VHS Tape Bracelet

Intro: VHS Tape Bracelet

I recently have started to crochet again, but I am just a beginner so I am trying to make easy patterns.
The great thing about crochet is that easy doesn't necessarily mean obvious...you can make very nice things using basic crochet stitches!

I first made this bracelet using simple cotton but after I read about the Vintage Contest, I decided to "destroy" an old VHS cassette and see what I could do with it! :D

So, here is my crocheted bracelet made with VHS tape! :)

STEP 1: What You Need

• VHS cassette
• 1.75 (4) crochet hook
• screwdriver
• button
• needle and thread
• scissors

List of stitches used for this bracelet:

• chain stitch
• slip stitch
• single crochet - sc
• half double crochet - hdc
• double crochet - dc

STEP 2:

The first thing you have to do is opening a VHS cassette:
using your screwdriver, remove all 5 screws in the back of the cassette and open it.

All you have to do is removing the 2 white "wheels" that contain the black tape and putting the rest of the cassette aside.

STEP 3:

You'll see that the beggining of the tape is transparent.
We don't need that part so you can either cut it or separate the 2 parts like I did (see the pictures).

Right now your tape is too large to crochet so gently stretch it with your fingers to harden it and create a thinner cord.
Work on small sections at a time for a better result.

Do this for your whole tape...or at least, enough tape to make a bracelet! :D

STEP 4: Let's Crochet!

Now that you have your cord ready, it's time to crochet your bracelet!

Start making a slipknot.
Chain 7 and slip stitch in the slipknot.

Chain 1 and turn.
Make a sc, a hdc, 7 dc, a hdc, a sc and slip stitch in the slipknot.

This is your first scallop!

STEP 5: Second Scallop

Chain 1 and turn.
Make 1 stitch in the next two stitches.
Chain 7 and turn.
Then slip stitch over the chain.

Chain 1 and turn.
Make a sc, a hdc, 7 dc, a hdc and a sc.
Slip stitch in the last dc of the previous scallop.

The second scallop is done!

STEP 6: Third Scallop

Chain 1 and turn.
Make 1 stitch in the next two stitches.
Chain 5 and turn.
Slip stitch in the dc of the first scallop.

Chain 1 and turn.
Make a sc, a hdc, 5 dc, a hdc and a sc.
Slip stitch in the last dc of the previous scallop.

Voilà the third scallop!

Now repeat this step to make as many scallops as you need to make a bracelet.

STEP 7: Last Scallop

Now that you have a longer bracelet, you have to make a larger scallop that will become a button loop.
It's very similar to the previous ones, the only difference is that there will be more stitches!

So, chain 1 and turn.
Make 1 stitch in the next 4 stitches.
Chain 6 and turn.
Slip stitch in the dc.

Chain 1 and turn.
Make a sc, a hdc, 6 dc, a hdc and a sc.
Slip stitch in the last dc of the previous scallop.

The crochet part is done!
Close your work as you usually do and cut the cord.

STEP 8: Add a Button

The last thing you have to do is sewing a button at the beginning of the bracelet.
This way you will be able to close it whenever you wear it.

You're done!! 

I hope you enjoyed this Instructable!
If you did, please vote for me!! :)

Comments

[Kathmandu365]

Old magnetic tape is a polymer plastic with layers of metals on it. When these toxic metals shed "black dust" skin absorption or inhalation is possible.The layers of metals that create 'black or brown dust" contain cobalt, chromium, and iron and all can be toxic. Your work is beautiful, but safety first.

[EL3]

Isn't the tape toxic?

[lindarose92]

Honestly I don't know, I have seen people using it for many different things...I will check!

[joppenheimer]

Really clever idea and good looking too!

[lindarose92]

Thank you so much! :)

[pmahi]

nice bracelet.

[lindarose92]

I'm glad you like it :)

[ctx1985]

That's such a cool idea! I never would have thought of that in a million years! And I have almost a million VHS tapes haha

[lindarose92]

Thank you so much!! I wanted to try this with cassette tapes too but I couldn't open them! :D

[sabu.dawdy]

welcome rose

[andrea biffi]

awesome! please add it to the Green Design Contest... this is a great way to recycle something unused and very polluting!

[lindarose92]

I wanted to but I have already entered it to 3 contests and that's the limit! Between the Epilog Challence and the Green Design Contest I chose the first one...guess why...!! :D

[Tarun Upadhyaya]

Wow :). Thanks for sharing your awesomeness Linda :).

[lindarose92]

Thank You so much Tarun!! :)

[Bobey]

Would you please look at my instructables I am so nice to other people's instructables but all I get is bad comments

[lindarose92]

That's weird, people are always so nice here...I am going to take a look :)

[Bobey]

Who would think of making it out of VHS tape that is awesome:-)

[lindarose92]

I am glad you like it! :)

[sabu.dawdy]

i loved your idea :)

[lindarose92]

Thank you so much :)