Utility Cord Bangle

by Ashley Weeks Cart

ANNOUNCEMENT: A select number of these bracelets are available for sale here.

I know, I know. ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE UTILITY CORD AND BRACELETS! I couldn’t resist! I had extra utility cord lying around from last week’s project, and was highly inspired by these Orly Genger bangles. Thus, today’s latest DIY accessory. Time to break out some very basic crochet skills.

Materials:
Utility cord
Crochet hook (sized according to utility cord thickness)
Metal chain (optional)

Directions:
1. Chain enough stitches to create a circle that will fit over your wrist. Remember, this is a bangle, so it needs to be able to slide on and off. For the bracelet pictured below, I used 3mm Utility Cord and crochet hook sized US-P (10mm).

2. Connect the chain using a slip stitch. Be sure not to twist the chain when connecting in a circle.

3. Now, in each chain, slip stitch 1 stitch and create as many layers as you’d like. Yes! Just a simple slip stitch. Go round and round until the bangle is the width that you’d like.

4. When you get to the desired width, slide the cord through the last loop and use a flame to melt and secure both ends of the bangle. Be sure to put the melted side against the outside of the bangle, because in the next step you will turn the bangle inside out, and you want to hide the ends.

5. Do just that. Turn the bracelet inside out so that the “wrong” side of the crochet stitch is showing. Of course, you don’t have to do this if you prefer the look right side out – but I like it this way!

6. If you want to mix chain into the bangle, now’s the time. I attached this repurposed, old chain to a large tapestry needle and just wove in and out of the stitches at random to create the look.

7. Secure the chain ends to one another (I used pliers to open up one loop of the chain and attach it to the other end to keep it secure – all this was tucked on the inside of the bangle). Slide on over your wrist and enjoy many a compliment. Pictured below is another sample of this bracelet done with 2mm Utility Cord, without any chain.

Photos: Courtesy of Ashley Weeks Cart