Creating A Wedding Wish Bracelet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wish bracelets are a fun and easy craft project that can be made with simple materials. The idea behind a wish bracelet is that you make a wish when you put it on, and the bracelet is designed to eventually break down and the beads fall off one by one. Once all the beads are gone, your wish is expected to come true. They are perfect as wedding favours, gifts for friends and family, or as a fun activity to do with a group.

To make a wish bracelet, you will need some hemp string, scissors, and beads. Cut three pieces of hemp to about 15 inches for a wrist bracelet or 20 inches for an ankle bracelet. Tie the strands together in an overhand knot, leaving about 2 inches of slack. Braid the hemp down about 2 to 3 inches, and then start adding your beads. Thread a bead onto the right-hand strand and then braid it into the bracelet. Repeat this process with the new right-hand strand, adding as many beads as you like. Finish by braiding down another few inches and doing another overhand knot.

You can also add wishbone-shaped charms to your bracelet for a fun variation. To make these, you will need wire, a jeweler's hammer and block, round nose pliers, and oval pliers. Cut a piece of wire about 30mm long for each charm and use the pliers to create a small loop at one end. Twist the loop about a quarter of the way around and then use the oval pliers to gently curve the sides inwards to create a wishbone shape. Braid this into your bracelet as you would with the beads.

Choosing the right materials

Hemp Twine or String:

Start by choosing a good-quality hemp twine or string as the base for your bracelet. The thickness of the twine can vary depending on your preference, but it should be strong enough to hold the beads securely. You can find hemp twine in various colours at craft stores.

Beads:

Select beads that complement the colour of your hemp twine. You can choose beads in a single colour or go for a mix of colours to create a vibrant design. Be sure to select beads with holes large enough to fit your twine comfortably. Seed beads are a popular choice, but you can also use lettered beads to spell out a word or name.

Charms:

Adding charms to your wish bracelet can give it a special touch. You can find a variety of charms at craft stores, or you can even make your own wishbone-shaped charms using wire and pliers. Charms add a unique element to your bracelet and can be meaningful to the recipient.

Cardstock:

If you plan to present your wish bracelet as a gift, consider mounting it on a cardstock card. Choose a sturdy cardstock that can withstand some wear and tear. You can opt for a simple colour like brown kraft or go for something more eye-catching like white shimmer.

Tools:

To assemble your wish bracelet, you'll need some basic tools. Scissors are a must for cutting your twine to the desired length. You may also want a clipboard or tape to secure your twine while braiding. Additionally, if you're adding charms, you'll need tools like pliers and a jeweller's hammer.

Pen and Poetry:

Including a personalised note or poem with your wish bracelet adds a thoughtful touch. Choose a pen that writes smoothly and won't smudge easily. You can write your own poem or find inspiration online. Your note can be as simple or elaborate as you like!

Cutting the hemp

Once you have cut the hemp to the desired length, you will need to tie the strands together in an overhand knot, leaving about 2 inches of slack at the end. This will allow you to tie the bracelet on when you are finished braiding. To tie an overhand knot, simply cross the end of the hemp over the rest of the hemp, forming a Q-shape. Then, tuck the tail of the hemp through the loop and pull tight.

Now you are ready to start braiding! Secure the knotted end of the hemp with a clipboard or a small piece of tape, and begin braiding the three strands together. Braid down about 2-3 inches, depending on your desired bracelet length.

Adding beads

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Collect all the necessary materials, including hemp twine or string, scissors, and beads of your choice. You can find these supplies at any local craft store.

Step 2: Cut and Tie the Hemp Strands

Cut three pieces of hemp, each about 15 inches long for a wrist bracelet or 20-24 inches for an ankle bracelet. Tie the strands together at one end with an overhand knot, leaving about 2 inches of slack for tying the bracelet later.

Step 3: Begin Braiding the Hemp

Secure the knotted end of the hemp strands to a clipboard or tape them to a flat surface. Braid the strands together for about 2-3 inches, depending on your desired bracelet length.

Step 4: Add the Beads

Take the strand of hemp on the right and thread a bead onto it. Push the bead up close to the braid and then braid that strand into the center. Repeat this process with the new right-hand strand, adding another bead and braiding it into the center.

Step 5: Continue Braiding and Adding Beads

Keep adding beads to the new right-hand strand and braiding them into the bracelet. You can add as many beads as you like, but traditionally, 7 beads are used as it is considered a lucky number.

Step 6: Finish Braiding and Tie the Bracelet

Once you've added all the beads, continue braiding the hemp strands for another 2-3 inches. Finish off by tying another overhand knot at the end, leaving enough slack to tie the bracelet around your wrist or ankle.

Step 7: Make a Wish and Tie the Bracelet

Now, simply tie the bracelet around your wrist or ankle and make a wish! The wish bracelet is designed to wear down over time, and when all the beads fall off, your wish is believed to come true.

Braiding the bracelet

To make a wedding wish bracelet, you'll need to braid three pieces of hemp twine together. First, cut your twine to the desired length, depending on whether you want to make a bracelet for your wrist or ankle. You'll need about 15 inches for a wrist bracelet and 20-24 inches for an ankle bracelet.

Once you've cut your twine, you'll need to tie the strands together at one end with an overhand knot, leaving about two inches of slack. Then, braid the strands together for about two and a half inches.

Now it's time to start adding your beads! Take the strand of hemp on the right and thread a bead onto it. Push the bead up to the edge of the braid, then braid this strand into the center. Repeat this process with the new right-hand strand, adding a bead to each new right-hand strand as you go. You can add as many beads as you like, but seven is considered a lucky number.

Once you've added all your beads, continue braiding for another few inches, then finish off with another overhand knot. Now your bracelet is ready to tie on and make a wish!

Adding charms

Wishbone charms

These charms are a fun alteration to conventional beads and can be made from wire. Cut a piece of wire for the charm – you will need about 30mm or 3cm for each one. Use round-nose pliers to make a small loop in the wire by twisting one end over the other and pulling downwards. Twist the loop about a quarter of the way around so that it is sideways, with the strands hanging off either side. Then, use oval pliers to gently curve the sides of the loop inwards so that it looks like a wishbone. Thread the loop through the twine and push it to the edge of the braid, then braid the wishbone charm into the centre of the bracelet.

Beads

Beads are the most common type of charm for wish bracelets. You can use lettered beads to spell out a word, or choose beads in your favourite colours or a variety of shapes. Thread the beads onto the right-hand strand of twine and then braid them into the centre of the bracelet. Repeat this process, adding beads to the new right-hand strand each time. You can add as many beads as you like, but seven is thought to be a lucky number.

Heart or star beads

Add a little heart or star bead to your wish bracelet for a simple yet effective design.

Gold and silver shapes

Try adding some gold or silver charms in the shape of stars, hearts, or other symbols that are meaningful to you.

Frequently asked questions