the bracelet using the free cord.^{[6]
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- Knot each end of the cord by looping the end around itself and pulling it through the loop.
- Optionally, use a lighter to singe the ends of the cord so the material doesn’t unravel.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adjustable Bracelet with Macrame Sliding Knot

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1
Cut a cord 10 cm (3.9 in) larger than your wrist and another 25 cm (9.8 in) long. Lay the cord that’s 10 cm (3.9 in) longer than your wrist down on the table so that the ends overlap each other, creating a loop. Tape the ends of the bracelet cord down on a table to make it easier to work with.^{[7]
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- The 10 cm (3.9 in) cord will be your bracelet. The 25 cm (9.8 in) long cord will be the square knot.
- Slide any colorful beads you’d like onto the middle of the bracelet before you tape it to the table.
Pull the cord underneath the overlapped ends and tie an overhand knot. Push the cord underneath the overlapping ends of your bracelet so that both sides of the cord are even. Cross the ends over each other, pull the top cord underneath the overlapping cords, and pull on both ends tightly to tie a basic overhand knot.^{[8]
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Tie 4 or 6 macrame square knots. Cross the left side of the cord over the bracelet and under the right side to create a loop. Pull the right end of the cord under the bracelet and through the loop. Pull tightly on both ends. Cross the right side of the cord over the bracelet and under the left side to create a loop, then pull the right end under the bracelet and through the loop.^{[9]
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- Repeat this step twice to tie 4 square knots or 3 times to tie 6 knots.
Seal the end of the square knot with glue before trimming the ends.^{[10]
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Research source} Knot each end of the bracelet so the sliding closure doesn’t slip off.