Beaded Bracelet

How a Stretch Bead Strand Is Built

A stretch strand is a loop of elastic cord threaded through beads that have been drilled straight through the center, with the cord ends knotted together to close it. Every bead carries a small share of the stretch when you pull the strand over your hand, so a longer loop spreads the load across more beads than a short one. An accent bead is threaded the same way and changes nothing about the fit; it simply gives the loop a fixed point to orient by.

• Drilled through the center. Each bead turns freely on the cord.
• Knotted to close. The loop has no clasp to open or lose.
• Load shared by every bead. Stretch spreads around the strand as it goes on.

Putting It On Without Straining the Cord

Roll the strand over your hand rather than pulling it wide with your fingers. Fold your thumb into the palm, slip the loop over the fingertips and ease it across the knuckles bead by bead. Pulling one section hard concentrates the stretch in a short length of cord, and that section is where a strand eventually loosens. Taking it off works the same way in reverse, which keeps the tension even for the life of the bracelet.

• Thumb tucked in. A folded thumb makes the hand narrow enough to pass easily.
• Small steps. Short moves keep the stretch spread along the cord.
• The same way off. Reverse the roll instead of tugging the loop wide.

Wood, Stone and Mixed Strands on One Cord

The cord behaves the same whatever is strung on it, but the beads change how a strand wears. A strand of one material has an even weight all the way around. A mixed strand, stone with wood or stone with lava, puts heavier and lighter beads side by side, so it tends to settle with the heavier beads under the wrist. To keep the stone on top, a closer fit holds it there, while a loose fit lets gravity decide. The wooden bracelet and gemstone bracelet pages compare the materials in detail.

• Single material, even weight. The strand looks the same from every side.
• Mixed strands turn. Heavier beads drift downward as you move.
• A closer fit holds the pattern. Snug strands keep the chosen beads on top.

Keep the Cord Fit for Years

Elastic cord lasts longest when it spends most of its life relaxed. Take the strand off before bed and leave it lying loose, keep it out of hot water and off a car dashboard in summer, and leave it to air dry if it gets wet. A cord that is starting to tire gives a warning before it fails: the beads stop sitting close together when the strand is off the wrist. That is the time to retire it or have it restrung, well before it gives way on the street.

• Off at night. Hours at rest keep elastic springy.
• Heat is the enemy. Hot water and hot cars age cord faster than wear does.
• Watch the spacing. Beads that drift apart mean the cord is tiring.