DIY: Chunky Link Ball Chain Friendship Bracelets

As you know from this and this, I just can’t stop making friendship bracelets!  They look so good mixed + matched, piled high… adding the perfect, summery pop of color to whatever it is that you’re wearing.  Today’s bracelet is a bit more blingy than the others I’ve made so far… and if you’d like, you could make it the more conventional way (using a clasp + jump ring vs. string…) or even make a necklace!  There are so many ways to get creative with this project.  For extra credit, try it using resin or tortoise links.  I made three – in turquoise, orange, and light pink.

final

{Worn with my previous two bracelet DIY projects:  Chain Friendship Bracelets and Triple Ball Chain Bracelets}

Where to buy:

Chain (approx. 4 inches)  // Ball Chain  (approx. 10 inches) //  Embroidery Floss (about one skein) // Embroidery Needle // Sharp Scissors

1.  Begin by firmly (double) knotting your floss to your chain. // 2.  Add your ball chain to the chain, and slowly wrap the floss around both the chain and ball chain. // 3.  Continue to wrap – you’ll see a beautiful pattern emerging! // 4.  When you get to the end of the first link, pull the embroidery floss through the second link and continue wrapping.

5.  Continue to wrap.  // 6.  As you get to the end of the chain, just keep wrapping along… // 7.  Continue wrapping until you get to the place where you started.  Knot your floss to the first end.  // 8.  Trim your knots, and you are nearly done.

9.  Cut off three pieces of floss, about 36″ long, each.  Take them together, and fold in half.  Thread the loop through the first link of chain.  // 10.  Pull the ends through your loop.  // 11.  Pull tightly, and braid for 2-3 inches, depending on how long you want the bracelet to be.  // 12.  Repeat on the other side… you’re done!

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment

76 Comments

  1. Alyssa Hertzig:

    gorgeous! i love the way they look all stacked together. so pretty for summer!

    6.4.12 Reply
  2. Supal:

    These are beautiful! 

    6.4.12 Reply
  3. Julie & Lauren:

    Gorgeous as usual, Grace! I’m eyeing that chunky turquoise and gold one. Perfect for summer! X

    6.4.12 Reply
  4. MissMarlboro:

    Great idea!! I’m definitely gonna do this 🙂

    6.4.12 Reply
  5. Mad Max and Family:

    I LOVE these.  If only I had the time and patience to make them!

    Tara
    http://madmaxandfamily.blogspot.com
    http://blog.chron.com/madabouttown/

    6.4.12 Reply
  6. The Curvy Girl:

    LOVE THIS!!!!

    6.4.12 Reply
  7. The Curvy Girl:

    LOVE THIS!!!

    6.4.12 Reply
  8. Viviana Carmona:

    These are so amazing!!!! Seriously, you need to open a shop.

    6.4.12 Reply
  9. Gabrielle | Savvy Home:

    These are stunning!! Open a shop please??? X

    6.4.12 Reply
  10. Liz {Sequins & Stripes}:

    Ok can you open up a shop now please! This one is my favorite of them all, so chic!

    6.4.12 Reply
  11. ALyson -- TAGG:

    Love this! Ditto on opening a shop. Until then, just adoring what you’ve made. 

    6.4.12 Reply
  12. Kristin & Megan:

    Now THAT’s an arm  party! Love the orange and pink!!

    6.4.12 Reply
  13. Megan Zietz:

    these are so creative and cute Grace!

    6.4.12 Reply
  14. Zoi:

    great colours i love it!

    6.4.12 Reply
  15. Denise Atwood:

    Love these Grace!!

    6.4.12 Reply
  16. Erica & Lauren:

    awesomesauce!!!!

    6.4.12 Reply
  17. Mimigdesign:

    Where did you get the chunky chain? Can you provide the link please?

    6.4.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Hi Mimi, There is a link in the “Where to Buy,” under the photo! It came from M&J Trim.

      6.4.12 Reply
  18. Jordan - Queen of LA:

    ahhhhhh stop with the amazingess! i love the orange one so much!

    6.4.12 Reply
  19. Sarah:

    I LOVE THIS! This may be my favorite bracelet DIY you have shown yet! So fun 🙂

    6.4.12 Reply
  20. helenazurow:

    love this bracelet, my favorite one out of all you made 🙂 

    6.4.12 Reply
  21. Alyssa:

    Great bracelet diy!

    6.4.12 Reply
  22. Sarah (Saturday Sequins):

    Wow, cute! I love the two chain types together. 🙂

    6.4.12 Reply
  23. taradear:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE GRACE! youre brilliant! im making these for sure 🙂

    xx,
    Tara


    http://www.thewondergirl.com

    6.4.12 Reply
  24. Gaby:

    Gorgeous! love them!

    6.4.12 Reply
  25. Alex Hubbard:

    Bah LOVE! I need some in every color 🙂

    6.4.12 Reply
  26. Thelifeofclare:

    Oh love these!!!

    6.4.12 Reply
  27. Melissa:

    Thanks for your sweet comment about my GG feature!  You should totally try those no-bake truffles sometime 🙂  These friendship bracelets are so fun… much cooler than those wimpy ones I made when I was little 😉

    6.4.12 Reply
  28. designchic:

    So cute…love the turquoise!!

    6.4.12 Reply
  29. Louisa:

    Love this diy! I will have to give this one a try as well!! 

    Louisa
    http://www.circasundayafternoon.blogspot.com

    6.4.12 Reply
  30. Savanah Macaulay:

    I just love these!!  You just can’t stop rocking 🙂

    6.5.12 Reply
  31. navy & orange:
    6.6.12 Reply
  32. Kara Endres:

    OMG, that’s so great! I saw this on your instagram but didn’t realize they had the ball chain on it as well. Super cute!

    6.6.12 Reply
  33. Stephanielyncarter:

    Where do u buy the chunky chain from?

    6.8.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Hi Stephanie, It’s in the post under “where to buy!” There is a link to MJ Trim, who sells it online!

      6.8.12 Reply
  34. Amelia Amphonphong:

    Amazing DIY! I have got to try this out!

    — Amelia 
    http://www.allonthewrist.com

    6.8.12 Reply
  35. Daniela:

    Loved this DIY! thanks for sharing 🙂

    http://thegoldenavenue.blogspot.com

    6.9.12 Reply
  36. Tisha Green:

    What a killer DIY! I LOVE friendshp braclets! Thanks so much for sharing =)

    6.11.12 Reply
  37. Chippy Harris:

    Lov it, Gotta try it.

    6.11.12 Reply
  38. Jovanafagot:

    Ho great.

    6.14.12 Reply
  39. Cristina Cunha:

    Great work!

    6.18.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thank you, Cristina!

      6.18.12 Reply
  40. Cristina Cunha:

    Great work!

    6.18.12 Reply
  41. Çi?dem Y?ld?r?m:
    6.21.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      thanks so much! 🙂

      6.21.12 Reply
  42. Leah:

    these are so nice!

    6.22.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      thank you Leah!!

      6.24.12 Reply
  43. kilimci girl:
    6.24.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      yay! Please share a pic if you do!!

      6.24.12 Reply
  44. Dizzydezz55:

    So clever! What do you use to cut the chain with?

    6.29.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thanks! I used wire cutters. 🙂

      6.29.12 Reply
  45. Pam:

    Silly question: What if you want a clasp of some sort? What do you recommend? Thanks!

    7.2.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Hi Pam! In that case, I would attach the chain to a clasp (I’d use a large lobster clasp,) with a jump ring, and just tie your floss to the first link of the chain. No braiding. You’ll also have to use a little more chain so that it fits all the way around your wrist. Hope that helps.

      7.2.12 Reply
  46. JulesFashionWeek:

    very pretty !!

    7.7.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thank you so much!

      7.8.12 Reply
  47. Julia_W:

    I love these bracelets! But where did you bought the thick chain? I can´t find them in my local art supply store.

    8.1.12 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Hi Julia, I link to the chain in the Where to Buy, just below the second photo. It is from M&J Trimming. They sell it online and it’s actually very affordable.

      8.1.12 Reply
  48. Stephanie:

    These are beautiful, thanks so much! Can’t wait to try them! Do you have a tutorial for the the 1st and 4th bracelets in the last photo of this blog? Thanks, Steph

    12.11.12 Reply
  49. visit our website:

    My family members every time say that I am wasting my
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    2.5.13 Reply
  50. lindsey:

    love this. are these possible to make without the ball chain?

    3.27.13 Reply
  51. nancy:

    what is the style# of the chain from M and J? or can you tell me how many millimeters and the product description? thanks! these are GREAT!

    5.31.13 Reply
    • Grace Atwood:

      Hi Nancy,
      I’m not sure – it’s your standard ball chain – nothing special. I know that M&J carries two sizes, and that this is the smaller one. Sorry that I can’t give you a better answer than that… happy crafting!

      6.4.13 Reply
  52. DOLORES DAME:

    HOW CAN YOU PRINT THE PATTERNS

    6.24.14 Reply
    • Grace Atwood:

      Hi Dolores, I’m not sure what you mean!!

      6.24.14 Reply
  53. Moonstone Mary:

    Nice idea. I have some chunky chain printed with funky prints that are a bit too much. I think wrapping them will help them go from tacky to adorable. I’m a jewelry maker so will add clasps with jumprings.

    7.17.15 Reply
  54. Dawn Ockomon:

    What a lovely friendship bracelet!

    2.24.16 Reply
  55. Bernice Peace:

    I love it

    8.27.16 Reply
    • graceatwood:

      Thank you! x

      8.28.16 Reply