Tips & Techniques
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
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In just a few easy steps, make a stretchy bracelet with round beads and a charm for a touch of your personal style. Stack the bracelets for a textured and on-trend look!
First, gather your supplies… You’ll need the following:
- A length of stretch cord. The 0.8mm size is the best bet for most beads. Use the 1mm cord size if you know the holes on your beads is large enough.
- About 22 8mm beads to string on the cord.
- Shears or cutters to cut the cord, and some adhesive.
- A meaningful charm or tassel, and findings to connect it to the cord.
The supplies you’ll need are shown above
Step 1 – Cut 11” of stretch cord. (Tip: if you use a bit of adhesive along the end and then cut a touch off at an angle, you will have a easier time stringing your beads). Begin stringing your beads. You will use approximately 22 8mm round beads. If you want to hide your knot, you’ll also need 1 bead with a larger hole to be strung first.
Step 1 shown above
Step 2 – when all of your beads are strung, test the size around your wrist. If the size feels good, tie a knot, pulling securely. Make sure not to pull too tightly, you don’t want to take out all the stretch. Carefully add a touch of adhesive to this part of the knot.
Step 2 shown above
Step 3 – Tie another overhand knot, making sure that it’s tight. Add a touch more adhesive to the knot before trimming the tails approximately 3mm from the knot. Tuck the knot into the larger hole bead that you strung at the beginning, or if you prefer, leave your knot exposed. In this design, the large hole bead I used, is a slide bail with a little charm hanging off.
Step 3 shown above
Now, it’s ready to wear! 
Stack several bracelets for a textured, on-trend look!
More inspiration…
Designs using this Technique:
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Feb 05, 2017 at 12:55 pm #
Digidiva says:A friend gave me a bunch of beads and asked me to make some stretch bracelets for her. These instructions are perfect.
On Feb 05, 2017 at 1:30 pm #
T Nolan says:I love making stretch bracelets. They are super easy and so stylish. I have not used a bail slider before I have a few and I’m going to try them today.
Thanks for the ideas
On Feb 05, 2017 at 4:51 pm #
Diane N says:I’ve been making these for years, but never thought to glue both overhand sections of the knots – thanks for the tip!
On Feb 05, 2017 at 6:10 pm #
M Neal says:These instructions are so easy. I had followed some others, and they were awful! So, many thanks for this!!! Perfect!!!
On Jul 11, 2017 at 11:18 pm #
S Behn says:I never thought about using a bail slide.Thanks for that idea.
On Jul 13, 2017 at 7:57 pm #
Y Kirkland says:Love these..great look..super easy!
On Jul 29, 2017 at 4:58 pm #
Roger W says:Ready to start making men’s jewelry, I think this is the place I can order all my supplies from.
On Jan 23, 2018 at 4:47 pm #
Evan N says:Do you have to use the glue?
On Feb 02, 2018 at 10:12 am #
Moogie says:The glue really helps the stretch cord stay in that knot & also into the bead you’re hiding it in, if you use one (I recommend). And I have used both Hypo Cement & E6000, & prefer E6000 because it stays stretchy rather than get brittle. Either would work. Just sharing my experience…if you make some, take a few pictures and share in the Design Gallery!
On Feb 17, 2018 at 6:56 pm #
C Lamorte says:I agree about the need for glue – it’s essential for a stretch bracelet that won’t come undone! For ease of gluing (in a way that minimizes the amount of glue needed as well as allowing maximum control over its placement) I prefer Hypo Cement. It’s all a matter of preference – I’ve used both but tend to use Hypo more often.
On May 29, 2018 at 5:28 pm #
A Frantz says:I am very new to beading and love tutorials online.
On Jul 02, 2018 at 1:36 pm #
D Sgrignoli says:What size of cording to use for 6mm stone beads? Thank you in advance!
Respectfully,
~Denise~
On Sep 19, 2018 at 7:21 am #
BeckyAnn N says:Thanks
On May 15, 2019 at 12:26 pm #
Gabriele P says:The stretch material used in this tutorial doesn’t seem like the one listed. Can someone please let me know what the black string is called used.
On Jul 18, 2019 at 6:21 pm #
Sheri Z says:I enjoy the tutorials.
On Jul 21, 2019 at 6:51 pm #
J rovner says:best tutorial I’ve read in a long time. i’ll be making some tonight!
On Aug 10, 2019 at 9:38 pm #
S Gogna says:Gabriele P: the stretch cording comes in black and clear. They used black here.
On Sep 05, 2019 at 11:47 am #
C Edmonds says:I used the elastic cord for awhile,but switched to the nylon cord for more strength(.05mm),because my heavy beads were making the stretch cord sag after awhile. I use stretch cord for lightweight beads. I am finding so many helpful hints here on this thread!! So glad to have found this forum!!
On Jan 18, 2021 at 11:28 am #
Joy T says:I’ve read in other tutorials to cut the elastic cord length needed and lightly pull each end two times before stringing beads.
On May 04, 2021 at 9:52 am #
Tater says:Excellent tutorial and superb photos. Cute bracelet!
On Sep 30, 2021 at 12:38 pm #
J Jackowitz says:You carry the most beautiful beads, bar none. I tie a surgeon’s knot for more security, but it even slips sometimes. Do you recommend that kind of knot?
On Jan 05, 2022 at 11:03 am #
Kat R says:Love the instructions, but which stretch cord are you using? I don’t see one like it for sale.
Thanks,
Kat
On Mar 14, 2022 at 6:00 am #
S Brewer says:I want to string the wool beads together with elastic thread in a needle. Which size elastic thread & needle do you recommend for this?
Thanks,
Sue