Pop-Top Bracelet

This Bracelet is easy to make. It's got 2 rows of ribbon, so of course it would be perfect to make with school colors! Ask your friends to save you the pop tops from soda cans and before long, you'll have plenty.  

30 Pop Tops and 2 yards of 5/8" wide grosgrain ribbon. Satin ribbon does not work well with this project because it can snag from time to time. If you want to make it with 2 different colors of ribbon then you will need 1 yard of each. You will also need scissors and a hot glue gun.

Make sure the pop tops are all identical, they come in different shapes and slightly different sizes. You will need to remove any sharp edges with needle nose pliers. 

Place 2 pop tops next to each other. Hold with your thumb and finger. Notice how one is slightly overlapping the other and facing opposite directions. Cut the ends of the 2 ribbons at an angle so they are pointed and easy to thread through the holes in the pop tops.

1. Push the first ribbon through the bottom left hole.  
2  push the other end in the hole above it, pull tightly, leaving about 4 or 5 inches hanging at the bottom.

Push the ribbon through the top hole from the back toward the front and pull tightly.

Fold the ribbon down and hold with your thumb. 

Place another Pop Top above the last one and hold with your thumb, notice how I am alternating the direction of each one.

Push the pointy end of ribbon through the left side holes of the second and 3rd pop tops. Pull tightly to the back.

Place the 4th pop top above and facing the opposite direction of the previous one. Hold in place with your thumb.

Push ribbon through holes just like you did on the 3rd pop top, pull tightly.


Add another pop top, alternationg direction. 

Thread the second ribbon in exactly the same way that you did the first one, pulling tightly.


Continue threading the ribbon on the right side until it is woven through all 5 pop tops.


Periodically, you will need to cut the frayed edges of the ribbons so they are easier to thread through the holes. 

Fold both ribbons down and add another pop top. thread both ribbons through the bottom half of the newest pop top and through the top half of the previous pop top. Pull both ribbons toward the back.

Notice how, because the directions of the pop tops are alternating, it's creating a scalloped edge on both sides of the bracelet.


Continue adding pop tops, pulling ribbons tightly after each one.  

Bring both ends of bracelet together.


Overlap one end over the other so it's a continuous overlapping in the same direction as the rest of the pop tops.


Thread 2 of the ribbons through the front of holes toward the back and pull tightly. 

Tie the top of one ribbon to the bottom of the same ribbon in a knot. Repeat wth the other ribbon.

Trim off excess ribbon, leaving 1-1/2" to 2" on all 4 ends. Cut at an angle so it doesn't unravel. Hot glue ends of ribbons down to the inside of bracelet. If you need yours a little smaller, use only 29 pop tops.

Make several in different colors!


You could even make a belt with pop tops. Measure your waist and multiply times 2 or 3.