How to Make Kandi: A Step-by-Step DIY Bead Bracelet Tutorial
Kandi bracelets are the friendship bracelets of festival culture — colorful, meaningful, and deeply personal. Trading kandi is a beloved tradition that connects strangers through creativity and kindness. Whether you're prepping for your first festival or want to craft a stack of bracelets for your crew, this step-by-step tutorial will teach you how to make kandi from scratch.
What Is Kandi?
Kandi refers to handmade beaded jewelry — most commonly stretchy bracelets (called "singles") made from pony beads and elastic cord. The name comes from the bright, candy-colored beads used to make them. Kandi culture is built on the idea of PLUR: Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Trading kandi at events is a ritual that creates instant bonds between people.
Beyond singles, kandi comes in many forms: multi-strand cuffs, 3D perler bead pieces, and elaborate masks. But every kandi artist starts with the classic single bracelet.
What You'll Need
- Pony beads: The classic 9mm x 6mm plastic beads in every color imaginable.
- Elastic cord: 0.8mm–1.0mm stretch cord (also called "stretch magic") for a snug, comfortable fit.
- Scissors: For cutting cord to length.
- Letter beads: Optional, for spelling out words, names, or phrases on your bracelet.
Want everything in one package? Our DIY Kandi Bead Kit includes beads, elastic cord, letter beads, and everything you need to start creating immediately.
Step-by-Step: Making a Single Kandi Bracelet
Step 1: Cut Your Cord
Cut a piece of elastic cord about 12–14 inches long. This gives you enough length to work with comfortably and tie a secure knot at the end. Pro tip: wrap a small piece of tape around one end to act as a "needle" — it makes threading beads much easier.
Step 2: Plan Your Design
Lay out your beads in the pattern you want before threading. A standard single bracelet uses about 25–30 beads, depending on your wrist size. If you're using letter beads to spell a word, center them in your design with color beads on either side.
Step 3: Thread Your Beads
Tie a loose knot at one end of the cord (or clip a binder clip to keep beads from sliding off), then thread your beads one by one following your planned design. Take your time — this is the meditative, creative part of the process.
Step 4: Size Check
Once all beads are threaded, wrap the bracelet around your wrist to check the fit. It should slide on and off easily but not be so loose it falls off when you raise your hand. Add or remove beads as needed.
Step 5: Tie It Off
This is the most important step. Tie a secure square knot (right over left, then left over right) pulling tight. Then tie two more knots on top for security. Apply a tiny drop of clear nail polish or super glue to the knot to prevent it from coming undone. Trim the excess cord close to the knot and slide a bead over the knot to hide it.
Design Ideas & Inspiration
- Color themes: Match your outfit, your favorite artist's color scheme, or your crew's aesthetic.
- Word bracelets: Spell out your favorite song lyrics, your name, an inside joke, or a PLUR-inspired phrase.
- Glow-in-the-dark: Use UV-reactive or glow-in-the-dark beads for extra visual impact under festival lights.
- Stacking: Make 10–20 singles and stack them up your forearm for maximum visual effect.
The Kandi Trading Ritual
Trading kandi is simple and beautiful. Two people make a PLUR handshake — touching fingers together to form a heart shape — while one person slides a bracelet from their wrist onto the other's. It's a way of saying "this moment matters" and carrying a piece of that connection with you.
Make extra bracelets specifically for trading. The ones you give away become part of someone else's story.
Ready to Start Crafting?
Browse our Kandi & Trinkets collection for bead kits, pre-made kandi packs, and accessories. Our DIY Kandi Bead Kit is the perfect starting point — it includes everything you need to make your first batch of festival-ready bracelets.
Kandi is more than jewelry — it's a creative practice, a social ritual, and a tangible reminder of the connections you make. Start stringing, start sharing, and carry the spirit of community wherever you go.