Such a popular type of needlework as weaving bracelets from small plastic rubber bands does not lose relevance for many years in a row. The reason for the demand for this art lies in the simplicity and multi-colored charm of interweaving. Children from the age of 8 are allowed to weave rainbow bracelets, baubles, toys and figures, but often this type of handmade is also liked by adult needlewomen, both women and men.
There are many ways to weave jewelry from gum; we will consider all of them in this article on the example of knitting the most popular models of bracelets, starting with the simplest and ending with unusual patterns. Also, using the example of detailed photo and video lessons, we learn how to weave the most interesting models of gum bracelets, even if there is very little experience in this art.
How to make an elastic bracelet
There are several ways to create gum bracelets, each of which offers a variety of possibilities, depending on the level of preparation of the needlewoman and the desired result.
You can knit gum bracelets with:
- fingers;
- special slingshot;
- rainbow loom;
- simple plugs;
- hook;
- pencils / chopsticks for sushi.
The specifics of knitting on various objects differ slightly, so you should start by studying the basics of knitting from elastic bands, and gradually fill your hand for more complex patterns. Help to understand this type of needleworkstep-by-step lessons of weaving gum bracelets, presented below.
Essential needlework kit
Often in art stores, shops and salons, children's departments and specialized boutiques with goods for creativity, you can buy a special set for knitting from elastic bands called Rainbow Loom or Loom Bands. Most often, a set for knitting elastic bracelets includes multi-colored or one-color rubber bands, a rainbow machine and a slingshot for weaving, a crochet hook for elastic bands and a connecting clip for bracelets. All this will come in handy when creating beautiful accessories.
The easiest and easiest ideas for beginners
Among the dozens of proposed patterns on different sites, attention should be paid to the simplest and easiest gum bracelets, because they are so popular among beginner knitters in this style. This includes weaving bracelets on the fingers and working with a slingshot.
For example, on fingers you can easily and amazingly quickly master such a model of a bracelet made of elastic bands, such as Fish Tail. Then how to knit this model on a slingshot will be more interesting and faster. Another popular type of bracelet among beginners is Dragon Scales. This is a fairly universal pattern that can be knitted with all the tools for working with elastic bands. The choice is yours!
Fish tail
At first, acquaintances with the art of weaving from gum usually work with the Fishtail pattern.It is quite easy to implement, in addition, does not require the use of additional tools. You only need rubber bands, a connecting clip and hardworking hands of a knitter. Let's consider in more detail how to weave a fishtail bracelet from elastic bands in the simplest way.
Materials for work:
- one-color rubber bands - 50 pcs.;
- connecting clip;
- hands.
Working process:
The first rubber band is put on the index and middle fingers with an eight. Next, two elastic bands are put on without twisting.
The lower gum is removed from both fingers separately for each edge, after which it forms a kind of double loop, as shown in the photographs.
Then another one, the fourth in succession, is put on the fingers, also without twisting (this model of the bracelet involves twisting only the first gum in the whole work). Then, the lowest gum is removed from the fingers in the same way as the previous lower one. This is the main work on the bracelet: adding one rubber band each, and forming a double loop with the latest rubber band in a row.
These steps are repeated to the required length. In the final, the ends of the product are fixed with an S-shaped clip-fastener.
Dragon scale
The Dragon Scale bracelet made of rubber bands is also very popular among beginner knitters. It looks interesting, especially due to its openwork structure and impressive width. Depending on the choice of knitting method and the number of columns on which the bracelet is knitted, Dragon Scales will have its own width and openwork. Consider the method of knitting this bracelet from rubber bands using two ordinary forks.
Working process:
We take in the hand with our teeth two ordinary forks, and in the very middle of the legs we bind them with tape or the same rubber bands. It is important that they do not move to the sides and do not fall apart.
Each fork has four teeth, which means that we have four pairs of teeth 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. The first row should be twisted by eights: for each pair of cloves, you need to put on a ring, twisting it with an eight, as shown in the photo.
For the next row, only three rings of the same color will be needed, this time they do not need to be twisted, just put on the teeth, connecting them in pairs 2-3, 4-5, 6-7.
Putting on each new ring of the next row, you need to remove the loops of the previous row so that they overlap the new rubber bands. When removing the loops of the first row, we must leave them on the first and last clove, since we did not put new rings on them.
Thus, in order to get bright bracelets from rubber bands without a machine, Dragon Scales, it is enough to adhere to a simple algorithm: alternate rows, connecting in pairs 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and for the next row 2-3, 4-5 , 6-7. When creating a new row, do not forget to throw off the loops of the previous one. In this case, two forks should form a line for you, do not overlap each other so that the product turns out to be neat.
Each color can be made 4-5 rows so that the mesh looks bright and beautiful, you can alternate only two colors or make the bracelet rainbow.
You need to adjust the desired length of the bracelet as you work. It should be borne in mind that the elastic bands in this weave stretch very well, and you need to monitor the process all the time so that the finished bauble does not fall from the wrist.
A very important point in the process of creating a bracelet from rubber bands is the final connection, because it will depend on whether the loops will untangle. The last row of the net will be different from the rest: you need to put one rubber on one fork on all its teeth, twisting it several times, as shown in the photo of the master class. We remove the lower loops, we also act with the second fork. Now there is only one line on each, you need to drop from 1 clove to 2, from 4 to 3. To hook the fasteners onto the remaining loops.
Knitting techniques step by step
Step-by-step lessons of weaving bracelets from rubber bands can be mastered by both children and adults, and the result will not be long in coming, and it will certainly please needleworkers and their loved ones. Of the many ways to knit bracelets, you can choose the most simple and convenient, and knit interesting accessories that are impossible to buy anywhere.
The technique of knitting a bracelet from elastic bands, although it differs depending on the chosen method of weaving, but the essence remains the same: weaving the elastic bands on two or more columns allows you to get the most unusual shapes and patterns.
Slingshot Knitting Instructions
Slingshot is an excellent tool for knitting gum bracelets. It is compact, lightweight, but at the same time allows you to knit beautiful and complex products. With its help, you can easily connect such popular bracelet models as French braid, Sidewalk, Spikelet, Fusilli, and many others. Let's consider in more detail how to weave bracelets from rubber bands on a slingshot using the example of the popular models "Heart of an angel".
Materials for work:
- 30 rubber bands of the same color and 60 pcs. another (the main color should be twice as much);
- slingshot for weaving bracelets;
- plastic hook;
- S-shaped clip.
Working process:
We take the gum of a secondary color, in this case white, and begin weaving: twist it and put it on the slingshot, as shown in the photo. In the entire bracelet, only the first rubber band needs to be twisted.
The second rubber band should be pink.
Hook should pry off the white elastic band on the left and gently throw in the middle of the pink elastic band.
Now pink gum from the right column and throw it on the left column.
Then you should put pink elastic on the slingshot.
We throw off the white gum from the right column up so that it hooks the top pink.
Next, you need to pry off the upper pink elastic on the left side of the slingshot and transfer it to the right column.
Add the white gum on top without twisting.
We throw off the top pink gum in the middle of the slingshot on a white gum.
This is the beginning of the weaving of the bracelet. The heart of an angel from rubber bands. The following steps must be repeated until the bracelet is the desired length. Do this stage, and approaching its end, start again.
Next begins main stage of weaving a bracelet.
From above we put on another elastic band of pink color.
We pry the bottom pink gum on the left and move it up, throwing it in the middle of the slingshot.
We transfer the upper pink elastic band to the right to the left.
We put on another pink gum.
The lower pink elastic band on the right is moved up.
The upper gum on the left is transferred to the right side of the slingshot.
We put on a white elastic band.
Remove the top pink rubber bands from both slingshot columns and transfer them to the middle so that they lie on the white rubber band.
Now carefully: start the hook under the pink elastic band, which is located in the middle of the column, and then hook the white lower elastic band on the hook. We drag it up and send it to the middle of the slingshot. We repeat the same thing on the other hand.
Now again we go to the beginning of the stage and continue to gently weave until the bracelet is the desired length.
After the bracelet has been braided, transfer the pink elastic bands to the middle so that only white ones remain on the slingshot. We transfer both white gum to one slingshot column and fix a clip on them. Then the other end of the clasp must be fastened to the beginning of the bracelet.
How to weave on fingers
Weaving gum bracelets on fingers is also very interesting, but it is better to choose simple models that weave quickly. How to use this skill and how to make a bracelet from rubber bands on the fingers - we will tell right now on the example of the well-known model of a double-bracelet -Double pigtail.
Working process:
Twist the gum with the figure eight and put it on the index and middle fingers. In the same way we put one more on the middle and the nameless.
We start weaving in the following technique: on top we put two more elastic bands on the same fingers and in the same sequence. Only this time we do not twist them.
Remove the side loops from the twisted first elastic bands.
On the middle finger you should have a double loop of the first elastic bands. We also shoot it.
Here is the result you get. This is the first finished loop.
Next, we begin to weave a double bracelet, as shown in the diagram above, making loops from small rubber bands and removing them.
At the very end we make a knot to fix. Remove the right and left loops on the middle finger. We separate them by the double loop that was on the middle finger. And then remove the double loop, tightening the knot. We fix it with a crochet.
Knitting on a fork
Weaving bracelets on forks is a very original and budget way to give yourself and your loved ones a beautiful, bright accessory. Consider a simple scheme of how to weave gum bracelets on a fork and delight everyone with unusual gifts. It's about a wide bracelet with a tight weave.
Materials for work:
- rubber bands of two colors;
- fork;
- toothpick.
Working process:
We put the lilac gum folded in for the middle cloves of the fork and twist it with an eight. The next two elastic bands are also twisted with a figure of eight and put on two teeth on the left and on the right.
Next, with the help of a toothpick, grab the lower loops from the middle teeth, start them up and release.
Now we put on the elastic bands on the right and left without twisting. Raise the lower loops up.
We repeat all the manipulations in the following sequence: 1 gum in the center and 2 at the edges. Each color in two rows, after which we change to another.
Weave in a similar way until we pick the desired length. We complete the bracelet like this: remove the loops from the extreme teeth to the middle ones, and from the bottom - to the top. We put on the last gum on the middle teeth and remove all the loops.
At the end, fasten the edges with an S-shaped hook. A thick bracelet made of rubber bands on a fork is ready.
Weaving on the machine
The most popular form of creating jewelry in this style is weaving a bracelet of rubber bands on the machine. It is this device that allows you to create the most complex patterns and large wide knitting. At the same time, the masters have the opportunity to use a number of additional elements of the so-called rainbow machine. Let's consider this interesting way of weaving bracelets using the model as an example. Star.
Materials for work:
- multi-colored elastic bands, including contrasting colors;
- machine;
- hook;
- S-shaped clip.
Working process:
Place the machine on a flat surface in front of you so that the arrows and U-shaped pins point away from you.
First, place the black frame of the future bracelet. Put the black elastic diagonally on the first pegs of the central and left row.
Put the second black rubber on top of the first pin and the second pins of the left row.
Continue in the same way until you reach the penultimate peg of the row.
Pull the gum from the penultimate pin diagonally to the last pin of the center row of the machine.
Now you need to return to the front of the machine and do the same with the right row. After that, all black gum should be lowered to the bottom of the peg.
Now let's fill in the frame of the bracelet made of rubber bands in the style of an asterisk. Choose 6 elastic bands of the same color. Put the first elastic on the second pin of the central row and on the second pin of the right row. In the same way, from the second peg of the middle row put on another 5 elastic bands clockwise, forming a “star”. Lower the elastic bands to the bottom of the pins.
The second "star" of the bracelet must begin to dial from the fourth peg of the central row of the machine. All six rubber bands of a different color are placed similarly to the first "star".
In the same way, make 4 more "stars", not forgetting to lower the elastic bands to the bottom of the pegs.
After that, put on a black elastic band folded in half on the first peg of the middle row and the central peg of each star.
Now a very important point is the bracelet weaving. The machine must be positioned so that the arrows on the machine "looked" at you. After that, in the middle row in the first pin, hook the colored elastic, hook it up and put it on the second pin of the middle row (it’s the center of the sprocket). Thus on the peg there will be two loops of one elastic band.
We do the same with the other elements of the asterisk. In this case, you should hook the loop from the center of the sprocket to the peg, moving counterclockwise in a circle. We do the same with the other stars on the machine. Be careful not to loose the loop and thereby not disturb the weaving.
Then you should do the braiding of the bracelet frame. We start with the first peg of the central row. We hook the edge of the gum that is hooked between the first peg of the middle row and the first peg of the left row. We pull it up and put it on the first peg of the left row so that both edges of the gum are on the same pin.
Continue weaving the left row in this way, stopping at the last peg of the middle row.
Similarly weave the right side of the bracelet frame.
On the last peg of the middle row, hook all the rubber bands through which you then need to drag a new black rubber band. Both edges of the elastic are put on a hook.
After that, you need to carefully remove the bracelet from the machine. We hold a hook with a loop in a hand.
To extend the bracelet on an empty machine we put on 5 black elastic bands.
Then you need to hook the edge of the elastic band from the first pin to the second, and from the second to the third and so on.
Now the first extension loop needs to be connected to the loop of the bracelet, which is on the hook.
At the end, the ends of the bracelet are connected with a clasp.
French braid knitting video tutorial
How to learn to weave a beautiful braid French braid made of rubber bands? View a master class on making this beautiful accessory! Weaving this magnificent bracelet, so similar to a female hairstyle, is possible with all possible tools: fingers, a machine tool, a slingshot, two columns in the form of pencils, and even a fork. The knitting pattern of the French braid from gum is quite simple, it can be repeated without much effort even by one who has never before woven products of this kind. Consider the method of knitting on a rainbow loom.
Video Ideas for Advanced
In order not to be tired of weaving bracelets, you need to constantly look for new ideas for inspiration and interesting work schemes. This will help our article with step-by-step video instructions for creating beautiful and unusual bracelets.
Beautiful pattern with volumetric colors:
Interesting 3D weaving:
Large pigtail drawing:
Patterns with hearts:
The finest openwork motif with butterflies:
