How To Make Kandi Bracelets – The Ultimate Guide

Kandi bracelets are typically made of pony beads strung on an elastic string and worn on the wrist. They are often given out or traded at raves and festivals. Since pony beads come in every color imaginable, Kandi bracelets make very cool, colorful accessories and they are quite simple to make. 

So how do you make Kandi bracelets? To make Kandi bracelets, all you need is pony beads, string, scissors, and a ruler. Letter beads, charms or oddly shaped beads can be used to make your bracelet more unique. Plastic pony beads are most commonly used, but you can use any type of beads you like.

If you’d like to learn more, keep reading! I’m going to take you through what I hope will be the most comprehensive how-to guide on making Kandi bracelets.

How to Make Kandi Bracelets – The Ultimate Guide

I’ve carefully compiled everything I know about Kandi bracelets, so you’ll want to be careful to read all of the instructions, and, most importantly, have fun with it!

Single strand bracelets are the most common and the easiest to make, that is why most ravers make and wear a lot of these for trading with others. Creating unique designs is simple and very inexpensive. People will often make them with phrases, names or cute little charms and unique beads.

You can wear just one, or stack several together for a more dramatic effect. The bracelets can also be stitched into a cuff with the odd-count flat-bead peyote stitching method.

How to Make a Kandi Bracelet in 10 Easy Steps

Gather your materials and let’s get started!

1. Pony beads usually come in large packs, so the first step is to sort through the beads and choose which ones you want to use.
   • The Beadery Bead Extravaganza Bead Box Kit makes this very simple. The beads are separated by color and in individual boxes, so you can easily pick out the ones you need without dumping the bag of beads or trying to pick out your colors from the bag.
2. Decide on the type of pattern, such as two red, one blue and then a white. You can use the lid of the box to line up your beads in your chosen pattern, or you can use a ruler with a grove.
   • If you are adding a word or special bead, place them in the line where you want them to go on the bracelet.
3. Take one end of the string and wrap it around your wrist to get the right size. Don’t make it too tight or too loose and remember to leave about four extra inches for tying the knot.
4. Cut this piece off of the roll. You may want to measure this length so that you know how long you need to make the string for additional bracelets.
5. Stretch the string out a bit to make it easier to thread and tie.    
6. Thread the first bead and tie it at the end. This will be your stop bead. It prevents the other beads from falling off while you continue with your pattern.
7. Continue threading the beads onto the string. If you laid them out earlier in the pattern you like, this step should go very smoothly. You can change your mind at any time.
   • Add another color, add a charm or change the repeating pattern from 1 -2 -1 -2 to anything, like 3 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1, or whatever you want. 
8. Don’t fill the entire length of the string. You will need about four empty inches to tie the finishing knot.  
9. 7. Tie the ends of the string in a tight knot. Double knot for extra security.
10. Cut off the excess string and tuck the knot and any extra string into one of the beads to keep it hidden. Slip the finished bracelet onto your wrist and you are done!

Once the bracelet is finished and tied tight, you won’t be able to change anything, so make sure you are happy with the pattern now. On the other hand, if you do change your mind after the bracelet is finished, you can always make another one and give the first one to a friend.

But that’s not all.

Kandi jewelry is so versatile, so the rest of this article is going to teach you how to make Kandi cuffs and even 3D Kandi bracelets, so don’t leave just yet!

First, though, feel free to watch this video by Gemi Michelle on YouTube for a visual tutorial on making Kandi bracelets. I really like her video because she shows you how to add Perler Beads to your bracelet!

Speaking of Perler Beads, if you want to learn how to make a Kandi face mask using Perler Beads, check out this article.

How to Make a Kandi Cuff

As promised, here’s how to make a Kandi cuff.

You can make your Kandi bracelet really stand out by adding a few more rows and turning it into a cuff.

The look will be about the same as if you wore three or four single Kandi bracelets, the only difference is that the cuff is woven together, so the strands won’t separate. It will be one wide bracelet rather than four thin ones sitting above one another.

How to Make a Kandi Cuff in 10 Easy Steps

1. Start the same as you if you were making a single bracelet, except you will need about twice the length of the string. You can follow the same pattern you used before or get creative and make any pattern you like.
2. When you have threaded the right number of beads to wrap around your wrist, thread the first color of the next row. Pass the thread through the first bead on the first row.
3. Add the second bead of the second row in such a way that it sits between the two beads below it like stacking bricks – alternating.
4. At this point, your bracelet will be lying flat on your work table. Continue adding all of the beads on the second row and then begin the third row the same way.
5. When the third row is in place, it will look like a flower with the petals spread out – alternating like laid bricks.
6. The second and third rows will be quite loose. Tighten the string until the beads form a cuff shape.
7. Add the fourth row or tie off the ends to finish the bracelet.
8. Weave through the end beads for extra security and to help the cuff keep its shape.
9. Make a double knot to prevent your bracelet from falling apart.
10. Snip off the excess string and hide the ends and knot in one of the beads.

How to Make a 3D Kandy Cuff in 7 Steps

Making Kandi cuffs is more complicated than a simple bracelet, and the 3D version is even more difficult. But, that shouldn’t stop you from trying.

Take your time and follow these step-by-step instructions and you will be crafting like a pro in no time!

This is the most common and simplest way to make a 3D Kandi bracelet:

Step 1

In this step, you will decide how you want the cuff to fit on your wrist or upper arm. Test this by making one single strand of Kandi beads by threading about 24 to 32 beads onto a long (at least 2 feet) strand of elastic string. If you find working with such a long string too difficult, you can use a shorter one and then tie on more when needed.

The 3D Kandi cuff works best with an even number of beads. The average single bracelet uses about 30 beads. However, many people like to have the base a bit bigger and will use up to 38 beads for this step. Thread your beads onto your string.

Make sure every third bead is a different color. Once you have completed your row, tie off the end, but do not cut the string.

After you have mastered making cuffs, you can choose any color scheme you like. But for this example, use the 2 red – 1 blue – 2 red system, just to get you comfortable with the technique of weaving a cuff. 

If at any point in your design you run out of string, simply tie on a new piece and continue. You can also tie it off completely and add more, but that will result in two knots and won’t look as nice.

Once you become more comfortable making 3D cuffs and working with an extra-long string, this can be avoided.

Step 2

Now you will be using the long end of the elastic string to form the base of the cuff. Start by threading three red beads through every blue bead. It will look like a small red cluster of five beads. 

Continue this process until this row is complete. Remember, in this step you are only using the red beads. Each cluster of red beads will be separated by a blue bead from the first row.

Step 3

Once the row is complete, thread your string up through the next two red beads. This puts your string into the right position to begin the next row. Add red – blue – red beads and weave the string through the top center bead on the next cluster. 

Keep doing this until the row is finished. End the row with the string pointing upwards, as it did at the end of the first row. Your string should be through the top center blue bead.

Step 4

Your base is almost finished. The clusters of red beads you made will now like rows of Xs.

Finish off the last row and complete the base by threading two red beads through each of the blue beads on the top. Tie off the string and cut off the excess. 

Step 5

Now you are going to add the 3D effect! Start with a long elastic string (about the same length as you used before). Tie it in between a red and blue bead at the top of the cuff.

Guide the string through the blue bead and add two white beads, then a red and then two more white. Now, thread it through the next blue bead. The five beads you just added will be sticking out in the shape of a triangle.

Continue this process until you have gone full circle and are back to the first triangle of five beads. Thread the string through the blue bead you started with, and up through the triangle, weaving in two white and a red.

The string should come out of the top red bead.

Step 6

Add two white beads and thread the string through the center blue bead on the row below. Then string on two more white beads and thread the string through the red bead in the middle of the triangle above.

Continue weaving in this up-and-down pattern until the white beads look like a row of 3D Xs with a red bead in the center.

Step 7

Repeat step six to get the second row of 3D Xs. Tie off the string in a tight knot and trim off the excess. 

Your 3D cuff is done!

You can now add more flair with extra beads on the outside, a cool Perler design like a flower, heart or bug, or anything you like! Be creative and have fun.

The Best Beads to Use for Kandi Bracelets

Pony beads are the best beads to use for making Kandi bracelets because they come in a huge variety of colors, are easy to work with and are very inexpensive. However, there are more options, which I’ve listed below.

Here are my 3 favorite types of beads to use when making Kandi bracelets:

1. Pony and letter beads
   • This 1600-piece kit is a great value.
     • You get a nice selection of beads, including letter beads and string so that you can start making your first Kandi bracelet the minute it arrives!
2. Acrylic and UV beads
   • This 1500-piece kit is an excellent choice.
     • You get 250 six mm white beads with black letters, 250 six mm white beads with various colored letters, 250 six mm translucent beads with white letters, 250 six mm various colored beads with black letters, 300 eight mm colored beads with large holes and 200 eight mm UV beads that change color in the sunlight.
     • You also get 50 m (164 feet) elastic transparent thread to help you get started right away.
3. Styrene beads
   • Another good choice is this basic bucket of beads.
     • You get a large bucket of beads that will easily make several hundred bracelets, plus several masks. Twenty-two m (75 feet) of elastic cord and two threading needles are included.

The Best String to Use for Kandi Bracelets

Elastic craft string is the best string to use for making Kandi bracelets. You want your bracelet to fit tight when you wear it, but you also want to be able to easily put it on and take it off. You could use a clasp, but elastic string is much easier and cheaper.  

Also, if you make your Kandi bracelet with a clasp, trading the PURL way (the traditional rave way of trading bracelets), is totally impossible.  

Varieties of elastic string are basically limited to color, length of the roll and diameter of the thread. Most Kandi bracelet makers use the classic crystal thread. The nearly invisible string makes it a good choice because it won’t interfere with the colors of the beads. 

However, for a cool effect, colored string with crystal beads is also a winner and a very popular choice.

Good string choices include:

1. Crystal Beading String
   • It is super strong, 0.8 mm diameter, and comes in a roll of 120 m (131 yards).
2. Elastic Bracelet String
   • At 1.5 mm diameter, this string is about double the thickness of the average string most kandi makers use.
   • It is ideal for beginners, children and anyone working with large hole beads.
   • It comes in a roll of 60 m (196 feet).  
3. Elastic Multi-colored Beading Thread
   • Ten rolls with 6.5 m (21 feet) of 0.8 mm diameter elastic thread on each roll.
   • Ten different colors to add an extra splash of color to your project.
   • This thread is a great value, very strong, flexible and super durable. 

How the Kandi Rave Craze Began

Kandi bracelets came on the electronic dance music (EDM – known primarily as dance music, club music or techno, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres produced for raves, nightclubs and festivals) scene during the early ’90s.

Drug dealers introduced them to the rave world as a sign that they had drugs for sale.

“Candy” had long been a slang term for cocaine. These drug dealers were selling LSD and ecstasy, so to make it clear what they were selling and to look cool, the word was changed to “Kandi.” 

The colorful beads easily hid small LSD and ecstasy pills, serving a double purpose – they could hide the drugs from authorities while still advertising to those “in the know” that they had drugs for sale.

The dealers would wear arms full of these bright bracelets, and since during a rave people are usually waving their arms in the air, ravers could easily spot them and buy some of their products.

Over time, all rave enthusiasts began wearing them and the drug aspect began to fade, somewhat.

Exchanging Kandi bracelets became the norm.

At raves or other festivals, anyone wearing a Kandi bracelet was seen as a friend. One person will initiate the PLUR handshake and a bond is formed – usually a very long and strong bond, even if you never see that person again.

The Kandi that is exchanged becomes a memento or keepsake to remind you of that day, and that person, forever.

Related Questions

How many beads are in a Kandi bracelet?

A Kandi bracelet will usually have about 25 to 32 beads. How many you need depends on the size of your wrist and the size of the beads. Large beads take up more space, so you don’t need as many to fill up the string.

Bracelets for a small wrist will usually use only about 20 to 25.

Pony beads come in large bags, small bags, boxes, and even cute little buckets, and cost very little. So, you don’t have to buy just the amount you need. You can buy a big pack and save them for future projects.

A fun activity for children and adults alike is having a Kandi bead bracelet making party. If you have a bucket full of multi-colored pony beads, you will have enough for the whole gang! 

How do you make Kandi cuff lights?

You can really make your Kandi cuff stand out in the crowd with some ultra-cool Kandi lights. You can make your Kandi cuff light up by adding a string of lights to your base cuff.

1. Make a 3D x-base cuff. 
2. Weave a string of fairy lights through the top beads sticking out of the triangle. The wire can easily be twisted to get the lights in the right position. 
3. Build out the next layer in your 3D pattern. Translucent or frosted beads are ideal because they let the light shine through better.
4. Continue until you are satisfied. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Be as creative and unique as you can. It’s a good idea to add a Perler to the light-up cuff to help hide the battery. Simply wedge the battery securely between 2 points. You can glue the Perler for extra security if you like.

There are two types of lights generally used to make lighted Kandi cuffs:

1. Electroluminescent wire (known simply as “EL wire”)
   • EL wire is a thin copper wire coated in a light-producing phosphor when it is charged with an alternating current. It is ultra-thin and flexible and an average length requires 3 AAA batteries. You might want to use a Perler design to hide the batteries.
2. Light-emitting diode string (LED also known as “fairy lights”) – A string of small LED lights is durable and flexible and generally available as three feet of 20 mini rice lights. It uses CR2032 batteries that are secured in a small battery pack. 

What is a rave cuff?

A rave cuff is a large Kandi bracelet with about three or four rows woven together.

Kandi bracelets are fun and easy to make and the cuff style is becoming more and more popular. Cuffs are much more complicated than bracelets and take several hours or more to make.

When you go to a rave, you normally wear Kandi bracelets up and down your arms. These are for trading with other like-minded people at the rave.

When you meet a raver you want to trade Kandi with, you can ask if they are willing. If they say “yes” then you perform the rave handshake. 

They choose one of your Kandi bracelets and you choose one of theirs. To make the exchange extra special and memorable, some ravers will wear cuffs to offer for trade. Kandi cuffs are about the size of four Kandi bracelets, making the gift so much sweeter.