Bling Bam Bangle began as a test of ribbing stitches for a simple crochet bangle. At the time (September 2012) I was preparing to teach a crochet jewelry class at a CGOA conference in Reno, Nevada. My goal was a comfortable crochet bracelet that doesn’t require a clasp. A stretchy ribbed one would slide on and off the wrist for a soft crochet bangle.

I originally planned to make two and then compare them: a single crochet rib one, and a slip stitch rib one. Instead, I amused myself by adding a mock clasp. It reminds me of Bamm-Bamm Rubble, the baby boy who hit everything with a stone club in the The Flintstones cartoon.

Two years later in December 2014, I tried a holiday version: a sequined strand held together with different colors of my Lotus yarn. I couldn’t stop! I made a dozen, and tried seven different kinds of ribbed stitches.

This pattern offers four stretchy versions, in keeping with the original goal of a simple, stretchy ribbed “bangle.” For details on all other variations, see the Flickr photo set link that is clickable within the pattern. (Also see this blog post that includes a link to my newsletter, “Crochet Ribs, Old & New Grooves” on the stretch factor of different ribbed crochet stitches.)

The quirky Bam-Bam clasp is just for bang (impact). It’s crocheted last, and you can leave it off altogether. Customizing notes are included.

Skill Level: Easy. The ribbed cuff part of the bracelet is Beginner level, although crocheting a sequined strand held together with a smooth yarn may be challenging for beginners. The original bracelet, in rustic colors (see at left) was crocheted with no “bling” (sequined strand). The clasp is an Easy level combination of slip stitches and bobbles.

Crocheters at the Beginner skill level: You’ll enjoy the ribbed band. You just need to know how to crochet into the back loop of single crochets {UK: dc} in rows. First, try the bangle with one strand of a smooth yarn. Then try crocheting a strand of your yarn held together with a fancy strand to get used to crocheting double-stranded. Then, try the skill-building slip stitch and the half double {UK: htr} versions.

After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to crochet four different kinds of crochet ribbing.
• How to crochet a simple ribbed bracelet, and how to count the rows easily.
• How to customize the width and fit of the bangle.
• How to crochet a decorative loop-and-post clasp.

Finished Dimensions
Approximately 1.25” {3.18 cm} wide with a 6” {15.25 cm} circumference. Exact gauge is not important, and many large sequins in some yarns can affect one’s stitching gauge, so the dimensions may vary a bit.

About the yarn:
One strand of Lotus was held together with a strand of a sequined novelty thread. One ball of Lotus yields 9 bangles; the smaller Lotus Snacks ball yields 3 bangles.

This pattern uses minimal pattern abbreviations. UK and Australian equivalents for American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are in brackets { }.