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

African Zulu Beaded Bangles (Colour: White/Black)

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


Step 1: Measure the size of your wrist. Using a measuring tape, measure the size of your wrist. Add 6cm to the measurement of your wrist, the addition will ensure that the bangle moves smoothly from your hand to your wrist.

The average size of a large bangle is 24cm, medium size bangle is 22cm and small size bangle is 20cm.



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 a pair of scissors, cut the rope on the place marked with the pen, which marks the length size of the bangle.


Step 4: Divide into six equal parts. Using a measuring tape and pen, divide the rope into six equal parts, by marking the rope with a pen. The six equal parts are for the pattern created by the beads.


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


Step 7: Join the two ends. Once the glue has been applied, stick the two ends of the rope together and let it dry for 10 seconds.

Step 8: Draw a line in the middle, on three parts of the rope. Three of the six parts will be divided again with a measuring tape, with a line drawn in the middle using a pen. This is done to create the black with single white row bead pattern design.


Step 9: Attach thread. Insert the needle and thread on the marked line by sowing and securing the thread by creating a knot in the rope.


Step 10: Create white row bead design. Insert rows of white beads on the thread and roll the beads around the rope, continue until you reach the middle mark.


Step 11: Create single black row bead design. On the middle mark begin the first row of black beads, roll the beads around the rope and stop the row when you see the beginning of the row of white bead.


Step 12: Create white row bead design. Insert white 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 black bead, followed by four white beads on the thread, roll the beads around the rope.
  • Second row (×3): two black beads, followed by three white beads on the thread, roll the beads around the rope.
  • Third row (×3): three black beads, followed by two white beads on the thread, roll the beads around the rope.
  • Fourth row (×3): four black beads, followed by one white bead on the thread, roll 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 one row of black beads, roll the beads around the rope then stop once you see the beginning of the row of white beads
  • Second row: continue by inserting a row of white beads, roll the beads around the rope then stop once you see the beginning of the row of black beads.
  • This black and white bead row design will cover 7-10 rows, depending on the size and measurement 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 white bead, followed by four black beads on the thread, roll the beads around the rope.
  • Second row (×3): two white beads, followed by three black beads on the thread, roll the beads around the rope.
  • Third row (×3): three white beads, followed by two black beads on the thread, roll the beads around the rope.
  • Fourth row (×3): four white beads, followed by one black bead on the thread, roll the beads around the rope.

Step 16: Continue and repeat pattern. Cover the rope with the white and single black row bead design and triangle bead design on the remaining divided parts of the rope until you reach the end of the rope.

Step 17:  Close off the design. Once the pattern is complete, close off the design by inserting the needle and thread into the rope by creating a knot to secure the beads.

Step 18: Complete. The African Zulu Beaded Bangle is complete.