If you’re looking for a small project, that you can finish in one go, this bracelet is perfect for you. With just your crochet supplies and a few jewellery materials, you can create a gorgeous accessory that goes with any outfit, from elegant evening dress to a flowy summer outfit.
Tools & Materials
To get started, you’ll need just about five grams of a lace weight yarn, I recommend using mercerised cotton as it has a nice sheen, and it crochets up very smoothly. I used Hobbii Rainbow Lace in the colourway deep jungle green (no. 100).
Additionally, I used a 2mm crochet hook, and you’ll also want to have a pair of scissors and a small tapestry needle on hand. In order to turn it into a bracelet, you’ll need a little bit of jewellery chain, a jewellery clasp, a few metal split rings and small jewellery pliers. Even though this step is optional, I’d also highly recommend blocking supplies for this one, as otherwise it will not lay flat as nicely.
Crocheting the bracelet
Start by making a slip stitch and chaining 55 stitches.
For the next row, make one turning chain and single crochet back along the entire chain.
How to do a berry stitch
Afterwards, make on turning chain and then you’ll need to start the row by making a berry stitch. In order to do this, start with a yarn-over, then go through the first stitch and pull through the yarn. Now you should have three stitches on your hook, pull the yarn though only the first loop. Afterwards, yarn over and go through the same stitch (same V as before) again, pull the yarn through the stitch, and afterwards again pull the yarn through only the first loop on your hook; now you should be left with five loops already. Repeat this two more times (which will lead to a total of nine loops on your hook) but on the fourth time, instead of pulling the yarn only through the first loop, pull it through eight loops (all loops except the last one). Now you’re left with two loops, pull through both of them, and that’s the first berry stitch done!
Tip: when creating the loops on your hook, pull the hook up a bit to stretch out the loops, this will make pulling through the yarn in the end a lot easier. It feels quite finicky at first, but with some practise it’s quite easy to do.
In order to work the stitch pattern for the row, after you’ve made the first berry, chain three and slip stitch into the third stitch from where you made the berry (skipping two V’s). Then chain three again, skip two stitches and make another berry into the third stitch. Repeat this for a total of nine times and then finish off the row by adding one last berry stitch.
Once this is done, turn your work and chain five. Then slip stitch into the top of the next berry to connect the two. Repeat this eight more times.
For the next row, make one turning chain, afterward single crochet seven times into each chain space that you just created.
Then chain one to create a corner and rotate your work by ninety degrees and then slip stitch along the small side of the bracelet (I usually make a total of three slip stitches but it’s not an exact science, this is just to give some stability before adding the chain and clasp later). Then chain one again and once more rotate your work by ninety degrees.
Now single crochet into each chain space that was created in the beginning. Afterwards, slip stitch along the other small side of the bracelet as well. Now you’re ready to cut the yarn and pull it all the way through the final loop in order to bind off.
Weave in the ends and now I highly recommend blocking your bracelet before adding the chain and clasp. I used a blocking mat, sewing pins and a garment steamer. However, if you don’t have blocking supplies, you could also pin it onto your ironing board and use your iron to steam block (if your iron has a steam function). Be careful not to directly touch your work or the pins with the iron if you’re using the second method!
Finishing the bracelet
Finally, using your jewellery pliers, add a split ring to both ends of the bracelet, and add the jewellery clasp to one end and the chain into the other ring. As the jewellery chain I had is too small for the clasp to fit through, I added a few more rings to the chain through which I can close the bracelet.
If you like, you can also attach one more ring to the large chain space in the middle of the bracelet and add a charm or stone to it.
And voila, congratulations on making yourself a beautiful piece of jewellery! A word of warning – you’ll probably have to make several more for your friends or family now…
