How to make African Zulu Beaded Bangles (Colour: Black/White)

                          
African Zulu Beaded Bangles (Colour: Black/White)


Tool and supplies:

  • Nylon rope
  • Size 12/0 black glass beads
  • Size 12/0 white glass beads
  • Polyester thread
  • Needle
  • Glue gun
  • Glue sticks
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Pen

Step 1: Measure your wrist size. Using a measuring tape, measure around your wrist. Add 6 cm to your wrist measurement, this extra space will ensure the bangle slides smoothly from your hand onto your wrist. For reference, standard bangle sizes are, large (24 cm), medium (22 cm), and small (20 cm).


Step 2: Measure the rope with measuring tape. The measurements recorded with the measuring tape for your wrist will now be used to measure the rope, which is the foundation of the bangle. Use a pen to mark the length size.


Step 3: Cut the rope. Using scissors, cut the rope at the mark you made with the pen, which indicates the desired bangle length.

Step 4: Divide into six equal parts. Using a measuring tape and a pen, divide the rope into six equal sections by marking it accordingly. These sections will correspond to the pattern created by the beads.

Step 5: Apply glue. Using a glue gun, apply glue to the end of the rope.

Step 7: Join the Two Ends. Once the glue has been applied, press the two ends of the rope together and allow it to dry for 10 seconds.

Step 8: Draw a Line in the Middle of Three Parts. Using a measuring tape, divide three of the six sections of the rope again. Draw a line in the middle of each of these sections with a pen. This will create the black section with a single white row bead pattern design.

Step 9: Attach the Thread. Insert the needle and thread through the marked line, sewing and securing the thread by creating a knot in the rope.

Step 10: Create the Black Row Bead Design. Insert rows of black beads onto the thread and wrap them around the rope. Continue this process until you reach the middle mark.


Step 11: Create the Single White Row Bead Design. At the middle mark, begin the first row of white beads. Wrap the beads around the rope and stop when you reach the beginning of the row of white beads.


Step 12: Create black row bead design. Insert black beads on the thread, roll the beads around the rope until you reach the end of the first part.


Step 13: Create the triangle bead design. To begin the second part of the design, continue the pattern by inserting:
  • First row (×3): One white bead, followed by four black beads on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.
  • Second row (×3): Two white beads, followed by three black beads on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.
  • Third row (×3): Three white beads, followed by two black beads on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.
  • Fourth row (×3): Four white beads, followed by one black bead on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.

Step 14: Create the black and white row bead design. This is a continuation of the second part design.
  • First row: Insert a row of white beads, wrapping them around the rope. Stop when you reach the beginning of the row of white beads.
  • Second row: Insert a row of black beads, wrapping them around the rope. Stop when you reach the beginning of the row of black beads.
This alternating white and black bead row design will cover 7 to 10 rows, depending on the size and measurements of the bangle.

Step 15: Create the triangle bead design. To close off the second part, create the triangle bead design by inserting:
  • First row (×3): One black bead, followed by four white beads on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.
  • Second row (×3): Two black beads, followed by three white beads on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.
  • Third row (×3): Three black beads, followed by two white beads on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.
  • Fourth row (×3): Four black beads, followed by one white bead on the thread. Wrap the beads around the rope.

Step 14: Continue and repeat pattern. Cover the rope with the black and single white row bead design, as well as the triangle design, on the remaining divided sections of the rope until you reach the end.

Step 15: Close off the design. Once the pattern is complete, close off the design by inserting the needle and thread into the rope and creating a knot to secure the beads.


Step 16: Complete. The African Zulu Beaded Bangle is complete.