Crocheting bracelets is something I want to warn you about in advance, because it is very addictive! I simply can’t get enough of it myself and I keep discovering beautiful patterns and colour combinations. In the beginning you have to push through a little, but once you’ve mastered the technique, it’s not difficult at all and it’s perfect to do on the couch or while on holiday.
If you want to learn bead crochet, it’s a good idea to start practising with larger beads. Choose different colours and an easy pattern so you can clearly see whether your stitches are still turning out correctly.
How do I choose which crochet hook size to use?
The smaller the bead or the thinner the thread (after all, thick thread won’t fit through the tiniest beads), the thinner the crochet hook should be. The most commonly used sizes are:
- 6/0 seed beads: 1.75 mm crochet hook with 0.5 mm C-lon beading cord
- 8/0 seed beads: 1.5 mm crochet hook with C-lon fine weight 0.4 mm beading cord (0.5 mm cord also works — the bracelet will simply become a bit stiffer in shape)
- 11/0 seed beads: 1.25 mm or 1.0 mm crochet hook with C-lon micro bead cord 0.3 mm
- 15/0 seed beads: 0.9 mm crochet hook
The crochet hook should be large enough to easily grab the thread, but small enough to ensure the stitches sit neatly and tightly against each other.
Which thread works best with each crochet hook?
- Crochet hook 1.75 mm: C-lon 0.5 mm beading cord combined with 6/0 seed beads
- Crochet hook 1.5 mm: C-lon fine weight 0.4 mm beading cord combined with 8/0 seed beads
- Crochet hook 1.25 or 1.0 mm: C-lon micro bead cord 0.3 mm combined with 11/0 seed beads
What is the thickness of a beaded crochet bracelet?
Below is a calculation of the bead-rope diameter based on the number of beads per round:
15/0 seed beads
- 5 beads – 4.9 mm
- 6 beads – 5.2 mm
- 7 beads – 5.9 mm
- 8 beads – 6.2 mm
- 9 beads – 6.5 mm
- 10 beads – 6.9 mm
11/0 seed beads
- 5 beads – 6.2 mm
- 6 beads – 6.5 mm
- 7 beads – 7.5 mm
- 8 beads – 7.8 mm
- 9 beads – 8.4 mm
- 10 beads – 9 mm
8/0 seed beads
- 5 beads – 8.4 mm
- 6 beads – 8.5 mm
- 7 beads – 8.7 mm
- 8 beads – 9.75 mm
- 9 beads – 11 mm
- 10 beads – 12.5 mm
Finding it difficult to put together your own combination of colors?
We have created a number of kits for you so you don’t have to worry about choosing.
How do you calculate the number of beads and the length you need to string?
Calculate the length using our crochet calculator: https://www.creadream.nl/crochetcalculator/
Formula for calculating the length:
Wrist circumference ÷ bead diameter = the number of rounds you need to crochet.
Then multiply the number of rounds by the number of beads per round.
Example:
- Wrist circumference: 180 mm
- Bead diameter: 1.3 mm
- Pattern width: 6 beads
- 180 ÷ 1.3 = 138.5 (this is the number of rounds)
- 138.5 × 6 = 831 (this is the total number of beads you need to string)
- 831 × 1.3 = 1080 mm / 108 cm (this is the total length you need to string)
To make it easier, here are some ready-made calculations:
(bracelet pattern 6 beads wide)
- Wrist circumference 17 cm → 101 cm stringing length
- Wrist circumference 18 cm → 108 cm stringing length
- Wrist circumference 19 cm → 114 cm stringing length
- Wrist circumference 20 cm → 120 cm stringing length
Different patterns
If you already have some experience, it can be fun to try a small pattern. Below are a few examples we made. On the right, you can see the pattern indicated with the number of beads to string per color.
For example: 2× white, 2× green, 2× white, 2× yellow, 1× white, 2× green, 1× white, 2× yellow. This makes 1 full repeat of your pattern.
Always string the pattern in full and do not stop halfway — when you assemble the bracelet, it will flow smoothly and look seamless.
How to create your own pattern:
These patterns are made using Jbead.ch, a website where you can download free software to create your own crochet bead patterns. The patterns you see above in the examples are where you can fill in your colors.
Tips & Tricks:
- Always string 1 or 2 pattern repeats longer than you need. If there is a mistake in your pattern, you can carefully crush the beads in that row with pliers.
- When crushing beads, make sure to place a needle between the pliers and the thread. This way, the bead will break, but the thread is protected from being accidentally cut by the sharp edges of the broken bead.
- Always finish with 1 full repeat of the pattern (do not stop halfway). This ensures the end of the bracelet matches smoothly with the beginning.
- Use beads that have enough contrast. If the colors are too similar, the pattern will be hard to see. High contrast makes your pattern stand out beautifully.
- Check your pattern occasionally while stringing. Mistakes happen quickly, and it’s frustrating to have to undo a large section later.
- To verify your pattern, lay out a sample row as an example. Then, as you crochet, you can place your work next to the sample row and instantly see if it matches, preventing mistakes.
- If you run out of beads at the end, you can cut the spool and continue stringing the pattern. Make sure your thread is long enough to finish the bracelet — it’s a shame to run out! I usually free one repeat of the pattern to ensure I can continue correctly.
- If you want to crochet in a single color, make sure the number of beads is divisible by the number of beads per round. If you have leftover beads, remove a number that is also divisible by the beads per round. This ensures the start and end of the bracelet align perfectly.
- If you cannot use thread in the same color as your bracelet (for example, when using many colors), it’s better to choose a darker color that blends in rather than a very light color like white, which stands out.
- To get the right bracelet length: take notes of how many centimeters you’ve strung for each bracelet and check after crocheting how much was too long or too short. This helps you know how much to string in the future. The thicker the bracelet (larger beads or more beads per round), the longer it needs to be to fit over your wrist. Always string a little extra, in case of mistakes or miscalculations — I usually add about 15 cm.
- Minimum beads per round: larger beads allow you to work with fewer beads. With 6/0 beads, you can easily crochet with 4 beads per round; with 11/0 beads, it’s much more difficult. You can crochet with either an odd or even number of beads.
- Over time, the bracelet may stretch slightly, so it’s better not to make it too loose.
Have fun crocheting!