Macrame Bracelets

Several months ago, we started working on macrame bracelets.  Unfortunately, we had some difficulty and chose to set the project aside until we did some additional research.  You can read about our experience here.  By learning to macrame, our Brownies would satisfy Step 5 Enjoy Girl Scout Traditions for the Girl Scout Way badge.  At the same time, our Juniors would complete Step 4 Create Jewelry Inspired by Another Culture for the Jeweler Badge. 

This year we have nine girls in our troop:  six Juniors and three Brownies.  These girls are between the ages of seven and ten.  I wanted to find a video that would show us how to make macrame bracelets without having to use a flame to join cords together.  After watching portions of countless (and often complicated) tutorials on YouTube, I came across a video I knew would provide the best instructions for our group. You can view this 15-minute video called "How to tie a 2 color paracord bracelet without melting the cords together" here.  Thanks to this video, Macrame Bracelets: Take Two was a success!

Prior to our first attempt at making these bracelets, I had purchased packages of parachute cord (4 different colors, 25 yards each) and clips from a craft store.  I cut two pieces of parachute cord for each girl.  Each piece of cord was two yards long.  A flame was used to melt both ends of every cord.  

MY SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS PROJECT:

• Anyone who will be helping the girls make these bracelets should watch this video prior to the meeting.  We had three adults and nine girls, and it still took us about 90 minutes to help them all finish their bracelets.
• Get together with these adults at some point before the meeting to practice   making a macrame bracelet. 
• Connect your electronic device to a television with a USB cord to allow the girls to see and hear the YouTube instructions clearly.  This also allows you to pause and replay the video as needed.
• Cut the parachute cord and melt the tips prior to the meeting.  We used a BBQ lighter to singe the ends.  When it was time to finish the bracelets, we found it was easier to light a candle and use its flame.
• As is mentioned in the video, measure the girls' wrists when they get to the meeting.  Mark the core cords with a Sharpie to show the girls where they should stop the macrame.  For example, if a girl's wrist is 6.5" around, then mark her core cords at 6".  The clip will account for the rest of the length of the bracelet, assuring a perfect fit.
• Place a throw pillow on the table and connect the clip to the pillow with a safety pin.  We had four bracelets anchored to one pillow.  We also taped the core cords to the table to hold them tightly in place (though that is not shown in the picture above).

After our meeting, my eight-year-old daughter asked to make another bracelet.  I helped her through the initial and final steps, but she was able to do the majority of it on her own.  We finished her bracelet in about twenty minutes.  Once the girls learned the technique, the process went rather quickly.  They seemed to have fun with the project, and they all agreed to wear their bracelets to school the next day.  I highly recommend referring to this video tutorial if your girls would like to learn to make macrame bracelets.  I hope you find it to be as helpful as I did!  Thank you for reading.