2nd Attempt at Making a 5 Strand Braided Wrist Band

I am new to braiding leather. Although I feel I have the braiding part down, the attachments I have used to connect it together around my wrist have been coming apart. I believe I have solved this problem. First though, let's go through making a 5 strand braided wrist band.

As I am a Toronto Wolfpack fan (they are a Toronto rugby team playing in the English Rugby league, the worlds first professional Trans-Atlantic team in any sport), I wanted to make a black and white band, which are the team colours, to this Sundays game. It's the most important game of their two year existence. A win puts them into the Superleague, Rugby League's highest division. Teena and I will be there and I'll be wearing the new wristband along with my jersey, scarf and hat.

Time to get to work. I am using black and white suede. I find it easiest to place each strand in order between your fingers one at a time. Make sure they are even. Place your connector over them and crimp from the top, then from each side.

Then I lay it on a white surface as it's easier to see and spread three strands to the left before starting. The diagram is in the picture but after starting you'll realize there is a rhythm to this. The side with the tree strands, take the outside, go over the next strand and then under the next. Now there are three stands on the other side.

Repeat: 3 strand side, outside strand over under. 3 strand side, outside strand over under.

Make it longer than you need. When done, hold the completed strands between your fingers and cut evenly. As in the beginning, place the connector over top and crimp from the top, then each side.

Once this is done, stretch the strap. If you don't, it will naturally stretch while wearing. Cut to the length you want. I cut the side I started with as it is the loosest of the weave.

When I first started, I used split rings on each end, which are split, placed where you want the connection to be, then crimped. I found they eventually pull apart. Now I now use double rings which you thread on. They won't come apart.

I discovered this style of clamp at a beading store, Bling Bling on Queen. I'm unsure what they're called but am sure I'll be heading there to get more. This makes it easy to put on and take of the band.

And here it is, ready to wear with my Wolfpack jersey on Sunday. Oh, the other fans will be so jealous!

Making a 5 Strand Braided Wrist Band

Today I became brave and decided to do a 5 strand braided wrist band.  I didn't start out to do a 5 strand braid but as I didn't have a ribbon crimp (to clamp the ends) small enough to do a 3 strand braid for the width of suede I had bought.

I started by putting the 5 strands of suede together and crimping them. This is tricky. I found it doesn't work well to lay them on a surface and slide in the ribbon crimp. It's better to hold them together in your fingers, set the crimp over them and then crimp.

Here is the braiding diagram I used.

In the picture below you can see that the farther along I went, the better I got. The braid is loose at the top and much tighter below. As I had the rhythm, I undid it all and started again.

I found after going through the steps above, the last step leaves 3 strands on the left and 2 on the right. Now you can begin the rhythm. The side with 3 strands, take the outside strand, put it over the next and then under the one after. Now the 3 strands are on the other side. Do the same:

3 side, over under

3 side, over under

I tightened the braid after each over, under movement. Much better.  

I made the wrist band longer than it needed to be and crimped the end. Then I measured the length it needed to be after affixing the clasp.

I tried different ways to clasp it, so it would be easy to put on and take off. The larger lobster clasp I had worked the best.

And here it is!

As it was my first time doing this, it took awhile. Now that I've done it once, it'll be easier the next time. I just have to remember, outside over under, outside over under ...

Making a Braided Leather Cord Wrist Band

Sunday I made a 3 braid leather strap wrist band. I knew it wouldn't be my last project and perhaps I may have found a new hobby. Today I headed back to Michael's to by some more material and another tool.

My newest project is a fairly easy one. I made a corded wrist band for my Medic Alert ID. I figured that if it didn't work out that I would at least have a cool wrist band to wear.

Here is what I needed. On top is my newest tool, split ring pliers, to cut through those small connector rings called jump rings and help separate split rings, flat needle nose pliers, magnet clasps, (In the picture below they are closed on top row left and separated to the right), crimp closure with an eye, split rings and jump rings and the leather cord.

I tightly crimped the closure onto one end of the cord. I put a jump ring on the eye with one end of the magnet clasp.

Then I measured the length the rings and magnet took and doubled it, as I would need to do that on the other end. I subtracted that from the length of cord I needed to wrap entirely around my wrist. I cut that length of cord and set up that end.

At this point, if you weren't adding anything to it, you are done. The magnets are extremely strong, so there's no worry about them coming apart on their own.

If you are adding something like I did, there are another couple of steps. First of all, don't do anything yet to the open end.

This part I found tricky. The double wound split ring needs to be wound through the hole in whatever you are attaching. For me, it was my Medic Alert ID. There was some swearing as I performed this task.

After putting one on each side, I threaded the cord through it and attached the magnet assembly to the other end, same as the first.

There! Done! Yes, I know I took a picture of it upside down.

The magnets have a very strong connection. They are a bit of a pain to work with as they attach themselves to loose rings, connectors, or the tools you are trying to work with.

I think it looks good. Now ... what to make next?

Making a 3 Braid Leather Strap Wrist Band

Since my operation, I now have to wear a Medic Alert Bracelet but decided I really didn't like the chain it came with. When I suggested to Teena that I was going to order one with a leather strap, she suggested I make my own. Great idea!

We went to Michael's where she showed my different ways I could create one of my choosing ... or maybe a small collection.

I decided to start with a braided wrist band with three braids.  I must admit that since we first met I have promised to learn how to braid her hair. After more than 16 years, this is my first attempt at braiding.

This is what I purchased for my first project: flat leather cording, lobster clasps, jump rings and ribbon clamps.

As I plan to make a few, I bought a small tool kit.

The first thing to do is measure the length that you need to comfortably fit your wrist, including the rings and clasps. For me, this also included the alert medallion. Make sure you cut the leather a little longer as you will lose length from the braiding.

Place the three straps evenly side by side and attach a ribbon clamp.

Tape this end or put a heavy weight on it to be ready to braid. Here is the braiding diagram.

Take the strap on the left and place it over the two straps to the right.

Then take the right side and place it over the two straps on the left.

Tuck the strap you just moved under the left strap.

Take the left strap and put it over the middle strap and under the right side.

I found as I went this was the procedure to remember. left strap, over middle, under right. The strap that is now on the outside right, move over the middle and under the left. Then repeat, over the middle, under outside. Back and forth.

Finally, you end up with this.

Attach the jump rings and lobster clasps where you would like them. I attached them to the medallion so I can switch it between straps. Clamp the straps together.

Now it's ready to wear.

Okay. It's not a thing of beauty but looks pretty good for a first attempt.

I ended up making two as I thought the first one was too small. When I made the second (top picture ... notice it's made much better!), I made sure I used longer straps and cut them to size after the braiding.

It turns out after I attached the rings and clasps, the first one fit best. Ha!

Looks like I have a new hobby. I'm looking forward to making my next one.