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Honestly WTF

DIY Woven Chain Bracelet

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Chain link bracelets, with colorful threads woven through them, have been popping up here and there. We adore Aurèlie Bidermann‘s Do Brazil bracelets and thought it was about time we graduate to the ultimate “grown-up” friendship bracelet. With a curb chain bracelet and some embroidery thread, we’ll teach you how to make your own woven chain bracelet. And one for your bestie too, of course.

You’ll need:

Cut 2 sets of 15 strands of embroidery thread, with each strand measuring four times the length of the bracelet. Knot the all the threads at the top, leaving about 2 inches of slack. Sandwich each set between a bobby pin – this will help you easily weave the threads through the links of the bracelet. Lay the threads to the left of the bracelet. Pull the first color (coral) from under the first link and over the top of the left side. (Click images to enlarge)

Lay the second color (blue) over the first color (coral). Pull the second color (blue) from under the same link and over the top left again. Repeat the steps, moving onto a new link: put the first color (coral) on top of the second color (blue) and pull it out from under the 2nd link and over the top left. Lay the second color (blue) on top of the first color (peach) and pull it out from under the 2nd link and over the top left again. Because the links of this particular bracelet are large, I wove the threads through twice on each link. If you are using a smaller linked bracelet, you should weave through each link once like this.

Repeat the steps until you reach the end of the bracelet. Finish it with a knot and trim the ends.

(top images from here and here, rest of images by Honestly…WTF)

471 Comments

  4. katy    January 18, 2011

    FANTASTIC!
    i think i will make a ton of these for the summer, bet they’d look bloody brilliant stacked.

  7. Rae    January 18, 2011

    Thank you so much for this tutorial! The result is beautiful, can’t wait to try it!

  11. Aimee    January 18, 2011

    OH MY GOODNESS. You have no idea how badly I wish I was patient so I could make one of these! I am seriously in love. Such a cute idea.

    x

  13. Barret    January 18, 2011

    This is awesome – will definitely be trying this DIY. I have been drooling over similar bracelets but it never occurs to me to try and make my own!

  14. marissa    January 18, 2011

    Nice! i will try this this weekend…though my diy’s tend to need a little tlc by the time i’m finished :) Murval

  20. Jennifer    January 18, 2011

    I’ve been trying to figure out the best and easiest way to make a Bidermann-style bracelet; thanks for such a clear and simple tutorial!

  22. Anita    January 19, 2011

    GORGEOUS

    i want to do this super soon :)

    i love your blog with a passion

  24. Naomi    January 19, 2011

    I LOVE THESE!!! And, they don’t seem too hard to make… YAY!!!

  25. Rach    January 19, 2011

    does it work well with thin link bracelets like the one you linked to on etsy?

  29. Harmony    January 19, 2011

    ROCKIN!!! Thank’s for the instructions. Oh, and love your blog site!

  30. Ana    January 19, 2011

    This is brill!! Thank you for sharing! Going to attempt to make at least one ASAP.

  32. erica    January 19, 2011

    So happy you guys like it!

    Toya, you can get the bracelet we used at American Apparel: http://www.americanapparel.com/brac2.html?cid=186. And yes, Rach, you can make this with any FLAT curb link bracelet like the one linked to on Etsy. Try searching “curb link bracelet” in Google for more options!

    Good luck, ya’ll! xx, E & L

  34. Sarah    January 19, 2011

    Love a decent DIY! This is awesome! I will be giving it a go for sure :)

    I keep telling myself to add more DIY stuff, specially for interior design :)

  36. Maame Nsiah    January 19, 2011

    OMG I LOOOOVE THIS! But I live in Belgium and I dont know where I can get a bracelet like that..
    Can somebody tell me where I can maybe buy it on the internet? THANKS!

  42. Ashley Krieger    January 20, 2011

    ok, i’m going to be the completely lazy person and ask if these are for sale anywhere? i seriously lack the domestic/DIY gene!

  51. Jaime H    January 23, 2011

    I love this so much! So I picked up a necklace at Forever 21 and pulled put my embrodery floss and made this gem! I am so hooked! Thanks for the tute!

  57. Jenn    January 25, 2011

    Fab! Awesome little project. Instead of using bobby pins, I wrapped masking tape on the ends and it worked great- just like a needle and thread. Thanks for the DIY;)

  61. Madison    February 2, 2011

    Absolutely adore these bracelets!

    rebellefleur713.blogspot.com

  62. Lisa    February 4, 2011

    I obviously just made this, but used an old an only gunmetal chain necklace I had instead, and matched it with sherbert-y pinks and orange. Seriously awesome.

  63. Ashley    February 4, 2011

    This is FAB!
    Any idea how to connect a length of gems or stones, like the Lizzie Fortunato Bracelet? (Shown in the right module)

  65. Brieana    February 5, 2011

    Seriously one of the coolest and simplest DIY tricks I’ve ever seen.
    I usually just look and never do DIY stuff, but I might actually try this C:

  66. v    February 9, 2011

    wow! love it! i’m really going to try this! do you mind if reblog it? it’s way cool to keep it just for myself…

  67. IA    February 9, 2011

    Love this! Where to buy great curb chain bracelets? Etsy? Links? Thanks! :D :D :D

  69. lauren    February 10, 2011

    IA – yes, I would definitely try Etsy and search “curb link bracelet”. American Apparel is sold out of the one we used in the tutorial. Good luck!!

  71. Ana    February 12, 2011

    I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BLOG, and especially the DIY pages!! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us, truly inspiring!!!!!!

  76. D    February 23, 2011

    Oh em gee AMAZING!! I’m doing this asap. Will post the results! Thank-you so much xx

    Http://www.paperymoon.blogspot.com

  77. Nina    February 28, 2011

    I’ve used your DIY tutorial and made 3 bracelets. Its so much fun, and the bracelets come out beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial!

  78. Jenny    February 28, 2011

    I`ve finally made this using your DIY tutorial and I have to say that mine looks adorable. I`ve paired it with some braided suede bracelets from H&M, that are in the same colors. So happy!! :) )
    THANKS!!!

  79. Liz    March 3, 2011

    It is like a grown up friendship bracelet, can’t wait to make my first WTF project!

  80. Karin    March 4, 2011

    Hi,
    now that I’m actually trying to realize this, I wonder what “size” of chain/curb link bracelet you used.
    Thank you for sharing this nice tutorial!
    Greetings from Germany;-)
    Karin

  83. Robin    March 6, 2011

    I really want to make this, but cannot find a curb chain anywhere! What is the width of the chain you used? Thanks!

  85. Jane    March 8, 2011

    Wow ! I am freaking out about all your DIY, They are soo amazing! I have to try this one! And i am doing the shreaded tea one and its really cool. You can change the look of you old t-shirt.
    Great!

    Jane

  88. devin    March 15, 2011

    how much did you pay for the gold chain ad where did you buy it??

  93. maria    April 6, 2011

    I love this to much!!!! and the blog! congrats:)

    thinkyogurt.blogspot.com

  94. Kathleen    April 11, 2011

    Hey, you guys, I saw this online as GRAMPO E LINHA BRACELET. “Grampo e linha” is Portuguese, and it means “hair pin and thread”, the materials used to make the bracelet.

  98. David    April 20, 2011

    This does look like a fun trendy way to make use of materials you probably have on hand. The choice of colors means you can easily create co-ordinated sets.

  100. K    April 23, 2011

    This is so awesome! I got some curb chain bracelets from the Salvation Army store today. So looking forward to making this, I love the bracelet with the skull charms – so gonna try to find some similar charms! So simply stunning and amazing!

  101. OO    April 23, 2011

    ITS CERTAINLY TOO MUCH “GOLD” FOR A DIY THING, BUT YOU KNOW, THESE DAYS EVERYONE WANNA BE COOL AND DIY ITS BEGINING TO BE VERY POPULAR AROUND EVERY KINDS OF PEOPLE, AND NOW THERE’S MORE LUXURY ABOUT IT, MORE THAN EVER, WHAT I THINK IT’S NOT THAT AWESOME,…
    I DIM MY OLDSTUFF’S SUCH AS ROTTEN CLOTHES AND APPARRELS, DOESN’T SEEM MUCH OF THE CONCEPT INDEED DOING IT WITH WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY NEW GOLD BRACELET, BUT WHATEVER.

  102. Casey    April 24, 2011

    I love this website and I love this idea! very easy twist that makes something ohsewcute. love it and anything that takes me one step closer to being artsy-er than my friends

  103. Lacie    April 27, 2011

    I found a curb link bracelet on Ebay for cheap! You can also get it from Amazon.. I love this idea! Thank you so much for the tutorial!

  106. beadinggem    May 1, 2011

    Honestly…WTF have some of the most creative minds I’ve come across. This tutorial is awesome and deserves a wider audience. There will definitely be a link back when I feature this tutorial in an upcoming post. My readers must visit here for sure! Pearl

  107. ILoveDIY    May 5, 2011

    I LOVE THIS!!! MAde it with a slightly different chain and different colors. Still LOVE it though

  109. Alba    May 16, 2011

    OMG!! Love this bracelet!!! I want it! How I can buy this? Thanks

  110. Alba    May 16, 2011

    OMG! Love this bracelet!! How can I buy it? Thanks

  111. erica    May 16, 2011

    @Alba, the bracelet was from American Apparel but they are currently sold out. You can purchase a similar one from here or here. Hope that helps!

  112. Polina    May 24, 2011

    question…where did u get the bracelet from your tutorial??

  113. Alba    May 29, 2011

    I love this bracelet!!!!!!!!!! I want buy it!!!! How can I do it??? Please please answer me!!!!!!

  114. Sellz    May 31, 2011

    I LOVE this DIY and like everyone else cant wait to make one myself! I have tons and tons and TONS of embroidery thread that I have been saving hoping a project would pop up, and voila! I’m curious tho on how I know a chain is “curb link”? I looked it up on google but couldn’t find anything and was wondering if you had any shopping tips? I am going to visit a local bead shop to purchase some chain, how would I distinguish which chain is curbed or not? (of course I’ll also be asking the folks that work there…but still wanted to ask here too) Thankx!

  115. Jessica    June 1, 2011

    i absolutely love this diy, but i have no idea where to find one of these curb links that arent expensive and there arent many places here in hong kong where you can get them! so i was wondering if you can link me to a few online options :) thanks! Xxx

  117. Aliciae    June 7, 2011

    Where is a good place to get the chain bracelet. I can’t find a good one anywhere!

  118. Shana R    June 11, 2011

    I searched for cheap curb link chain to do this project for awhile…I ended up buying vintage lots of chain, and found quite a few perfect bracelet lengths of curb chain. So for everyone trying to buy the chain, try etsy or ebay and search for lots of assorted chains. They’re usually around $10 for a bag full.

  123. Leslie    June 23, 2011

    Fabulous, absolutely fabulous, I am thinking..where is my embroidery floss? I know I have some. This looks like a great alternative to kumihimo. I’m thinking – belts. Absolutely – belts. If I ever do it (I’m Queen of UFO) I’ll let you know.

  124. Missa    June 26, 2011

    Love this. It took me a bit but I found my chain at Icing by Clairs for just $6.50. It was a necklace but I just removed the extra links to make it a bracelet.

  125. Shelbey    June 27, 2011

    love love love this idea and want to give it a go, one problem: curb link bracelets. where oh where do you find the little devils?!

  126. Kassandra @ Coffee and their Kisses    June 30, 2011

    Hello! I’m Kassandra and I featured this awesomeness here at my blog Coffee and their Kisses. I hope you’ll come by and grab a featured button located at the end of the post. Thanks so much! Have a great day!!

  128. Shannen    July 7, 2011

    Can youu make Woven chain braclets with any type of chain, big or small?

  129. yasmin    July 8, 2011

    i love it and i tried to do it but i cant do it. can you help me? How many centimeters in length of strings should be?TMy chain is smaller and different.there are 18 units round. length of the rope should be how many cm?

  133. pia    July 25, 2011

    amazing!! love it!
    but where do you get the chains from??

  134. Erica    July 25, 2011

    @Pia, the links in the supply list will direct you straight to where to buy! good luck!

  136. Jewelry buyers king    July 30, 2011

    Lovely bracelets – fun DIY Chain link bracelets, with colorful threads woven through them, have been popping up here and there.

  137. Caitlin    July 31, 2011

    Just made one of these today following the steps! So easy and such a cute bracelet! I can’t wait to wear it out!

  139. BrooklynzFinest    August 1, 2011

    just completed one and it looks Awesome! Thnx!

  140. Indiana    August 1, 2011

    Hi love this tutorial but i have two questions first is it the same technique if i want to use just one group of colir and my other question is what if i want to use a smaller chain with smaller links thanks everyone

  142. ASHWIN    August 8, 2011

    Good and not so tricky and love it. Find multuple ways to DIY kind of stuff when u visit India with more than 30 provinces each state having varying arts.

  144. Peacock Princess    August 12, 2011

    Very, very creative! I just subscribed to your blog! Got here from xoxotrina :) I’ll be trying this soon! THANK YOU!

  145. kayce.    August 14, 2011

    the link you provide for the overstock bracelet is different from the one modeled in several of the pictures; where did you get the one with the bigger, flatter links?

  146. Maggie    August 19, 2011

    I love this DIY. Does anyone know where to get curb chain bracelets??

  147. Jennifer    August 28, 2011

    this is adorable!! and i hAVE to make it. can you please tell me how thick the chain you used is? thank u!! =)

  148. hannah    August 29, 2011

    I’m having a hard time using a smaller link bracelet. Can you break down the braiding more? or show more photos it’s not really working out.

  149. sarah    September 8, 2011

    i loooooved this idea so i tried it with similar colors like you used, but a silver bracelet. it turned out great thanks so much for posting this diy!! xx

  154. Maria    November 17, 2011

    FANTASTIC.. amazing..
    i think i will make a ton of these for the summer, bet they’d look bloody brilliant stacked.

  155. Rachael    December 11, 2011

    Thank you so much for this DIY! I found some bracelets on sale for $3 at wal-Mart. My girls are all getting these for Christmas. I about choked to see this was $325 on that website. Holy wowza!

  159. Chris    January 9, 2012

    I’d like to know where to get the ‘blue skulls’ that are shown on the top bracelet.

  163. Karri    January 20, 2012

    I love this and was wondering where I can buy the curb link bracelet????

  170. Care    January 29, 2012

    Dear “Honestly…WTF”,
    I seriously seriously want to make this bracelet. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s abso-toodlyoodley-darling! But I also really really like to make things right. Would it be too much if you tell me exactly where you got the curb link bracelet you used? Just email me the address, I can wait for it to restock or whatever. But everywhere I’ve searched doesn’t have exactly the look I’m going for.
    Thanks a million!
    Care

  171. Natalie    February 11, 2012

    i reallyyy love the way you made this bracelet!! but i also love the simplicity of the other two on your arm in the last picture. i was wondering how small those chains are or where you got it? all 3 look great together!

    Thanks

  172. Dale    February 15, 2012

    after looking through all of your DIY bracelet tutorials, I plan on going on a bracelet-making frenzy!

    simplewordslittlethings.wordpress.com

  173. Angie    February 25, 2012

    I just did it! IT’S AMAZING!! And so easy!! I looveeeee iiiittt!! Great Idea thanks! I bought so much chain to do a lot of different colors :)

    I’ll post it on my blog soon :)

  174. Jordana    February 29, 2012

    Thank you for this amazing DIY.
    I ‘m looking for the BIG bracelet like yours, how many mm is it?
    It’s hard to realize on the seller’s pictures if it’s a big or a litlle one.

  175. Erin    March 3, 2012

    I am gonna have to try this! I have to begin to think if somehow I can tie this into my glass bead jewelry business perles de verre!

  177. MaviDeniz    April 3, 2012

    OMG! I’m so happy I found your website. Your so creative and I love all these DIY ideas :)

    Xo

  178. Noel    April 11, 2012

    What kind of paint do you recommend painting a chain like this? Any prep work for the chain? Thank you for your help!

  179. MAGGIE    April 18, 2012

    WOW…HOW COOL ARE THESE!!!! I HAVE 3 TEENAGE GRANDDAUGHTERS AND SO TO BE “THE COOL GRAMMIE”, I THINK THESE WILL MAKE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!! I LOVE CRAFTS AND THE EASIER AND MORE COLORFUL AND OUTLANDISH…THE BETTER!!! THANKS FOR THE DIY BRACELET IDEA!!! :)

  183. Arianna    May 14, 2012

    I love your tutorials.. Can you tell me where can i found the skull in the turquoise bracelets ?

  186. Julia    May 27, 2012

    Hi Erica! This bracelet is really cute but I don’t know where to buy the curb link chain…I don’t really need it to be real gold just a simple chain. If you have any suggestions on where to buy a curb link chain please let me know by email :)

  188. Sam    June 9, 2012

    Love it! Can’t wait to start it once my exams are over! >.<

  189. Magie B    June 11, 2012

    What size is the chain you have? It looks larger than 10mm… I’m having THE HARDEST time finding “chunkier” curb chain! :(

  192. Michelle    July 3, 2012

    Hey Erica!!!

    I just wanted to know where you get all your materials when you make your DIY bracelets. Can you please contact me by email? Thanks so much!!! :)

  195. Iris    July 13, 2012

    Hello!
    First, what a nice tutorials!
    But i have to ask where can i order for a
    Low price these chains?
    I hope you can find a cheap one!
    It doesnt matter if it is in america or what ever
    As long i can order them online!
    Thanks a lot!
    Iris

  196. E-von    July 15, 2012

    This is so hot right now! I love a big chain bracelet with a touch of DIY :)

  198. Christina    July 21, 2012

    Hi, was just wondering what thickness in thread did you use to make the bracelet?

  200. U dvou Verunek    August 3, 2012

    I really like it, the only problem for me is where buy the chain… I am bit of allergic for some metals… Anyway really great tutorial! Veronika

  202. Monica    August 24, 2012

    Is there a difference between embroidery thread and embroidery floss?

  204. Susana    September 12, 2012

    Hi Loved the tutorial, but I could only find curb link necklaces, is it possible to cut into a bracelet? How can I cut it?
    thanks :)

  206. Stephanie S.    September 16, 2012

    I just had to let you know that I made two of these bracelets before I went in the hospital. Before appointments I wore them and have gotten so many compliments. Thank you so much for sharing and the tutorial is great.

  207. jenabovetherainbow    September 19, 2012

    Thank you so much for this nice tutorial! I made 4 of these bracelets and I just love them <3 It was so easy and so cheap <3 Many of my friends keep asking me, whether I would make them one- even for money!
    I have made a blogpost and even linked to this tutorial, just wanted to let you know :) Have a nice day!

    jen

    ps.: here is the link to my blog post <3

  212. CASSY    October 13, 2012

    LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO0OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FIND A D,0 Z N

  213. MissKacey    October 15, 2012

    I tried and tried and tried for an hour and a half to do this but could only get to the 2nd or 3rd link before I was just twisting the thread around the links and not really braiding. I think I’m too dyslexic, or too stupid to do it. I am beyond bummed! I’d love to see a video tutorial so I could follow along step by step. Otherwise I’m going to have to make my Mom braid my bracelet :-/

  214. MissKacey    October 15, 2012

    OK I ended up finding a YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ojoFg61Hr4 actually showing how to braid it and then I was like “OH DUH!” So I finished mine! I used a gold Juicy Couture charm bracelet and here’s how it came out http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a581/Kari_Charneski/285035_4306068243261_1080987628_n.jpg

    Also I picked up some cheap chain link bracelets at Forever 21 (they’re even curb link too! but for some reason they’re not online?) to make some as Xmas gifts for friends!

  215. Creative Hand Studio    October 23, 2012

    I recently found your website and love all the DIY tutorials, thanks so much for sharing. I made a few version of mine, check it out!

  218. Code Of Style    November 1, 2012

    This is such a nice tutorial. I usually give up half way through most of DIYs out there, but not this one! The first one came out surprisingly well, the second one was a success. Thank you for this :)

  219. Juana    November 29, 2012

    Hello….. I’m so in love with those bracelet ….. Where can I buy it (different style) ??????? J

  221. Julia    December 15, 2012

    @Maame Nsiah, ik woon in Nederland en bij de Action hebben ze soms bedelarmbandjes waar je de de bedeltjes af kan slopen…. Ik weet niet of Action ook in België zit?

  223. Rasheida    January 22, 2013

    Love this..and am going to make one..Question where did you happen to find that specific curb link chain? I really like the shape and design of it

  224. Erica    January 22, 2013

    @Rashelda the chain used in this tutorial was purchased from American Apparel. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available! I would recommend searching on Etsy for gold curb link chains. Good luck!

  225. giocondabarahona    March 21, 2013

    hermosas pulseras tiene otros esquemas para compartir me encanta esta tecnica gracias desde Chile le saludo

  226. Amrita    March 21, 2013

    I JUST made mine with a juicy couture charm bracelet and it looks gorgeous!! Thanks Erica!!!

  228. Nicole    May 15, 2013

    Love all the DIYs on this site and want to try them all! Where can you get relatively cheap curb link bracelets? Would love to make a few of these!!!

  229. winnie    June 17, 2013

    Saw someone with one of these as necklace using dog chain. Loved it. No chain was showing though. Do you have a pattern to suit that? Thank you so much for tutorial.

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