Welcome! It’s Day 5 of our Jewelry Around the World Promotion, and we’re so excited to share all of these DIY jewelry projects with you. Not only is this free bracelet pattern so easy, but also so colorful! We can’t wait to make one (or two!) for ourselves.
This petite beaded DIY bracelet features a classic Egyptian pattern found on ancient vessels and jewelry boxes, as well as modern artwork inspired by Ancient Egypt. The square stitch pattern is easy to stitch up and it finishes with a cute button clasp. Read on to find out how to make a friendship bracelet with helpful friendship bracelet instructions.
Materials:
- 6 yards of Fireline or other beading thread
- 1 vintage 10mm glass button
- 3 grams each Japanese seed beads in black, red, green, and blue
Egyptian Jewel Friendship Bracelet Pattern
- Attach a stop bead to about 2 yards of beading thread, leaving an 8 inch tail. Pick up 5 black seed beads and slide them down.
- Pick up 1 black seed bead, and stitch down through the 5th bead added in the previous step. Pull snug, and stitch up through the new bead just added.
- Pick up 1 green seed bead, and stitch down through the 4th bead of the previous row. Pull snug and stitch up through the new green bead.
- Add 2 more green seed beads this way, and a final black seed bead to complete the row.
- Turn the beadwork so that the working thread is pointing towards you. Add 1 black bead, 3 green, and 1 black with square stitch. In the next row, add 5 black seed beads.
- Continue weaving in square stitch to complete the pattern shown below, adding windows of 3 blue rows between rows of red and green. Add new thread as needed. When your beadwork has reached the desired length, finish with a row of all black.
- Weave around the final row to exit from the 4th bead. Pick up 5 black seed beads, plus enough to create a loop around your button. Stitch back through the 4th and 5th beads added at the start.
- Pick up 3 black seed beads, and stitch through the 2nd bead in the final row of the bracelet. Pull snug to form the clasp loop, and test the fit on the button. Weave through the loop once more to strengthen, then weave in the remaining thread.
9. Remove the stop bead from the start of the beadwork, and weave back to the 4th row, exiting from the 4th bead. Pick up 2 black seed beads, the button, and 2 more black seed beads. Pass through the 2nd bead in the same bracelet row and pull snug. Weave through the button section a few more times for strength, then weave in all remaining thread and trim.
What’s your favorite activity to do with your best friend?
Plus, don’t forget to share your jewelry making skills with #jewelryaroundtheworld!
Keep up with Jewelry Around the World and see our other jewelry tutorials here!
- Fall Flower Friendship Bracelet Pattern - September 28, 2015
- Jewelry Around the World Day 5: Egyptian Jewel Friendship Bracelet Pattern - August 21, 2015
My favorite activity would probably classify as shopping. We like garage sales, re-sale shops and grocery stores! And I knit in the car on the way.
I hope you can clarify something. On this pattern you say attach a stop bead to about 2 yards of beading thread; this bracelet will use 72″ of thread? On a lot of patterns it calls for anywhere from 2 yards to 7 yards and the project cannot possibly use all of that thread. Can you explain how this works exactly?
Love the colors on this bracelet. Thanks for the pattern.
What size wrist does this bracelet fit?
I want to make it for my granddaughter but she has a small wrist.
Thank you