Beading Project

Let's get Dagger-ous!

The dagger bead is a modern classic bead shape. Slightly flattened and pointed with a horizontal hole at one end, they are usually used as fringe beads for amulet bags, necklaces, and other places where they can hang down. They come in a wide variety of colors and finishes, and a variety of sizes. Here, however, the dagger bead is revisited and becomes the focal point instead of the accent. While this spiky bracelet may look dangerous and uncomfortable, it is actually very smooth and comfortable and easy to wear. (Honest!)

So let's get Daggerous!

You will need

1 yard Clear stretchy .5 mm jewelry cord, i.e. Stretch Magic™ or similar
150 large dagger beads (16 x 5 mm) - (I've used Matt Black in the sample shown above. This gives a very "goth" look.)

Tools:

scissors to cut the stretchy cord

Classic dagger-shaped beads

It doesn't get much simpler than this. This is essentially a double strand bracelet

Thread enough beads to go around your wrist, about 7-8 inches (depending on your wrist), approximately half of the beads
- Threading may be easier if you use a very fine wire needle. You can make your own by twisting some very fine wire. Thread the cord through the "eye" - when the needle goes through the first bead, the "eye" will squash down and hold the cord in place.

making a wire needle

Pull the beads tight so that the beads "pack" together
Leave a long tail on the cord, do not cut the end off.
Tie a "surgeon's knot" to secure the first wrap of the bracelet. A "surgeon's knot" is a square knot, with an extra wrap through the loop as you finish the knot. It is secure and strong and is used a lot in jewelry making.

tying a "surgeon's knot"

String the same length again on the long tail, using the rest of the beads.
Knot again at the beginning
Cut the end off, carefully.
Secure the two strands together in three places with a bit more of the cut off stretchy cord; first opposite the first knot, and then at 90 degrees on each side to keep the strands together and to prevent them from tangling when it is not on your wrist.

thread path

Variations

try 2 or more colors together, for more depth
add a third or fourth row
make several and wear together.

The dagger bead is a modern classic bead shape. Slightly flattened and pointed with a horizontal hole at one end, they are usually used as fringe beads for amulet bags, necklaces, and other places where they can hang down. They come in a wide variety of colors and finishes, and a variety of sizes. Here, however, the dagger bead is revisited and becomes the focal point instead of the accent. While this spiky bracelet may look dangerous and uncomfortable, it is actually very smooth and comfortable and easy to wear. (Honest!) So let's get Daggerous!

You will need 1 yard Clear stretchy .5 mm jewelry cord, i.e. Stretch Magic™ or similar 150 large dagger beads (16 x 5 mm) - (I've used Matt Black in the sample shown above. This gives a very "goth" look.) Tools: scissors to cut the stretchy cord	Classic dagger-shaped beads
It doesn't get much simpler than this. This is essentially a double strand bracelet Thread enough beads to go around your wrist, about 7-8 inches (depending on your wrist), approximately half of the beads Threading may be easier if you use a very fine wire needle. You can make your own by twisting some very fine wire. Thread the cord through the "eye" - when the needle goes through the first bead, the "eye" will squash down and hold the cord in place.	making a wire needle
Pull the beads tight so that the beads "pack" together Leave a long tail on the cord, do not cut the end off. Tie a "surgeon's knot" to secure the first wrap of the bracelet. A "surgeon's knot" is a square knot, with an extra wrap through the loop as you finish the knot. It is secure and strong and is used a lot in jewelry making.	tying a "surgeon's knot"
String the same length again on the long tail, using the rest of the beads. Knot again at the beginning Cut the end off, carefully. Secure the two strands together in three places with a bit more of the cut off stretchy cord; first opposite the first knot, and then at 90 degrees on each side to keep the strands together and to prevent them from tangling when it is not on your wrist.	thread path
Variations try 2 or more colors together, for more depth add a third or fourth row make several and wear together.