To make a 7" bracelet using this pattern, you will need the following beads, materials and tools:
- 100 Swarovski crystal bicones, 4mm
- 1 gram size 11 Japanese cylinder beads
- Sterling silver or gold filled clasp of your choice
- Your favorite beading thread - Nymo, Silamide, S-Lon, Wildfire or Fireline
- Thread cutter or scissors
- Size 12 beading needle
For the bracelet I made in this tutorial, I used 4mm Erinite crystal bicones and transparent matte Jade green Delica beads, DB #767.
You can adjust the length of the bracelet by increasing or decreasing the number of units you make for the base of the bracelet.
Getting Started
Because it can be difficult to start and end thread in this bracelet, it's best to use as long as length of thread as you are comfortable doing. The bracelet is stitched in simple single-needle right angle weave with Japanese cylinder beads used as accents.
Cut a 10 foot piece of beading thread and thread a needle on one end. Pick up 4 bicones and push them down to the end of the thread,leaving a tail at least 6 inches long.
(You will use this tail to add the clasp later.)
Pass through the first two bicones to form a loop.
Add the Beads for the Next Unit
Pick up 3 bicones and pass through the bead that you were exiting at the beginning of this step. Pass through the next 2 bicones.
Stitch the Rest of the Bracelet
Continue adding units in this manner until you have used up all the bicones.
If you are adjusting the length of the bracelet, remember that when you add the Japanese cylinder beads in the next step, the length of the bracelet will shrink a bit. Always add two or three units more than you think you will need to ensure that the bracelet is long enough.
Also remember to take into account the size of your clasp.
If you are using a larger clasp, you will need less units. If you are using a smaller clasp or a magnetic clasp, you will need to add additional units.
Note about magnetic clasps: Never use a magnetic clasp if you have a pacemaker, defibrillator or other cardiac device. Always check with your physician before wearing a magnetic clasp because these clasps can interfere with the operation of certain cardiac devices.
Adding the Cylinder Beads
After you have reached the desired length, pass through the next bicone in the bracelet so that you are in either the top or bottom bead of the base.
Pick up 1 cylinder bead and pass directly across into the next bicone. You will have to pull slightly on the thread so that there are no gaps between the bicone, the cylinder bead, and the next bicone.
Repeat until you have added bicones between all the spaces across the top of the bracelet.
Addd Cylinder Beads Along the Bottom of the Bracelet
When you reach the end of the bracelet base, pass needle through the next 2 bicones. Remember to pull snugly to make sure that there are no gaps between the bicone, cylinder bead, and bicone.
Pick up 1 cylinder bead and pass directly across into the next bicone. Repeat across the bottom of the bracelet.
Make sure that your thread is coming out of
To add the clasp, pick up 4 cylinder beads, one half of the clasp, and 4 cylinder beads. Pass through the bicone again and then repeat the thread path to reinforce.
Weave the thread into the bracelet, and tie a few half-hitch knots. Add a drop of glue to the knots if desired. Weave into the bracelet a bit more, then trim thread close to the beadwork.
Repeat for the other half of the clasp, using the tail thread.
The finished easy Swarovski crystal bicone tennis bracelet.