Deer Hide Leather

Deer Hide leather is a fabulous new lacing material that is just so versatile for jewellery making. The lace is ethically sourced and available in a wide range of colours. I’m getting ready for summer, inspired by the beach and seashore, making two pretty bracelets using sand and stone blue shades available from I-Beads. You can learn how to plait with 3, 4 or 5 strands below and make yourself a pretty wrap bracelet. Instructions for the jump ring weaving bracelet follow at the end.

 

As well as these two easy to make bracelets you can also buy a pattern for this beautiful multi strand cuff bracelet from my ETSY shop.

Plaiting

The deerskin is very soft and plaits beautifully – so don’t stop at the usual 3-strand plaiting! It is just as easy to plait with four or even five lengths to make different widths of bracelet or cuff. Secure the leather at one end with tape or pin to a cork or macramé board. You will need an extra 1/3 to 1/2 more on each strand than the finished length to plait.

Plaited Wrap Bracelet

Use 10mm ribbon crimps to finish the ends of the three strand plaiting. Add an initial charm (from I-Beads) with jump rings and add a lobster clasp. Plait approximately 31cm to wrap around twice, or 46cm to wrap three times round your wrist (17.5cm standard size).

Three strand plait

1. Lift the left strand over and place in between the other two strands
2. Lift the right strand over and place in between the other two strands
3. Repeat taking the left over, then the right keeping the plaiting compact
4. Continue until the plaiting is the length required – tape at both ends to secure

Four strand plait

1. Lift the left strand over the first and under the second strand
2. Take the right strand under the strand that has just been woven across from the left
3. Repeat lifting the left over the first and under the second strand
4. Repeat taking the right strand under the strand just woven across from the left
5. Continue until the plaiting is the length required – tape at both ends to secure

Five strand plait

1. Lift the left strand over the first strand and under the second strand
2. Lift the right strand over the first strand then under the strand that has just been woven across from the left
3. Repeat lifting the left over the first and under the second strand
4. Repeat lifting the right strand over the first strand then under the stand just woven across from the left
5. Continue until the plaiting is the length required – tape at both ends to secure

Use these 25mm or 43mm magnetic clasps from I-Beads to finish the wider plaiting and make a quick cuff bracelet.

Jumpring weaving

Why not make this quick and clever idea? Use 8mm jump rings to weave two strands of deer hide lace to make a simple bracelet and finish with these cord ends.

1. Take one strand of leather down through the jump ring from right to left
2. Take a second strand up through the jump ring from right to left
3. Slide the first ring along, begin again taking the top strand up through a jump ring
4. Take the second strand down through the jump ring – you can see the leather is woven in opposite directions through the rings
5. Slide the rings along so that they butt together and then repeat from step 1
6. Continue until the weaving is the length required. Trim the leather and attach the cord ends – add a little strong glue into the hole in the cord end not on the leather
7. Add a small jump ring to both ends and a large lobster clasp to finish.