Crochet Cowrie Bracelet

The Crochet Cowrie Bracelet works up quickly and looks like macrame! With some simple crochet stiches and a few easy beading techniques, you can create this unique summer bracelet in no time. When I visited Hawaii I loved beachcombing and finding cowrie shells and I love that they are popular now. They are such an interesting shape and have great texture. Since the plumeria flower is also very prevalent in Hawaii, I picked these plumeria-style flower beads for the focal point of the bracelet. It’s too bad I couldn’t add their beautiful scent to the bracelet, too! 😉

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Here’s one of the best shells I found on a trip to Hawaii – This Cowrie looks beautiful on the top and on the underside!

Crochet That Looks Like Macrame

Macrame has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years. I love the look of macrame and have made some macrame jewelry in the past. Did you know that macrame and crochet have a lot in common? They are both basically made up of a variety of patterns of knots. So, I thought it would be fun to create this bracelet to look like macrame but actually be made up of easy crochet stitches. Macrame usually incorporates wooden beads so I thought to add those along with the unique cowrie and flower beads. (They are easy to find on-line and I give you the link to the exact ones I purchased below)

Stitches Used in the Crochet Cowrie Bracelet

To make the Crochet Cowrie Bracelet you will need to know these stitches: chain, slip stitch and single crochet – that’s it! I used Size 3 cotton crochet thread in a nice natural color along with a 2.75 mm crochet hook. You’ll also want to use an embroidery needle to weave in your yarn tails and assemble the sections of the bracelet. This way the needle is not too big and won’t ruin your crochet stitches. (I always use an embroidery needle when working with Size 3 or Size 10 cotton crochet thread).

Step-by-Step Video Tutorial Now Available!

A step-by-step video tutorial for the Crochet Cowrie Bracelet is now available! In this video I show you how to crochet each section, how to add the beads and how to put it all together. I also draw a quick crochet chart/diagram to show you how some of the stitches and beads work together. Click here or the image below to watch the video and get a bunch of tips!

Let’s get started!

Skill Level: Easy

Measurements:

8″ long (with instructions on how to change the length below)

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Supplies:

Click on the supply name to purchase

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Size 3 cotton crochet thread

(I used Lizbeth by Handy Hands in #603 Ecru)

2.75mm crochet hook

Flower bead (approximately 3/4” across)

(It turns out that the plumeria beads I bought are no longer available but these look comparable)

2 cowrie beads (approximately ¾” long)

2 wooden beads (8mm)

2 jump rings (8mm-10mm)

Clasp

Embroidery needle with large eye

Jewelry pliers

Special Stitches and Abbreviations:

Sc (single crochet) = Insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop; YO, pull through 2 loops on hook

Sl st (slip stitch) = Insert hook into stitch, YO, pull through stitch and loop on hook

YO (yarn over)

Hk (hook)

Lp (loop)

Ch (chain)

St (stitch)

Sp (space)

Notes:

Bracelet is made of 3 sections that are joined together with a needle and the yarn tails

Instructions for the Crochet Cowrie Bracelet by Jennifer E Ryan:

Center Section:

**Remember, if you need help understanding the instructions below, please click here to watch the step-by-step video tutorial! **

Ch 14

Sc in 2^nd ch from hk;

Slide wooden bead over chain length to sit over next chain (this chain will be skipped);

Working around and over the bead and allowing the stitch loop to extend around bead, sl st in next ch;

Sc in each of next 2 chs;

Slide flower bead over chain length to sit over next 3 chains (these chains will be skipped);

Working around the flower bead and allowing the stitch loop to extend around the bead, sc in each of next 2 chs;

Sl st in next ch;

Slide wooden bead over chain length to sit over next chain (this chain will be skipped);

Working around the wooden bead and allowing the stitch loop to extend around the bead, sc in last ch; ch 1

Now working on other side of ch length:

Sc in 1^st st;

Working around and over the bead and allowing the stitch loop to extend around bead, sl st in next st;

Sc in each of next 2 sts;

Working around the flower bead and allowing the stitch loop to extend around the bead, sc in each of next 2 sts;

Sl st in next st;

Working around and over the bead and allowing the stitch loop to extend around bead, sc in last st; ch 1, sl st in 1^st sc of section. Fasten off with long yarn tail for assembly.

End Section – Make 2:

(To adjust the length of the bracelet you can make this section a different length – see variations below)

Ch 11

Sc in 2^nd ch from hk and in each ch across; ch 1. (10 sc) Do not turn.

Now working on other side of chain, sc in each st across; ch 1, sl st in 1^st sc. Fasten off with long tail for assembly.

(To make a longer bracelet, add chains –

Add 3 chains to make 1 inch longer

Add 2 chains to make ½ inch longer

To make a shorter bracelet, chain less –

Ch 8 to make 1 inch shorter

Ch 9 to make ½ inch shorter)

Finishing & Assembly:

Blocking:

Wet all 3 sections with cold water and press out excess water with towel

Lay out all sections on dry towel and pin in place so lay flat

Let dry completely (overnight)

Assembling 3 Sections:

**You can find help for attaching the cowrie beads in the video tutorial here**

First attach cowrie beads to center section by using yarn tails and needle

Start at “A” on diagram

Pass thread over side of cowrie and down through center opening

Then wrap thread around other end (“B”) and back down through center opening

Carry thread back to where started and tie a knot (The thread makes a figure “8”)

Wrap thread around area where Center Section meets the cowrie bead 3 times (shown by black arrows) – secure with a knot on Wrong Side and weave in ends

Attach End Sections in same manner starting at “B” side on each cowrie

Sew on jump rings to end of End Sections making sure to open one jump ring and slide on clasp first

Your Crochet Cowrie Bracelet is Complete!

Your Crochet Cowrie Bracelet is complete! I hope you enjoyed making this project. Of course, you could use a different flower bead in the center or different shell beads if you like. And you could make yours in a different color than mine as well. Let me know how you made your bracelet in the comments below – I’d love to hear about it!

For more flower crochet patterns, click here.

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Thank you for visiting! Happy crocheting!

Jennifer

Copyright – Jennifer E Ryan- www.celticknotcrochet.com- all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.

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